The Gray by Chris Baron

Author:Chris Baron
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

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On the way to the ranch, I try to get Eli to talk about how awesome it all was. But he stays quiet, so I stop. I still feel the adrenaline coursing through my body, and I use it keep up with Eli. We wind our way out of town, walking up, up until we can finally see the ranch in the distance. The Gray is galloping end to end in a wide stable, tearing up the meadow, rearing up into the air like she could leap over the fence with ease. Then, beyond that is the forest and the path back to Aunt Ruthie’s. I am starting to understand the land, starting to see it like a map in my head. All the walking is comforting, like my body is finally learning a new routine that’s about more than just keeping a schedule.

We stop at the barn, and this time Eli asks me to make sure that all the saddles on the racks have the right straps and cinches connected. I go through each one, pulling and tightening. I used to think saddles were just something that clipped on, but they’re actually pretty complex. Eli asks me to fill the water barrels for all the horses. It’s hard work, but I don’t mind. I like being around the horses. I start with Flash. He puts his muzzle under the hose. I do the same for Blackberry, a small dark horse with a white star on his forehead. Blackberry makes bubbles in the water. Just above us is a wide loft where hay is stacked to the ceiling. I remember the story Ivy told me, about what happened here. Because I’m staring, I forget about the water until it starts overflowing the barrel.

“Pay attention,” Eli grumbles. “There’s nothing to see up there.”

“Sorry! Sorry, Blackberry.” I sweep the water toward a drain in the floor. It seems to entertain the horses. When I’m done sweeping and filling the rest of the barrels, I check in with Eli, and he tells me to go home. I grab my bag and run out of the barn to make it back in time for dinner.

Aunt Ruthie lets me tell her all about my day. I tell her almost everything. I want to tell her how we stood up to Boon, but what if she tells my parents? What if she gets mad? So I leave it out. Instead I tell her all about Flash, and Blackberry, and making the barrel overflow.

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