No, Allegra, you’ll be fat if you eat all that!My mother’s voice was echoing in my head, but I nodded, and she took the menu.
I wasn’t sure where all this impulsiveness and desire to try new things was coming from, but it was fun.
Ping
Do I have to go to the rodeo?
The feeling diminished as I read Harrison’s text, giving me some clarity, but I refused to let it ruin my entire mood.
Yes.
Fine. See you Saturday.
I put my phone on silent and leaned back.
I knew what I wanted to do.
I knew what my decision would be.
~~~
It was finally Saturday night. It had been the longest and most relaxing week of my entire life.
I had arrivedon Monday evening, explored the town on Tuesday, worked from sunup to sundown on Wednesday, and went hiking on Thursday.
Though I didn’t go as soon as I wanted, I made it to the famous Cedar Breaks. It was as breathtaking as the landscape portrayed it to be.
I wore my running clothes, not sure how strenuous the hikes would be. It was not cold, but had a hint of a chill that could only be found at 10,000 feet. The air was thin; it was incredible how out of breath I felt walking up the small inclines.
It was a canyon red rock amphitheater surrounded by pine trees and wildflowers. There were multiple overlook points, and I stopped at every one, taking way too many pictures. I vowed to hang one in my house. I also promised myself that from there on out, I was going to explore the towns and tourist attractions at every city I had to visit.
Why not? I had the time, and if this is what I found with a five-second search, imagine what else I could find. I spent moretime than most people did, enjoying every second of the crisp, fresh air. If I could bottle up the feeling and spray myself every morning, life would seem a lot less complicated.
I was hesitant to call a car to take me back to the hotel, but I had to get to the arena early to unbox the riders’ vests.
I had dragged reluctant Thompson and Mickey to help me hand them out. Dennis Nash and his family hadn’t made it yet; they would be there just in time for the Saturday rodeo. I tried not to be disappointed. Dennis was the only one on the board who was enthusiastic about anything I did.
The riders were excited to get new gear. Usually, they had to buy their own, but Agri-Corp had used its own money to do this. They were extremely grateful, telling us how much they loved and appreciated them.
Billy met me at the hotel to go over the plan and stood on a milk crate filming the whole thing. She gave me a big thumbs up when I glanced at her. A few of the cowboys agreed to be interviewed about the vests, and we spent hours with them.
The crowd arrived, the rodeo started, and we were still behind the chutes talking to them all. As we did, I watched the rodeo queenand princesses ride their horses around the arena. I took a few notes between interviews.
The rodeo was as fun as the others, the clown was perfectly funny, and the contestants put on a great show. But for some reason, something felt like it was missing.
After the show, Billy and I went to a pizza place and gotdinner together.
We finally had a moment to get to know each other properly.
Though it didn’t take long.
In a single breath, she said, “Well, I’m twenty. I’m a film student, obviously. I hate olives. I have a boyfriend who is the most dreamyman that’s ever lived. I have an older brother who has the cutest baby that’s ever been born. I lovethe color yellow, and one day I will have a yellow house. My mom is an artist, and my dad is a plumber. I got my mom’s creativity, duh. Right now, I have six roommates, who are the best. I am the biggest film buff there ever was. I hate TV shows, though. Weird, I know. I am saving up for a new computer, because I bought mine used a few years ago. And that about sums it up!”
She was the product of a happy home with two loving parents and a bright future ahead of her. I loved being around her so much; she made me want to see the world as bright and happy as she did.
The next day, I worked on piecing together the footage Billy had taken. Then, during the rodeo, I helped Thompson and Mickey set up and run the booth.
The town had fairgrounds right outside from the arena, where a few miles of booths and food trucks were set up. I had reserved the biggest spot for Agri-Corp a week ago, and it had paid off.
