Remember this is rough copy, so I apologize for grammer mistakes!
Chapter Three
"Okay." Doctor Moris stated. He was looking at the x-rays and then to Marie's leg. She shot him a daring look when he touched it.
"Sorry." He said, giving Marie a warm smile. "Well, you're looking better than you did a month ago. I would like to put you through physical therapy in about another month. It would re-build your lost muscle and strengthen them." He finished by looking at Ray.
"All right doc, let's get it done!" Marie's chuckle was a bit grim. She was happy to do this, but it also made her happy knowing she had just used Turner's old slang. She turned her sad smile to the doc.
"Will it be like it used too?" She was hopeful in waiting for the answer.
Doctor Tyler Moris looked her in the eyes and gave her the truth, "You most likely won't," he paused, "but I've been wrong before." With that he patted her on the head and made his way out the door.
"So? You ready?" Ray shot her a wary glance. She was going to have to endure some major pain and stress.
Marie was silent a moment, watching the rain fall outside. "I am, I need to support myself now. You're like a human crutch." She said this lightly, but her heart lay heavy. She was trying to appear as if she were moving on, but inside...she was a loose cannon. Her phone buzzed. She looked to see who it was and smiled. It was from Robin. It read; 'You still alive?' Marie flipped open the keypad and replied, 'yes, my friend...still alive.' She refrained from adding 'sadly.'
"All right then...let's go home." Ray picked up her bag and allowed her to lean against him. They still had a long road ahead of them.
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The next day she awoke to find Lexi watching her, eating a bowl of cerel. She glared at her best friend and growled. Lexi just laughed and threw a cheerio at her.
"Good morning sleeping beauty. I have strict orders to take you out today. How about a good old trail ride, like we used to? Prince misses you. Prince was Marie's five year old Lippizzaner stallion. He had been abused and neglected. She had been walking out in the woods one day when she came upon him. He was in an old broken shed, it had smelled of feecies and mold. She had called her uncle at the Vetrinary Healing Hooves Clinic in West Virginia. He had raced out here and picked him up. They later found out that his owner had been smuggling drugs across the border through his horses. She had a passion for these animals and had gained a deep connection with Prince, as she taught him that not all humans were bad. That love was worth living for. At the thought of how she had just neglected him herself. Her heart saddened.
"I would love that Lexi." Her throat croaked with sincerety and Lexi could see it. Lexi knew that the mention of her horse would get her attention. She loved that animal with all her being. Alongside Levi, of course. That dog was never more than five feet of Marie. As if to prove her point, Marie got up, patted Levi on the head and put on an old flannel shirt and a pair of really worn wranglers. She ate a muffin, grabbed her jacket and boots, and headed out across the two minute walk to the barn. The process was slow and painful. But just being out in the fresh mountain air, caused her to forget her pain for the moment. Her uncle owned fifty acres of virginia land. He was also a livestock vet. Wich explained why he could afford this place. Lexi was right behind her as she pushed open the huge red double door. This caused all the heads of the horses to turn and look at who had interupted their breakfast. Marie was looking around her at lexi, when she heard a loud shrill whinny.
"Prince!" Marie laughed as she hobbled to his stall. The horse thrust his head over the door and nuzzled Marie affectionatley. "Haha! Oh Prince! I'm so sorry boy..." she murmerd praises to him when Lexi finally spoke up.
" I told you." She held a smug smile on her face. As if to say she was proud that she was right.
"You can ride cricket. He loves you so, and someone's been giving him way too many oats. He's a lot chunkier than I remember," Marie didn't even have to look at Lexi to see that she was beat red and guilty! Lexi had been doing Marie's share of the chores since...well, not anymore she decided. Starting today she was going to pick it up again. No sense moping around the house. It had been a month and life had to move on. Robin also worked here, but only part time, and because she felt obligated to. Robin boarded her horse Inky here. She was a seven year old gelding, the sweetest thing you ever could look at. After they saddled up, they headed out onto the old familiar trail. Marie texted both her aunt and uncle to let them know where they were. And how long they would be gone. Once out on the trail they fell silent. It felt so good to be in the outdoors again. She had to admit that she had been annoyed to find Lexi in her room, but there was no sense in arguing with her. She could win an arguement with a coyote on how shooting him was the right thing to do! if she really wanted to. This caused Marie to laugh, which brought Lexi's question,
"What?"
"Oh nothing." But Lexi wouldn't take that.
"Come on Marie! What were you laughing about!?"
Marie finally gave in. "I was just thinking how funny it would be if you persuaded a coyote to see that it was all right to shoot him." Lexi looked flabergasted but Marie knew she thought it was funny. And it didn't take Lexi two seconds to holler out with laughter.
"Just like the old good old days Marie. You've got your charm back."
"Yeah, maybe I do." But Marie was not convinced and knew she felt more and more detached from life each and every day she got up.
.............................................................................................. Chapter Four
"Rap, rap...RAP!"
Ray woke up to the sound of loud knocking at the door. He looked over at the time. It was 7:00am Saturday morning. He walked to the door in a bit of daze. He happened to notice Marie lean against the door frame, waiting patiently, attentivley for him to open the door. He did so, and found Pastor Le-Roy Brown, and a lawyer standing behind him.
"What can I do for you at this time of day?" He impled hesitantly, emphasizing the words 'time of day.'
"Morning Ray...Marie." Le-Roy said not even looking at Marie. "We have come on professional buisness...concerning the sawyer's house and will." He finished, this time looking suarely at Marie.
Marie was confused. She had thought that all of that had been taken care of already. She had been glad to know that she wouldn't have to take part in the legal finalizing, since she was 16, just a minor by law. So this caught her attention.
"Well. Go on!" Marie almost snapped, though her sarcasm had indeed been noticed by Le-Roy and the lawyer, they went on as if she hadn't snapped at them. her uncle gave her a sharp glance.
"This is Mr. Sanderson, he is here to speak to Marie, on the behalf of a will. We found it going through the house, Marie. It was well hidden and were surprised in the finding. But it holds some important facts, that we need to take care of...Marie I have been named as your legal guardian. You are going to have to come and move in with us...immediately. I will give you two weeks to get your things together. And then I will come and get you. We will than discuss the situation, and living arrangements with your aunt and uncle." Le-Roy finished.
Marie felt like the ground had been ripped from under her. She had just been getting the feeling that life would go on as normal as it could. But now...Marie's eyes suddeny filled with tears. She didn't even bother to get a coat or shoes as she hopped to the barn as fast as she could on her one good foot. She thrust open Prince's stall door and leaned against him and cried. It wasn't that she didn't like pastor Le-Roy. In fact, she loved him! But to just barge in and take any normalacy she had sarted to feel? That had to be wrong. She tried hard not to blame him. Because her parents had written that will. So she wouldn't haven even been living with her aunt and uncle from the getco, if they had found the will sooner. After a while, her crying ceased. It didn't take long for her to hear someone approaching. She didn't even bother to look up. She knew who it was.
"Marie...this is a shock, even to me. I'm so sorry to have to do this. But I have to. I have to respect that your parents wanted this for you. And I feel honored that they thought that Linda and I were the right people to take care of you. But-"
"I understand, I really do. It's just...I had fianlly started feeling like life was gonna go on. And now God, just like before...has ripped the floor out from under me! Why!? Pastor Le-Roy...why." She fell silent than. Le-Roy put his hand on her shoulder and prayed. She felt good after that, but still, her heart was lay heavy with burden.
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Lexi and robbin came over the next week Sunday, to help her pack. They had bantered and laughed and listened to music to lighten the mood. But Marie had hardly spoken a word since she had opened the door to let them in. They had just packed up the last box, when aunt Mary-Lou came in.
"I made pizza for dinner? Is anyone hungary?" She asked, already knowing the answer to her question.
"I'm starving!" Lexi and Robin said in unison. They both cracked up with laughter.
"Come on Marie!" They left the room than. The were trying so hard to ignore her mood and to make the best of it for her. They both knew that she did not need another deep heart to heart talk. She needed light in a dark place...laughter, love and normalcy!
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The next day came and went. Marie knew that Le-Roy would be coming any time now. He hadn't specified which day he would be coming. She knew she couldn't avoid it, but that didn't stop her for wishing on a miracle...that somehow she could stay here. She loved being out in the vast wide open. Running around in the pen with prince, going on trail rides with Lexi and Robin. That was her, she needed space to be herself. She loved having the freedom beyond a fence. Not trapped behind one. Who would have thought that her parents death would have allowed her dreams to come true. I mean she had always had Prince. But not a ranch, not being able to wake up to the rooster's crow. Her uncle had always been gracious and told her she was allowed to visit whenever. Even Levi had the time of his life here on the open land. Though she had never minded being in town, because of the job she had here. And Le-Roy had told her she could still visit here anytime and keep her job. But even in all that, she didn't want to leave...she couldn't. With that thought in mind Marie finished her chores, and went in for lunch.
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