Morning Star by Judith Plaxton

Author:Judith Plaxton
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Second Story Press
Published: 2011-09-03T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 30

Felicia

FELICIA TOLD her family all about the success of her school project, the poster now featured in a glass case just outside the office.

“All that hard work paid off,” said Florence.

“I think I’ll pop into the school tomorrow and have a look at it,” said Delia. “Maybe I’ll bring my camera. You could stand in front of it, Felicia. I wonder if the glass might create some glare.”

“Mom, please don’t come to school with your camera.”

“Why not?”

“Because it would be grossly embarrassing.”

“Why are your mother’s actions so often embarrassing?” Delia said, not really expecting an answer.

“I’m going to wait until she brings it home,” said Florence.

The next day, Felicia’s friends didn’t wait for her at lunch, and they didn’t look up when she joined them with her sandwich.

“Are you going to watch the lunchtime play rehearsal?”

“Maybe,” said Dodie.

“Dunno,” said Renate.

Sophie didn’t reply, avoiding Felicia’s glance by looking at the table.

“I’ve got some brownies. My grandma made them. They’re really yummy. Want some?” Felicia unwrapped the squares.

Only Dodie took one, with a muttered “thanks.”

Before Felicia had finished her lunch, the three others scrunched their wrappings for the garbage and stood up together. “Going to the play,” said Renate. They walked away, leaving Felicia alone. The library offered a place to read, so Felicia stayed there, feeling bad and flipping through magazines until it was time to return to class.

Josh caught up with her in the hallway. “How come you didn’t come and watch us?” he asked.

Felicia felt grateful for his awkward interest in her. At least someone missed her.

“I had some reading to do in the library.”

“Can you come tomorrow?”

“Sure.”

After school, the four girls walked to the stable, Felicia frequently two steps behind. “Do you want to come to my place after riding and see the kitten? He’s growing really fast; he’s all fluffy and so cute.”

“Um, we’re kinda busy.”

“Are you guys mad at me?”

The three girls exchanged glances but said nothing.

Little was said as they groomed their horses. Felicia was glad to start the lesson. Astride Star, she focused on keeping her feet in their stirrups, looking straight ahead at the target points, moving easily with her mount, she and Morning Star a team. She listened to her instructor’s constant voice including her in the lesson. But when it was over, the others talked briefly, and only to each other. They left without saying good-bye.

The barn was quiet, with only the sounds of horses’ breath, the chewing of hay, the scraping of a hoof. Felicia brushed Star with long strokes. “I think you’re the best horse in the world.”

The horse stood solid and accepting. Felicia looked into one dark eye. “Are the other horses ever mean to you? I think I saw a mark where you’d been nipped.” Felicia checked the rump but the mark was gone. She remembered the photos of Star when she’d been rescued, so thin and dejected. Francine said that the horses hadn’t been fed or even given water. They had to drink from a brackish pond or from puddles on the ground.

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