'Tradgedies Amidst Healing' Chapter 8-9

                                                          Chapter eight
 
                 Marie awoke to the touch of Weston's hand. He was holding it and appeared to be sleeping. She saw the concerned look on his face and tried to remember what had happened. It didn't take long for her to realize what had happened. She twitched her hand, and this slowly brought Weston's gaze up to her face.
          "Weston? I'm so sorry. I hadn't realized that I had gone off the road and onto your field. I hope I wasn't any trouble."
            Weston just stared at her in shock. He knew her to be this way. Thinking she was a nuisance even when she was the one in danger. Always putting others before her, and ignoring herself. She hated attention and wouldn't even allow anyone to look at her, when she damaged herself. She was such a kind and tenderhearted young woman.
           "Don't ever think like that again! Marie." She looked away from him as he said this. "Look at me." He waited until she obliged before moving on. "You are never a nuisance...I thought I lost you out there yesterday. You were so cold, and blue...you looked dead. You're a good friend, I couldn't stand it if I lost you." Though he was 22 and she was 16, they were good friends. And would continue to be so, until the day of death.
      "Just like I can't stand that all five of my family members are dead." Marie barely whispered.
       This statement caused Weston to again study her profile. It was gonna take a lot more than a simple friendship to get her to trust him and to believe him. He just squeezed her hand, and prayed.
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                     Ray watched the exchange between Marie and Weston. They were tight friends. Ray genuinley liked Matt, and thought highly of him. They were a good pair. Ray thought not for the first time that he was getting to old for this. He was doing his best to be there for her. But he did have four other family members to keep in touch with. He sure hoped that she would get back on her feet soon. He needed life to go too. Not just for him, but his family as well. With a sigh, he walked down to the cafeteria to refill his coffee. He needed to fuel up if he was going to get through the day.

                                                          Chapter Nine

                                 Lexi was eating cerel when she heard a knock at the door. She told her mom she'd get it and excused herself. She went to the door and found Marie standing there. She looked better than she did two days ago. But was still a little pale. The doctor told her she had been stressing her body and her leg by the way she had been running so much. She was not allowed to go for 20k runs anymore. Start at 5k if she felt she had to run. But for the next 6 months no more than that.
     "Can I talk to you Lexi?" She looked miserable. Nothing new there.
      "Of course Marie, come on in." She widened the door, to let her in. But Marie made  no move to go in.
        "No. Can we go for a walk in the woods out back?" She sounded distressed with what she wanted to talk about. So Lexi obliged.
        "Yes, just let me grab my coat, and tell my mom where we're going. Hold on a sec." It didn't take her long to return. "Alright, let's go." She shut the door and headed out with Marie. It had been close to ten minutes before she spoke.
        "I would like to apologize for the way I've been acting. Lexi. It wasn't and isn't right." Marie was watching her face intently.
         "Marie you have a right, your-"
         Marie cut in with a sharp "No! It's not okay. God says it's not okay. Lexi, while I was grieving I was totally blind to the fact that you and turner was just as much best friends as me and you." Marie had tears now, it hurt Marie that she had been so blind to this. "I am so sorry Lexi..." Marie was so choked up that she couldn't speak. Instead she just grabbed Lexi and pulled her into a hug. After a while she spoke again. "You know, the day I fell into the pond...I made my relationship with God right again. I'm gonna move on, pull my life back together. I'm gonna be there again for you and Robin. Alright? After I realized what I had been like, how I've neglected you guys. It tore my heart open again. I am so sorry...I will never let that happen again. Alright?" She waited for Lexi's nod. They started walking, and remained silent. Finally Lexi spoke up.
          "Promise me something Marie." She had stopped and Marie knew she wasn't gonna like what she had to say.
            She judged her friend's face and finally said, "Okay."
                "Promise me that if anything ever happens to me, you'll talk about it to someone. That you'll explain how you're feeling. Ask for help. Promise me this one time Marie." She held the gaze of her friend. But it was indeed hard. They had been best friends for about six years. She had quickly learned that Marie had this piercing gaze that could penetrate deep into your soul. It seemed like forever and finally, she agreed,
    "I promise Lexi." With that Marie dropped her gaze and started walking down the path back to Lexi's house. She didn't like making that promise. But for her treasured friend, she'd jump the moon. she was also impressed with the way she was able to hold her gaze to Marie.
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                                Marie got back on her horse and headed to her uncle's house. She still had some chores left to do and she was eager to sit in the pasture with the horses. They always made her day. Such majestic animals had God created. They were strong, and gentle, yet could be very mean and hostile. Gentled by man, these beasts were life long partners. Abused by man, these beasts were broken, and your worst nightmare. She patted Prince's neck as she rode along. He in turn, turned his head to rub her leg. He had come along way, since Marie's uncle saved his life. He reminded her of a horse when she went on a mission's trip to Brazil. There had been a horse who had been neglected and abused. She would sit with the timid creature...barely noticing that Marie had been there as her head hung to the ground. Not even eating the grass as she breathed in it's fragrance. She remembered kneeling down and just holding the horse's head in her lap. Gazing into her eyes. There had been sorrow there, you could tell she had not wanted to go on in life. That memory always tore at her soul.
                Prince picked up speed as he saw uncle Ray. Ray laughed and waited patiently as the horse jogged to his side. He thrust his head at him and nuzzled him affectionately. Ray gave him some oats and murmured praises to him. He looked up to see Marie smiling at him.
    "What," he asked with hesitation.
    "Nothing...I made some things right, and decided that life has to go on." She was silent then, looking saddened. But than gave him a sincere smile. She got off the horse. "I have to finish some chores, and than I was gonna go sit with the horses. If that's alright with you."
              "Sure, but Marie? I have a new patient for you to nurture and spoil. She's a red sorrel mare. She was beaten with a 2 by 4... a nail attached to the end. She's got some nasty scars. She's vicious, so be careful."
              Marie looked  thrilled and sad at the same time. Before she could even ask where the horse was, her uncle answered her question.
              "She's in the corral behind the barn." With that he turned and left, as Marie cooled down Prince, put him away, and went to go see the new mare. Sometimes she swore that she could kill whoever did this to these animals. God created them to. Not just to be food...or even to be punching bags. But to be companions, and to be loved. She prayed right then...that God would help her with these thoughts.
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                Weston found Marie just where her uncle said she would be. He watched from a distance as she sat on the ground. She paid no heed to the horse. Whenever she did, the horse would shy away. Eventually she had stopped paying attention. He watched in amazement as the horse finally ambled over to her and sniffed around in her hair. She gave out a giggle and the horse shot away. This time Marie stood up and turned away from the horse. She noticed Weston standing there. But she ignored him as the horse again was out won by his curiosity. This time Marie walked away and the horse followed her as she walked around the corral. She stopped. Turned and held out her hand, the horse was cautious and made no move toward her. Marie walked away again. The horse let out a loud shrill whinny. Marie once again turned around, held out her hand and waited. The horse pranced toward her, staring her right in the eye. Marie gently brought her hand up to the neck of the sorrel mare. The horse nuzzled her hand and Marie rewarded her with a carrot.
        "Wow. You've got a gift here Marie." Weston said once he closed the gate behind her.
         "Thanks Weston. What brought you over here?" She was in high spirits since the day she fell in the pond.
                "I came to see how you were doing. I'm glad to see you up and about. You scared me half to death." He finished with extreme emotions.
                "Thank-you Weston...for saving me. I could have died if you hadn't spotted me." Marie broke off, and looked away. She had tears in her eyes again. This had to be the millionth time since her family's death.
               "Marie, you're okay. You're alive. God still wants you here."
                "I know Weston, but...I miss them so much. And I know that this is God's plan, but why I'm the one left alive....why me." She didn't ask this..but stated it. Because she couldn't go back and change what happened. So why ask.
              Weston pulled her into a hug. She was getting there. She was beginning to see that God allowed this to further His will for her life. But understanding didn't make it any easier.