“I told you Molly, she’s not an angel and, no, I can’t paint now. I have to go out for a while,” Lisa said as she grabbed some paper and a pen from the junk drawer. She began to write a note for her mom saying she was going to visit a friend.
It’s not really a lie, she reasoned as she penned the words. Jupiter is my friend and so is Mr. Pickering. She could hear her mom moving around in the laundry room and hurried to finish the note. She felt bad sneaking out before her mom came into the kitchen, but she knew if she asked her if she could go, her mom would probably have some more chores for her to do. And I’ve got to get over there while the horses are still outside, reasoned Lisa. I haven’t ridden Jupiter for ages. I can always help Mom this afternoon. I won’t even wait for her to ask me.
After a hurried good-bye to Molly, Lisa rushed out the front door and began to run down the driveway. At the road, she turned toward Evergreen Manor and within a couple of minutes, reached the large front gate. She peeked through the gate but couldn’t tell if Jimmy was there or not. His car wasn’t in front of the Manor, but she knew it could be in the garage or around the back of the house as well.
Angelica and the horses were in plain sight. Angelica stood with her back to the Manor, leaning on the fence and watching the horses. They were grazing peacefully again, switching their tails at the occasional fly and enjoying the autumn grass.
Angelica and Jupiter saw Lisa at the same time. Angelica waved to her to come over and Jupiter began to trot toward her, his head and tail high in the air. Lisa slipped through the fence bordering the driveway and ran toward him.
“Jupie,” she whispered in his ear when he shoved his coal black head down so she could pet him. “You are so beautiful and I am so glad you live right next door, if you can’t be my own.” The black gelding nickered to her and Lisa hugged him around the neck. “We’re so lucky it was Mr. Pickering that bought our house and not someone like Jimmy.” She twisted her fingers in his long silky mane and the two of them walked together toward Angelica.
“Good morning,” she said shyly to the older girl.
“It is a wonderful morning,” agreed Angelica and smiled. She was even more beautiful in the daylight and Lisa wondered again why she hadn’t seen Angelica in the neighbourhood before. She must have just moved here because otherwise I would have noticed her, she thought. She’s like a movie star or something. Only prettier. No wonder Molly thinks she’s an angel.
“Where’s Jimmy?” asked Lisa, dropping her eyes.
“He left early this morning. Alone. I do not know where Mr. Pickering is,” replied Angelica. “There has been no sign of movement from inside the house, and no one came out to take care of the horses.”
“He probably knew that I’d take care of them, so he didn’t bother,” said Lisa and turned toward Jupiter to pet him. “I’m going to try to talk to Mr. Pickering today though, if he’s not too sick to come to the door. I wanted to ask him about Jimmy and it’s the perfect opportunity now that Jimmy’s gone. He’ll like to see the horses too. They looked so beautiful running this morning that I’m sure they’ll make him feel better.”
“You saw them running?” asked Angelica, looking at her with tawny eyes.
Lisa nodded. “I took my little sister for a walk to the top of that hill,” she said pointing. “Molly thinks you’re an angel,” she added and laughed, but even to her own ears, the laugh sounded forced.
Angelica noticed the strain in Lisa’s voice. “What is wrong?” she asked, her face serious.
At first Lisa didn’t know what to say. How can I tell her that she makes me nervous? she wondered. There is so much energy around her, it’s almost as if she glows sometimes. And how can I say that she’s so beautiful she actually looks like she could be an angel if she had wings. The only thing that doesn’t scare me very much is that she can talk to horses. I’ve heard of horse whisperers before.
“You do not need to feel uncomfortable around me, Lisa,” Angelica quietly continued. “I am here to help you. I know I may not seem like a normal person but …”
“You’re so pretty,” interrupted Lisa. It seemed the safest of the strange things to mention to Angelica.
“Do not remind me. It is not that great being pretty. Believe me,” said Angelica as she raised an eyebrow. When Lisa looked at her with a doubtful face, Angelica laughed. “I am serious,” she said. “Just imagine what it is like to have everyone look at you no matter where you are or who you are with. I can not go anywhere or do anything without everyone noticing me. Some people like me too much and other people act like they hate me, all because of the way I look. And neither are that interested in getting to know me. You know, the real person that I am. That is why I like horses so much. They do not care what I look like.”
Lisa looked at the ground as she thought about what Angelica had said. She’s right, Lisa finally decided. Even I was suspicious of her because of the way she looks. But not anymore. She looked up. “Sorry.”
“Hey, I am glad you are honest with me,” said Angelica. “Most people do not think to ask how I feel about the way I look. They do not realize how much it sucks!”
Lisa laughed. She liked Angelica’s sense of humour too.
“Did you see me ride Jupiter?” asked Angelica, reaching out to stroke the black neck.
“Yeah, and without a saddle or a bridle,” said Lisa. “How did you do that?”
“It is easy,” answered Angelica. “I can tell you how. Do you want to try?”
Lisa swallowed. She trusted Jupiter more than any horse in the world but she had never ridden without a saddle or bridle before. What if she fell off?
“He will be careful,” said Angelica. When Jupiter snorted, she leaned over and kissed him on the face. “He promises,” she added to Lisa.
“Okay,” said Lisa and waited for Angelica to climb through the fence and give her a boost onto Jupiter’s broad back. Once aboard, Lisa grabbed at his mane.
“He is easy to free-ride,” said Angelica, patting Jupiter on the shoulder. “He reacts to all of the leg aids to turn or go faster and you can use “whoa” to ask him to stop.”
Lisa signalled to Jupiter to turn to the left. Smoothly he walked into the pasture. Firefly, Topper and Dakota began to file along behind him as Angelica climbed back through the fence. She leaned on the top rail and watched them walk into the centre of the field, then called to Lisa. “Hey Lisa, I am going to go ring the doorbell for Mr. Pickering. I am sure he would like to watch you free-ride Jupiter.”
Lisa turned and looked back. “He would love to see them all. Maybe I’ll even get Jupie to trot,” she yelled and then straightened on the black gelding’s back. She asked Jupiter to turn to the left again and the other horses followed him in a large arc. By the time they were walking toward the house again, Angelica was almost at the front door. Lisa watched her climb the few steps onto the small porch and ring the doorbell.
“Whoa,” Lisa said to Jupiter when they were back where they had started. She watched Angelica standing at the door for a minute, but the door didn’t open. Would Mr. Pickering be sleeping this late? she wondered. Or is he just too sick today? No, he must be asleep. Jimmy wouldn’t have left if Mr. Pickering was very sick. Jimmy may be a jerk but even he’s not that clueless.
Lisa turned Jupiter into the pasture again. She let him walk along the fence line for a few steps then urged him into a trot. Jupiter sprang forward, and Lisa grabbed onto his mane. Then she asked him to canter. The bouncing trot ended abruptly as Jupiter flowed into a slow, steady canter. He tucked his head in as if he was wearing a bridle and was collected, even without Lisa having reins to use.
“You are such a good horse, Jupie,” said Lisa leaning forward. Suddenly Firefly raced up on Jupiter’s left and passed them. Immediately Jupiter broke into a gallop. Lisa felt her heart begin to pound faster, matching Jupiter’s racing hoof beats. She clung low over his neck, her white knuckles gripping his mane. His black hair whipped into her face making her eyes sting.
Now Topper was alongside them too, slowly surging ahead as they turned the corner and continued to gallop along the fence. Jupiter was having none of that. His body stretched low to the ground as he moved from a gallop into a full run.
For a moment, Lisa was terrified but then she began to feel Jupiter’s excitement. He was giving her the ride of her life. She clung to his back like a burr and urged him on. Slowly, they began to gain on Topper. By the time they reached the turn in the fence, they were ahead of him. Firefly’s red hindquarters were in front of them, her tail streaming out in the wind.
“Go Jupie,” yelled Lisa. It was all the encouragement he needed. With a last burst of speed, he drew alongside the chestnut mare. For a moment they were running neck and neck, black and red, then the black pulled ahead.
“Whoa, Jupie,” said Lisa calmly. “Whoa now. We’ve won. Whoa.” The black gelding began to slow and soon he was cantering, then trotting, and finally walking. Lisa turned him back toward the gate and all the horses turned with her. Sweat beaded their shoulders and they were all breathing heavily. Angelica was back at the gate and stood watching them approach.
“That was amazing!” said Lisa when they reached Angelica. She laughed out loud as she slid from Jupiter’s back. “I can’t believe how fantastic it was! I’ve got to do that more often!”
Chapter 14
Lisa stopped talking when she noticed the serious look on Angelica’s face. “What’s wrong?” she asked.
“Mr. Pickering did not come to the door,” said Angelica.
“Couldn’t that mean he’s just sleeping?” asked Lisa.
Angelica’s face relaxed slightly. “Maybe I worry too much,” she replied, but Lisa noticed that her eyes were still concerned.
“Maybe we could try again in a little while,” suggested Lisa. “Jimmy wouldn’t have left him here if there was anything wrong.”
Angelica looked at Lisa for a moment as if trying to decide what to do. Finally she nodded her head. “We could clean the stable while we wait. It’s a good time since the horses are outside.”
Lisa agreed. “Let’s do a really good job again too. It’ll be nice to see the horses in clean stalls for two days in a row.”
“I agree,” said Angelica with a smile.
It took almost two hours to thoroughly clean the stable. After Lisa finished sweeping the aisle in front of the stalls, she looked around with pride. The stalls had been cleaned and filled with sweet smelling bedding, the troughs filled with a light lunch for the horses, the floor of the stable swept clean of any stray hay wisps, and the tack had been cleaned and neatly organized in the tack room. Lisa sighed contently. It was nice to see the stable look and smell the way it should.
Angelica emerged from the tack room with a grooming kit in her hand. “I am going to start brushing the horses,” she said as she moved toward the stable door.
“Good idea,” said Lisa. “I’ll be out in a minute to help.” She hung the broom in the tack room, then moved to each stall and opened the doors in preparation for bringing the horses in from the pasture. Finally, she grabbed a horse blanket from the tack room and carried it into their little cave in the haystack. She pushed back the loose hay on the floor of their hay cave with her foot, leaving the centre of their hideout clean and bare, and then arranged the horse blanket over one of the bales of hay.
Just as she was about to leave the stable, Lisa paused and looked back. The stable was so peaceful and fresh and pretty. I wish I had appreciated this place when I lived here, she thought. I didn’t realize how lucky I was then. With a sad shake of her head, she walked outside, pulling the door shut behind her.
Angelica was busy brushing Dakota. The little Appaloosa pony was enjoying being pampered. He stretched out his neck and closed his eyes as Angelica used the body brush to loosen the dirt and dust from his coat. Lisa grabbed another body brush and began to groom Jupiter. Soon his coat was glistening, and his mane and tail were tangle-free and smooth. The silky hair fluttered in the slight breeze. Angelica finished with Dakota and moved on to Topper, leaving Firefly for Lisa to groom. Quietly they worked side by side, both comfortable in their silence, while the horses dozed.
When they were finally finished, Lisa glanced at her watch. “I can’t believe it’s so late,” she said in surprise. “It’s almost 2 p.m. Today has just been so much fun that time has disappeared.”
“I know,” agreed Angelica. “I enjoyed it too.” She untied both Dakota and Topper and led them toward the stable. “Do you have to go home soon?” she asked over her shoulder.
“Yeah,” replied Lisa. “I have to help my mom with some chores around the house this afternoon, but I hope I can come back tonight after I finish my homework.” She untied Firefly and Jupiter and led them behind the other two horses.
The horses were glad to see their lunch waiting for them in the clean stalls. When Lisa led Jupiter into his stall he buried his nose in his oats with vigour. “It’s so nice to see him eating well again,” said Lisa. “I was starting to get worried about him.”
Angelica laughed. “Well he is certainly trying to catch up on the food he has missed,” she said. “He is acting as if he has not eaten for a week.”
When Angelica and Lisa moved to leave, there were no whinnies of farewell. The horses’ mouths were too full, and they were concentrating on their oats.
After another unsuccessful attempt to wake Mr. Pickering, Lisa and Angelica walked up the driveway. “What time are you coming back tonight?” asked Angelica, finally breaking the silence when they reached the road.
“I can probably come around 11 p.m. Dad’s gone and Mom will be in bed by then for sure,” said Lisa. “It’ll be an easy night to get out.”
“Lisa, if we can not speak to Mr. Pickering soon, we will have to tell someone about him being sick and alone. Something may have happened to him,” said Angelica. When Lisa nodded in agreement, Angelica continued. “And they will probably tell your mother and father.”
Lisa looked down at the ground. “My dad will be so mad with me,” she said in a quiet voice. “They would both start watching me all the time and I wouldn’t be able to get out to see Jupiter anymore. Who would take care of him then?”
“If Mr. Pickering is hurt, we need to get help for him,” said Angelica. “What if he has fallen? What if he needs medicine?”
Lisa’s face grew a little paler and she was silent for a moment. “Couldn’t we sneak into the house and see for ourselves?” she finally asked, her voice strained. “Since Jimmy’s gone it would be easy to do. Even if they tried to lock all the windows and doors, I’m sure I could find a way inside. Then we could check on Mr. Pickering ourselves.”
“If he is resting and finds us in his house, would he not be angry?” asked Angelica. “Would he not telephone your mother and father anyway?”
“Hey, that’s it. I could try to phone him,” suggested Lisa. “He probably has a phone by his bed.”
“Okay,” agreed Angelica. “Tell me tonight what you find out and, if you can not talk to him, we will make a new plan. Do you want me to meet you outside your house?”
“Sure, I’ll see you at 11 p.m.,” replied Lisa as she turned away. But she didn’t step forward. When she didn’t hear Angelica walk away from her, she turned back. “Do you really think something may have happened to him?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper and her eyes grave.
Angelica looked sad. “I do not know,” she said softly. “But there is something wrong. What it is I can not tell yet.” She paused and looked deep into Lisa’s eyes. “Is there something you want to tell me?”
Lisa tried to turn away from the golden eyes but she couldn’t. She felt mesmerized, entranced, as if Angelica was pulling the truth from her. “It’s nothing,” she finally stammered. “I’m sure it’s nothing.”
“What is this nothing?” asked Angelica.
“I’ll tell you tonight,” said Lisa. “Maybe. I can’t tell you now. I need to think first. I need to think if it’s ev
en that important.”
Angelica looked at her for a long moment, then finally nodded. Lisa forced herself to turn toward home. She kicked the ground as she hurried away, rolling tiny rocks in front of her. Once she almost turned back to call Angelica to wait. To tell her she wanted to talk about it right then. But no! she commanded herself at the last instant. Dad couldn’t have done anything to Mr. Pickering. From the back of her mind, the idea rose, an unwelcome thought. But Dad left earlier than usual this morning. Could it be because he knew Jimmy was going to be gone? Did my dad really mean what he said on the patio? And even if he did mean it, he wouldn’t really hurt Mr. Pickering, would he?
Lisa’s thoughts turned back two nights to the night before Angelica had arrived. She had been sneaking back to her house in the dark after visiting the horses when she had overheard her mom and dad talking on the patio. They were arguing quietly in the dark. Lisa stood frozen in her steps, listening. She couldn’t risk moving forward or backward. A twig might crack underfoot or Neptune might bark at her and she would be discovered. So she held as still as she could in the shadows, grateful she had been creeping close to the big hydrangea when she had heard the voices. The bush was tall and thick and easy to hide behind.
“I promise you I’ll get it back,” her dad had suddenly burst out. Lisa’s mom had said something in response, but her words were lost in the thump of footsteps walking across the patio. Lisa’s dad stood right beside her, leaning onto the railing above her head and staring out into the darkness. Lisa shrunk back into the bush as far as she could, and held her breath.
“I promise you, Emily,” Lisa’s dad had said to her mom, “I will get our home back, and I don’t really care how.”
“It’s not that important,” said Lisa’s mom, walking toward him. “It’s just a house, Edward.”
“Just a house? Just a house?” Lisa’s dad had roared. When Lisa’s mom tried to shush him he only yelled louder. “How can you say that, Emily? It’s been in my family for generations. It’s the girls’ inheritance. It’s…it’s my life!”
“Oh Edward, it’s not your life,” Lisa’s mom had said quietly. Lisa could imagine her shaking her head. “There are so many things more important than a house. It’s your pride that’s been hurt. Not your life.” When there was no reply, Lisa’s mom walked closer to her husband, but then suddenly her steps had retreated and Lisa imagined that her dad had shrugged away her mom’s embrace. Her mom’s voice came again from the doorway and Lisa could tell she was on the verge of tears. “You need to rethink what’s important. Stone and brick and wood are not important. It’s just a house, Edward. You need to open your eyes to what really matters.” Then she firmly pulled the door shut behind her and silence had again pervaded the night.