The Distance Home by Orly Konig

Author:Orly Konig
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates

21

March 1995

“Are you done with that magazine?” Jilli points a pair of scissors at the Practical Horseman magazine Emma has been leafing through, looking for the perfect picture for her collage.

It’s been pouring outside and is still winter cold. The kind of early-spring day that makes you doubt Mother Nature remembers how to make warm and sunny. Emma is ready for spring. She loves spring.

She listens to the rain pounding on the metal roof. She wishes it would ease up. Usually riding in the indoor arena with rain pinging on the metal roof feels cozy, the sounds almost hypnotic. But the downpour this morning had made it hard to hear Rena and had unsettled the horses. It hadn’t been one of her better lessons. And that always leaves her feeling out of sorts.

Emma slides the magazine to Jilli and reaches for another one. Her collage isn’t moving nearly as fast as Jilli’s. Then again, Emma’s collage has a theme and each picture is neatly trimmed and glued in place. Jilli is taking an everything-goes approach to hers.

The phone rings and Rena answers on the second ring. After abbreviated pleasantries, Rena’s voice jumps with alarm, making both girls stop in mid-cut or paste. “But you’re okay? Well that’s more important. Of course, of course. We’ll manage. Don’t give it another thought.”

She hangs up and drops her head into her hands. “Oh this is not good.”

“Grandma? What’s wrong?”

“Carolyn was in an accident. The roads are slick and people don’t know how to pay attention. She’s okay but her car isn’t. She’s not going to make it today. And that means I’m shorthanded for the afternoon therapeutic lessons.” She flips through the class list and groans.

“We’ll help.” Emma ignores the glare from Jilli.

She’s been watching the lessons since she started coming to Jumping Frog Farm. She likes the slow, steady pace, the focus on connecting with the horse. She’s enchanted by the Rena who leads those groups. She loves watching any and all lessons—especially the advanced riders. But there’s a pull to the therapeutic ones that she can’t explain.

“Are you nuts?” Jilli hisses at her.

Rena’s mouth pulls into a lopsided thought expression.

“Way to go, Emma,” Jilli mutters. “I have homework,” she volunteers before Rena can rope her in.

“This morning you said you didn’t.” Rena’s thought face turns to suspicion face.

“Just remembered a book report due on Tuesday. And I’m only halfway through the book.”

Rena raises a questioning eyebrow at Emma.

“I can still help.” Emma sits taller.

“Okay then. I have two lessons I could use the extra hands with.”

“I can do that.” She hears the giddiness in her own voice and doesn’t care. So what if Jilli doesn’t want to help. Until now, the only thing she’d been allowed to do was lead ponies in and out of the arena, tighten girths, cool out horses after. But never full-out helping. Like in the ring, leading-a-pony helping.

“Good. The first lesson will be here in less than thirty minutes. Can you please help Daniel with the horses? We need Jasper, Timmy, and Star.

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