Ch. 7: Brownie the horse

Rachel’s mother had recommended a stable and good riding instructor for Violet. Her love of horses had been a constant in her life for a long time. For years, she dreamed she had a horse. In this dream, the wood paneling that made up the back of the house was replaced by two stables that were built into the house. She would run around to the back of the house, and her pony would stand, head over the door to the stable, and wait for her. Unfortunately, she would wake up without a pony to greet her during the daytime. It had taken her a while to decide she was ready for riding lessons. 

Ms. Shelly was a middle-aged woman whose dark hair was always pulled back into a ponytail through a baseball cap. She greeted Violet as she walked into the stable for the first time. “ Are you excited for your first riding lesson? We’re excited to have you”. For her mount, Shelly had selected a twenty-year-old gelding known for a very mellow disposition and often used to teach beginner riders, and after grooming and tacking up Brownie, the horse, Violet, followed Ms. Shelly to the covered arena to begin the lesson. Riding the horse felt different than what she had expected. Sitting on a moving, sentient being she hadn’t ever been on before was more intimidating than she had imagined. Ms. Shelly was a knowledgeable and encouraging instructor, kindly pointing out where she could improve and complimenting what she was doing well. Violet’s inner thighs felt sore by the end of her first lesson, but she was excited for her next lesson.

Oscar had come to pick her up from her lesson and smiled at her as she climbed into the vehicle. “ Did you have a good first lesson?” he asked. Violet thought before answering. “ It was harder than I thought, but I had a good time.”  They enjoyed a pleasant ride home, and Mildred also asked how the lesson went. Violet reiterated everything she had told her father and went to shower and get ready for dinner. As soon as she ran upstairs, Mildred turned to Oscar. “ Do you think it went well? What did you think of Ms. Shelly?”. He laughed before answering, “ I knew you would have questions once we got back. She seemed very nice, and Violet had a good time, so let’s see how it goes for a month or so”. Mildred nodded and smiled at her husband. “ I agree, and it’s nice she’s found something she enjoys.” 

The lessons continued for weeks that then turned into months. Violet became more confident each week and continued riding Brownie when he was available. Each horse she rode was an opportunity to practice her skills in a new way and experience what it was like to ride different-sized horses. Ms. Shelly was her regular instructor; however, when she wasn’t available, her daughter, Ms. Amanda, who was in her early twenties and loved horses just as much as her mother, would fill in.

Despite riding all of the horses, brownies were still her favorite. Violet was very distressed one day to learn that Brownie was for sale. She had overheard Ms. Shelly talking to Mrs. Amanda regarding the animal.
The owner is just looking for the right home for Brownie. Miss Amanda was perplexed about why the owner wanted to sell her middle-aged building. Miss Amanda continued, saying she’d had that horse for so long that I never imagined she would be willing to part with it. Her brow was furrowed, and the concern was evident on her face. Miss Shelly sighed. “She said something about her mother in Vermont having a stroke and wanting to move closer to that family in that area. From everything she tells me, Brownie really hates traveling. He has to be sedated when he’s going to ride in a trailer, and she just didn’t want to subject him to such a long trip, either.
Brownie was mostly her daughter’s horse, and her daughter is now living in Pennsylvania and doesn’t have the time or the space to keep riding Brownie. I told her I would let the riding students whose parents are looking for a good beginner horse know she was trying to find a good owner to sell him to. She’s not in any rush as she has already traveled to Vermont to be with her mom, and she can afford to keep paying the boarding fee until the right home is found.” Violet felt a sinking feeling in her stomach. As she turned around to head back to the bench where she was supposed to sit and wait for her lesson, Miss Amanda walked up behind her. “I didn’t know you were already here. You’re early.” She smiled down at Violet. Her hair was dark like her mother’s but a few shades lighter than Shelly’s. Violet hardly asked if it was confirmed that Brownie’s owner was trying to sell him? Amanda continued smiling at Violet. “Yes, she’s trying to find a new owner, but I wouldn’t worry about it yet.” Telling Violet she was very concerned, she continued that no one had put an offer in on Brownie yet. There was also a good chance that Brownie’s new owner would choose to keep him at the same stable, and you’d still get to see him. With this tepid reassurance, Violet walked with Miss Amanda back to the bench, where they gathered the other young pupils for their riding lesson. 
Oscar and Mildred could tell something was bothering Violet right when she got in the car after her riding lesson. Violet could not easily hide her emotions. Well, her siblings were more apprehensive to keep their feelings to themselves. Violet was always clear with what she wanted and what was bothering her, and today was no exception. She had barely gotten into the van when she exclaimed, “They’re selling Brownie!”. Oscar and Mildred looked at each other. Violet had a habit of launching into long conversations. They were more soliloquies without first providing background to the topic and what she was discussing. Oscar prompted her to remember, Violet, that you have to provide context. She took a deep breath and then started again.
“Dad, you know, is the miniature brown horse I told you about in my first lesson.” Oscar frowned. “I can’t say I remember any brown horse in particular,” Violet continued. “The one that I introduced you to and that you pat on the nose a few lessons later?” Recognition grew slowly, and Oscar’s eyes, “Yes, I do remember that, but I couldn’t tell you what that horse looked like.” Violet was annoyed with this detouring conversation and directed it back to the main point they would sell him. She exclaimed once more. Mildred tried to soothe her.
“There are other horses you have enjoyed riding there, and I’m sure that Brownie will go to a good home,” Mildred suggested that if you find out who has him, we can visit him occasionally. “That would be nice, I guess,” Violet sighed. Oscar and Mildred looked at each other. Violet wanting a horse was not something new. What was new was that they could finally afford to buy Violet the horse she had always desired. A distant uncle had passed away, had no children, and left his estate to Mildred. They had saved a sizable chunk of it, and there was some left that they were trying to decide what to do. Oscar had suggested that they buy Brownie if he was ever for sale. Mildred insisted that whatever was purchased needed to be something all the children could enjoy together. The twins enjoyed horses but not so much at the riding. Still, they enjoyed caring for and grooming them, but James was not interested in horses. He had recently asked his parents if he could start keeping goats, but they weren’t sure that would be his long-term interest. So, the topic had been stalled at the debate stage until they could decide what would be fair for all the children.

It was several weeks later when Violet woke up on her birthday. Her mom was out with her siblings at the dentist, and it was just Oscar and her. He knocked on her door. ” I made you breakfast.” She rolled over, having just barely woken up. ” We have some errands to run, so once you eat breakfast, please get dressed. We must leave by nine”. Violet sighed; it was her birthday; why did she have to run errands? They were in Oscar’s pickup truck right after nine and headed to the local feed store. Mildred and Oscar had decided that goats, who would be living outside, were a better fit for what they wanted to add to their personal menagerie. The goats would be delivered within the next few days, and they wanted to be prepared. Able to tell that Violet was feeling sullen, Oscar asked, ” Are you looking forward to your birthday dinner tonight? I know how much you love Mexican”. She answered him with a slight smile and nod of her head. Having stayed up late the night before, Violet nodded off for the rest of the drive. ” We’re here!” Oscar exclaimed. Violet woke with a start. She was confused; she thought they were going back to the house, but instead, they were at the stable where she took lessons.
Violet looked at her dad, ” I don’t have a lesson today.” Oscar smiled at her, ” No, you don’t have a lesson, but you do have a horse now.” Her jaw dropped. ” Which stable is the horse in?” They were already out of the vehicle and walking towards the barn. ” Check the stall; that’s the second-to-last one on the right.” Running was forbidden in the stable, so Violet speed-walked down to the stall. Once she reached the stall, a familiar set of dark eyes met hers. ” It’s Brownie!”. She looked back at her dad. ” Happy Birthday, Violet.”