Sundancer (9 page)

“You don't have to go yet, do you?” Eva pouted.

“I'm sure he's a busy man,” said Randy forcefully. He took Eva's arm and began to steer her toward the house.

“Yes, I must, but I'll see you again.” Stuart got in his car and rolled down his window. “Your sister promised to invite me for dinner.”

“Oh goody. Bye, Stuart!” Eva blew him a kiss.

“See what I have to put up with?” Randy said to Hannah. “She's a terrible flirt. All the time. I can't turn my back for a minute.”

“Oh, you big, strong, man. You're jealous.” Eva kissed him on the lips, and Randy appeared momentarily mollified.

Bird rested her head on the strong trunk of the tree. She felt exhausted. They would be here for three whole days.

Down on the front steps, she heard Hannah think the same thing.

6
COMPANY

I am smarter than most people, and most people do not understand this about me. It causes problems.

Everyone disappeared into the house. It was safe for Bird to come down.

All yours, Red. See you later
.

Not too soon, I hope
.

Bird climbed the fence and went over to Sundancer. She needed to tell him what she'd overheard between Dr. Paul and Hannah in the house.

I've got something to tell you, Sundancer
.

As she neared, the horse visibly stiffened up. Don't come any closer, Bird girl
.

Why not?

Just don't
. The big gelding flattened his ears and threatened to kick.

Bird was alarmed.
What's wrong, Sunny?

Nothing. I'm having a bad day. It happens. Now scram before you're sorry you stayed
.

You were fine earlier. You taught me to skip! Has something happened?

Don't push it. Get lost
.

Okay, but I'll be back. We have to talk. It's important
.

Bird made her way back to the house feeling hollow inside. She didn't know what was worse: Sundancer ignoring her, or having him send her away. She thought she'd gotten through. Now, she wasn't so sure. Not for the first time, Bird was struck by the unique nature of the new horse. He had moods to reckon with. She needed to learn this and be patient.

Bird quietly crept in the back door. She hopped up on the kitchen counter and wiggled into the space on top of the fridge. It was one of her favourite listening spots. People rarely looked up when they were talking, and she'd heard many interesting things at this post. Kitchen, hallway, living room — Bird could hear it all. She momentarily put her worries about the horse aside. It was time to find out what was going on with the people.

Hannah led the way into the living room followed by the faithful Hector, who was limping painfully. “Let's get everybody settled,” she said brightly. “I'll show you to your rooms, and then we can talk about what you'd like to do this afternoon.” To Bird, her voice sounded forced and overly cheerful.

“Can you hang this up for me?” asked Randy. He handed Hannah his coat. “It's a Burberry. I got it in England.” He sniffed proudly. “Belted.”

“Of course,” Hannah answered. Bird couldn't see what was transpiring in the hall, but she heard every word clearly. “It'll be right here in the hall closet.”

Bird heard the clinks of hangers as Hannah found one for

Randy's coat.

“Let me,” said Randy. There was a scraping sound as he squeezed all of the other coats over to one side of the closet and hung his separately. “There,” he said. “This is how I like it hung, not touching other coats, and with the belt flattened properly in the loops.”

Bird chuckled. Ooh, I could have some fun with this.

“I'd like to see Bird now, please, Aunt Hannah,” said Julia softly. “If I could.”

“I didn't forget, Julia,” replied Hannah. “I'm not sure where Bird is, but she knows where you are. You know what she's like; she's probably waiting until she can see you alone.”

Bird smiled. True.

“Talking about Bird?” asked Randy as he shut the closet door. He whispered audibly, “To tell the truth, living in a house with an autistic child is not my idea of a good time. Eva had to talk me into this visit. I'm not proud of it, but there, I admit it. I'm honestly not looking forward to meeting her.”

Hannah's voice was cool. “Bird's not autistic. She has elective mutism. She chooses not to talk, but aside from that, she's perfectly normal. In fact, she's exceptionally bright.”

“Eva says she's autistic,” stated Randy. “In my book, if the kid doesn't talk, she's autistic.”

Don't even bother, Hannah, thought Bird. It's not worth it.

Hannah took a deep breath. “Randy, it's not always as simple as we'd like. Bird has decided not to talk. We don't know why, but we do know she's able to. Two weeks ago she said a word.”

“She said a word?” asked Eva from the living room. Bird heard her high heels clack-clacking into the hall. “What word?”

“She named a horse. Sundancer. The one she fell off.”

“Calm down, Eva.” Randy sounded annoyed. “What's it to you, Eva?”

“I care about Bird.” Eva replied quickly, reining in her emotions. “She's my niece, after all.”

“No, Mom,” corrected Julia, “She's your d —”

“Come, sweetie!” sang out Eva loudly. “Let's bring our bags upstairs. Auntie Hannah said you can sleep in Bird's room. We're going to have such a fun time!” Eva kept a running monologue all the way up the stairs. “We'll go riding, we'll see animals. There are kittens, I'm sure!”

Julia's smaller heels clacked up the stairs as she followed along.

“You love pussycats, don't you, darling? Randy does, too!”

Hannah walked into the kitchen, unaware of Bird. She talked to herself under her breath. “It'll be fine. It will be fine. Only three days.”

Bird watched as Hannah plugged in the kettle then artfully arranged freshly made banana bread and chocolate brownies on a plate. She placed the cups, the creamer and sugar bowl set, and the teaspoons with the fancy inlaid handles on her best tray. She also took a pitcher of lemonade out of the fridge, which she carried out to the screened-in porch off the kitchen and put down beside the coffee. With bright-blue napkins, a bowl of overflowing fruit, and a fresh flower arrangement, the table looked beautiful to Bird and ready for the finest company. Too good for Eva.

“Where's Bird?” asked a small voice. Julia stood behind Hannah with her toes together, wearing pale-pink jeans and a tiny, tight white halter top that showed off her navel and flat little-girl tummy. Bird expected that Eva would show up in the same outfit.

“Julia! You surprised me,” exclaimed Hannah. “Bird will find you in her own time, honey. I was just getting ready to serve tea. Are Randy and your mom ready?”

“Not yet. They're in their room.”

“Do you want to go and tell them tea is ready when they are?”

It was time. Bird descended from the fridge, surprising them both.

“Bird! There you are!” Julia grabbed her sister tightly. “I miss you, Bird. Come back with us, please?”

Bird drew back from the hug first and took a long look at her sister's outfit. Something needed to be done. Bird disappeared into the laundry room and quickly emerged with one of her own clean white tee shirts. She put it over Julia's head and Julia worked her arms through. Bird smiled. Much better, she thought. Julia smiled back.

“What are you wearing?” cried Eva as she stormed into the kitchen. Bird stepped back and and slid behind the door. She wasn't ready to face her mother. Not yet.

“Take that off! It's miles too big!”

Bird peeked around the doorframe at her mother. I knew it, she thought. Eva wore a much-too-tight halter top, and overly snug pink jeans, just like Julia's. She pulled the white T-shirt off Julia before her daughter could protest. It caught one of Julia's earrings and she winced in pain.

“What right do you have to dress my daughter?” Eva demanded of Hannah.

“I didn't dress your daughter. Your other daughter did.” Hannah glanced in Bird's direction and Eva swung around to look.

Here we go, thought Bird.

“Bird?”

Bird stood back and looked her mother over. Her dark eyes scanned Eva from her pink barrettes to her navel ring, to her high-heeled sandals. Then she looked coolly into her mother's face.

“Don't look at me like that,” whined Eva. She was disconcerted, and turned on Hannah. “Fine welcome. I haven't seen her in two years and that's all I get? A gross stare? What have you been doing to her, Hannah? She wasn't this bad when I left her here.”

Bird's stomach began to ache. Her mother hadn't seen her at all. The only thing she cared about was how people saw her.

“Let's have tea, shall we?” Hannah said lightly, ushering them out to the porch. “Then we'll get outside and enjoy this nice day. We'll go for a ride through the woods.”

Bird could not imagine sitting down for tea with her mother. She waited until the group made their way onto the porch, then slithered back up to her fridge-top lookout as Randy joined the others at the table. He looked like he was dressed for a part in a western movie. New black cowboy boots, new jeans, white cotton shirt with buttons undone to show off his chest, all topped with a black cowboy hat.

“Howdy, Randy,” Hannah said. Bird giggled quietly.

“Hannah,” said Randy gruffly. “You're making fun of me.”

“Not at all,” answered Hannah. “You look ready for our ride. I'm glad, because there are horses out in the barn getting tacked up. As soon as we like, we'll head out to the range. I mean, out for a ride.”

IN THE STABLES, CLIFF had prepared horses for the guests. Sir Galahad had been brought out of retirement for Randy. Stately and slow, the old foxhunter with his regal bearing and glossy mahogany coat pleased the eye and boosted the confidence of any rider.

Lady Sadie was the perfect choice for Eva. The beautiful and dainty quarter horse with her bay coat and black points was elderly now, but in her prime had been a ribbon winner for the barn. Hannah had even asked Cliff to put pink leg wraps on the mare to please Eva. She squealed happily when she saw them.

Bird lingered at the stall door, watching Sundancer graze in the field. He was tense, still. She could tell by the way he moved.
I wish I could ride you again today
. Bird imagined how they would sail over the fields farther and farther from Eva and Randy. She waited for a response, but none came. Reluctantly, she turned her attention to Eva and the others.

Cliff was having a hard time taking his eyes off Eva, who was posing for him shamelessly as Randy glowered.

Even Julia looked angry. She caught Bird's eye and frowned, then focused on her pony instead of her mother. Sturdy and dependable, Timmy did his job with no complaints, and pulled no fast ones. Cliff had braided pink ribbons into his black mane and wrapped his legs in pink. Timmy was somewhat grumpy to be dressed in such a silly manner.

You still look masculine, Timmy
.

Easy for you to say, girl. You don't have pink ribbons in your mane. And if you did you could take them out
.

“Why can't Julia ride this one?” asked Eva, puckering her lips. She was standing at the stall of Sabrina, a delicate chestnut Welsh pony with flaxen mane and tail, and a white blaze down her feminine face. “It looks just like the pony I rode when I was Julia's age. Gingerbread Man.”

Here comes trouble, thought Bird.

“Uh … because … uh,” stammered Cliff.

Hannah answered for him. “Because Sabrina is not for beginners, Eva. She's really feisty.”

“And really pretty,” cooed Eva. “Her mane is the exact shade of our hair! Wouldn't Julia look bee-oot-iful on her?” Eva stroked the little Welsh mare's upturned nose, and ran a finger along her shiny chestnut coat. “Wouldn't she, Cliff?”

Yes, Bird thought. Julia would look bee-oot-iful on Sabrina. For one minute, max.

“Timmy's a handsome guy, too,” said Hannah, throwing a cold look at Cliff. “And he'll get her home safely. Sabrina, on the other hand, might decide to turn around and run back to the barn.”

And leave Julia on the ground, Bird finished.

“Let's let Julia decide,” Eva persisted. “Julia, which pony would you like to ride. That fat one, or this gorgeous one?”

Julia said, “I'd rather ride the fat one today, thank you. When I've practised a bit, maybe I'll ride Sabrina.”

Smart choice, thought Bird, impressed with her sister's good sense.

But Eva was upset. “No! I want you to ride Sabrina. You'll look so pretty on her.”

“Just do as Eva says, Hannah,” grumbled Randy. “She'll be mad all day if you don't.”

Hannah spoke clearly, and Bird could hear anger creeping into her voice. “Eva, Julia will be safer on Timmy for a hack outside, and her safety is my responsibility. I'll make you a deal. When we get back, I'll tack up Sabrina and Julia can ride her in the arena.”

“Why not now?” Eva said to Cliff, totally ignoring Hannah.

“Because Timmy's tacked up.” Hannah stepped between them. “Let's get outside and up on our horses.”

Eva sulked. “I don't want to go now.”

“I told you,” Randy snorted. “If you don't give her what she wants, she'll be mad all day.”

“I can have Sabrina ready in two seconds,” Cliff piped in. Hannah glared at Cliff. He shrugged his shoulders helplessly.

Randy took charge. “Put Julia on Sabrina in the arena. If they get along, we go outside for a ride. Easy.” He folded his arms. “If you know what's good for you, Hannah.”

Hannah was ready to burst, but it was the look on Julia's face that upset Bird the most. She stood meekly, expressionless. All life and energy was gone.

Hannah saw it, too. She knelt beside her niece. “Julia? Are you feeling okay?”

Julia trembled slightly. “Yes, Aunt Hannah. I'll be fine, but I'm scared. I don't know how to ride. Should I get on Sabrina?” She glanced over at Bird, who nodded.

“I'll stay right with you, sweetie. You'll be fine.”

“Sabrina's ready!” shrieked Eva. “Darling Julia, you'll look so pretty on her. Randy, did you bring the camera?”

“It's in the house,” he answered. “I'll go get it.”

“Hurry! This'll be too cute! I'll frame this picture and set it next to the one of me on Gingerbread Man when I was nine. Julia, come!”

Bird gave Julia a small wave, then climbed up to the hayloft, which looked over the arena. The perfect place to watch.

Hannah and Julia walked into the arena where Cliff was holding Sabrina. “Honey, stand over there. I'm going to lunge Sabrina until Randy comes back with the camera. It'll get some of the pep out of her.”

Hannah attached the lunge line and clicked. Sabrina raced into a bucking canter. Around and around she tore like an animal possessed, while Julia stood outside the kickboards and watched in horror.

By the time Randy returned, Sabrina was already tiring. Hannah merely said, “Whoa,” and the pony slowed to a halt.

Hannah rolled up the lunge line and called to Julia. “Come in, sweetheart. She's good and tired. Let me pop you up into the saddle.” Bird felt sorry for Julia. Her sister was stiff with fright as Hannah lifted her up. “There you are. Don't worry. Grab the front of the saddle. Good. Now just relax. Take a deep breath. Very good. I'll lead her. You just sit there, okay?” Julia nodded stiffly.

Hannah led Sabrina around the arena at a walk. Slowly Julia began to relax. “That's better, Julia. This weekend, when your mother and Randy are busy doing something else, why don't you and Bird and I go for a ride together?”

Julia smiled brightly. “Yes, let's! And I can ride Timmy.” She looked up at the hayloft. Bird give her the thumbs-up.

“Randy's got the camera!” Eva yelled. “Hannah, get out of the picture!”

“I'm not letting go until Julia's ready,” Hannah called back to Eva.

“Doesn't she look just like me, Hannah?” Eva enthused. “The spitting image? Daddy used to call me his sugar pie, remember?”

Hannah nodded.

“What did he call you, Hannah?” Eva asked. “Julia, you know. What did Gramps call Auntie Hannah when she was a little girl?”

Julia didn't answer.

“Something sweet?” Eva prompted. Julia remained silent.

“Julia, you can say it,” Hannah said softly. “I don't care.”

“But it's not nice.”

“It's not bad. I don't mind one bit.” When Julia clamped her mouth shut, Hannah called out, “I remember, Eva. He called me lemon pie because I was so sour.”

“And I was sooo sweet! And Julia is just like me.”

“And Bird is like Hannah,” added Randy. “That's what Eva always says. Where is Bird anyway, Hannah? We haven't been officially introduced.”

I've been here all along, Bird thought. Randy was just like her mother — he didn't see what was right in front of him.

“I want to be like Hannah and Bird, too,” said Julia so gently that it was hard to hear what she'd said. She looked up at Bird for support.

“What did she say?” Eva asked Hannah.

“I said, I want to be like Hannah and Bird,” called Julia strongly. “I don't want to be a sugar pie!”

“Julia, that's enough!” exclaimed Eva.

“I want to be a lemon pie if Bird and Hannah are!”

Eva seethed, “I said that's enough!”

Sabrina didn't like the anger or the noise. She lifted her head and stiffened her neck.

“Easy, pony,” soothed Hannah. “Julia, stay calm.” Sabrina tossed her head. “Easy, girl,” said Hannah as she patted the small mare's neck and walked her away from the tension. “Grab her mane with both hands, Julia, just in case. It won't hurt her.”

“We have to take the picture!” Eva insisted. “Hannah, come back here. Julia is my daughter, not yours. You can't just walk away like that.”

This is getting ugly, Bird thought. I've got to do something.

Hannah spoke in as conciliatory a way as she could muster. “Can this keep until Julia is on the ground? Sabrina is reacting to your tone of voice.”

“I can speak how I want, when I want!” Eva opened the heavy wooden gate into the arena and marched in with her pink high-heeled sandals flapping dirt up onto her tight pink jeans.

The feisty mare put her weight onto her back legs and began to lift her fronts. “Sabrina, no!” Hannah gave the pony a stern reprimand.

Eva continued her march toward them. Hannah spoke firmly, “Eva, please. Stay back until I get Julia down.”

“Not until the picture is taken. And never, ever, turn away from me when I'm talking.” Eva was red in the face. She didn't seem to notice how close she got to Sabrina. The skittish pony took a small sideways hop and landed squarely on Eva's left foot.

Eva howled. “Randy! Randy! I'm crippled!” She doubled over. Tears flowed as she sobbed and hobbled toward the arena gate.

Randy opened the gate and grabbed her arm. “See what you've done?” He shot a nasty glare at Hannah. “This is not rocket science. You should just let her have her way.” He held Eva as she limped away dramatically.

Hannah stood holding Sabrina. Little Julia sat in the saddle, completely deflated. “Mommy's going to be mad for a very long time,” she whispered. Then suddenly, her face brightened.

Bird led Timmy into the arena. She handed his reins to Hannah and helped Julia down from Sabrina. In less than a minute, Julia was on Timmy's back and Bird was on Sabrina and the two of them were walking quietly around the arena.

Bird had Sabrina walking over poles on the ground, spaced for ponies' strides. Julia followed, mimicking Bird perfectly. Everything Bird did, Julia tried to copy. Julia would make great progress in just a few days.

Bird dismounted and opened the doors to the outside. She shot a questioning look at Hannah, and Hannah smiled. “Just an easy ride today, Bird, okay?”

Bird nodded. She led Sabrina out and Timmy and Julia followed. Bird was up in the saddle in a second, and the two girls grinned and waved at Hannah as they rode away for a pleasant hack in the woods.

This is the way it should be, Bird thought. Julia and me together, growing up as sisters. Not sisters like Hannah and Eva. She wondered for the first time about her mother as a child. Had she always been this selfish and spoiled? And why was Hannah so different? Sugar pie and lemon pie.

As they rode past Sundancer's field, Bird saw Cliff walking out with a halter and lead rope. Sundancer saw him, too.

Lookee here, Bird girl. I'm getting another baby session
.

Has she been on your back yet?

No. She's still making me obey ground commands. Whoop-de-doo
.

Today might be the day. Behave yourself, Sunny
.

I can't promise
.

Yes, you can. You have control of your actions, Sunny
.

Not always. Sometimes I lose my temper
.

I know, but try. I overheard Dr. Paul and Hannah talking and you're on probation. If you're bad, they'll put you to sleep. Permanently
.

Is that what you wanted to tell me earlier?

Yes, Sunny. But you were too grumpy to talk
.

I feel better, now. I'll behave myself for Hannah
.

Good. It's important
.

Bird and Julia walked on, waving to Cliff as he slipped the halter over Sundancer's head. She grinned broadly. Hannah had no idea what she and Sundancer were up to. Hannah believed that she was training him from the beginning, one step at a time. Bird didn't want to upset her plans, and anyway, Hannah's work was complementary to Bird's. The more this horse was worked the better he would become.