6. Bailey
Save Me


"What's your name?" Lena asked Zack as he stared out the window. She had crawled her way to the front, pouting until we let her sit between Zack and I.
"Uh..." Zack looked at me, wide-eyed. "I'm Zacky..."
"Why you have rings in your face?" She asked putting her hand towards his face, his eyes got even bigger - I couldn't help but laugh lightly as the 4 year old grilled him.
"Uh..."
"Lena, why don't you tell Zacky how old you are - tell him you're starting school in the spring?"
"Zacky I'm 4!" She smiled shoving two fingers in his face.
"Uh, that's cool..." He said awkwardly. "I uh..."
"You go school?" She asked.
"No..." He looked at me- probably wanting to be saved.
Nahh Not yet.
"Mommy where Billy?" Lena suddenly asked. "mama-Billy!"
"Shit." I heard Aunt Janet mutter before she started rummaging through things, frantically searching for Billy..
"Billy?" Zacky mouthed looking at me.
"Maaammmy." Lena started to cry. "We lefted him!"
"It's okay..." Zack said awkwardly as the little girl clung to his arm.
"I'm sorry, we've been on trains and buses for two days... She's just upset..." Aunt Jan said still searching. "Dear, did you see Billy?"
"She had him when we got on the bus to come here..." He shrugged. “See, this is why we should fly.”
Aunt Jan’s glare put a shiver down all of our spines.
She cried for another few minutes until finally Aunt Jan found the small blue fluff ball called Billy.
"BILLY!" The four year old shrieked reaching for the small stuffed bunny. "Zacky look!" She smiled proudly. "Billy." She cooed leaning her head against Zacky's arm.
It soon got quiet, everyone was pretty well worn out... That would leave me some time alone - maybe I'll go see Spirit.
It wasn't too much longer and we arrived back at the farm. I was glad to be home, I forgot how uncomfortable it was to be around family... and this isn't even all of them - my aunt Jenny and Uncle Mike were the worst.
"Alright, make yourselves at home..." I said as I shut off the truck.
"Shh." Zack said quietly.
"Wha-"
I looked over, Aunt Janet let out an Awe, Lena had fallen asleep curled up in Zack's chest. She was sucking her thumb, her other hand latched onto Billy.
"I'll carry her inside.... where do you want her?" Zack asked quietly.
I took him to the small guest room we had made up for them, the other guest room was for Jenny and Mike. I just assumed Zack would stay in my room - and I would get the couch or something.
"Follow us dear, I'll show you where we normally stay." Aunt Jan said softly.
I hung up Pa's keys, I could hear everyone talking and laughing... the normal once a year catch up I guess.
"Hey Dear, you want to come in with us?" Ma asked.
"I'm gonna go see Spirit... Take him out..." I said, my eyes flickering to the living room where they seemed to have formed a circle.
I grabbed a bottle of water and walked down to the barn, Spirit didn't really react to me being there - not happy but not scared either... So I guess we're getting there.
"Hey buddy." I said as he walked up next to me. "Wanna go for a walk?"
I miss my old horse, She got excited... she nodded yes when I asked questions.... But I knew one day Spirit and I could get to that place, I knew that he would soon form a bond with me and do all the things I'm used to. One day.
I started prepping him, slowly because he was still a little jumpy but quick enough to where I could get the fuck out of here before Jen and Mike got here.
I got on Spirit, he fussed a little but he calmed after a second. Usually when a horse spooks like that, I won't go but what's the worst that could happen?
Soon as we got down the field and to the creek the wind hit me and my hair danced in the wind - right there... right then - everything melted away.
I was free, if only for another few minutes - it didn't matter...
It only mattered that for this second - I am free.

Notes