“You’re not fat.”
“A little bit.”
“You’re…cushiony.”
He gasps. “Cushiony! I rather like that!”
“Sabin, I was being mean before. I don’t care how much you weigh. You should know that. I just want you to be happy.”
“Fat and happy?”
“Whatever you like, my friend. Or you could come running with me,” I suggest. “You used to work out with Chris. So, you slacked off without him. It’s not a big deal.”
“Trying to compete with Chris didn’t work out so well.” Sabin kicks a rock off the path and guides us to the left toward the stables. “He’s always been stronger. He’s got more drive and willpower than a human should. I’d rather be cushiony. I can’t win against that shit.”
“It wasn’t a competition. There was no prize, goofball. He had so much fun with you.”
“He just liked that I’d sit on his feet when he did sit-ups. Look ahead in the paddock!” Sabin points. “There’s my girl, Mia. Isn’t she a beauty?”
I know next to nothing about horses, but the horse coming toward us is indeed beautiful. I laugh when she makes a noise as we get closer.
“She likes you, huh?”
“Ah, we are good friends, this girl and me.”
We get to the fence, and I hang back while Sabin rubs his hand over her nose. He turns back and sees that I’m a bit daunted, so he pulls me forward.
“Don’t you worry, B. She’s a gentle girl. Relax. Horses are very sensitive and intelligent, and they’ll pick up on your feelings. Think of her like a big dog. Dogs know when you’re nervous, sad, all that. Let her know you’re okay.” He faces the calm horse. “Mia, this is Blythe. Blythe, say hello to Mia. Go on, B. Give ’er a little pat, right here on her side. She likes that.”
Tentatively at first, I pat Mia’s shiny coat. She doesn’t rear up or otherwise freak me out, so I get more comfortable and even inch my pat up her neck.
“You are a very sweet girl, aren’t you?” I keep talking, partially to convince myself not to be frightened but partially because it really is a thrill. “I bet Sabin gives you extra treats and spoils you rotten, huh?”
“I certainly do. Isn’t her color awesome? She’s an American Quarter Horse, which is sort of the Labrador of horses. Super friendly breed, really nice temperament. Smart and just all-around good horses.”
“Her color is lovely.”
Mia has a light-tan coat that darkens to black on her legs, as though she were wearing boots. Her black mane and tail blow in the breeze sweeping through.
“And she’s so shiny.”
“Good diet. Pearce makes sure all his horses are fed high-quality products and good supplements. Plus, I groom her all the time, and that doesn’t hurt.”
Three other horses are in the hundred-foot-long area where Mia is, but Sabin only has eyes for her. It’s rather sweet.
“So, this is called a paddock?” I ask.
“Yep. They hang out here and graze on the grass and stuff. Hey, wanna feed her a carrot?”
“I don’t know. Do I?”
He laughs. “You do. Here.”
I take a carrot from the bag he’s brought over, and I take a big breath, hoping Mia won’t swallow my arm. Sabe puts his hand over mine while we feed her. I have never been this close to a horse before, and it’s exhilarating. Mia flutters her lips as she makes what I can only compare to a giant purr, and I laugh with delight.
“She’s so funny!”
“This one’s a character, for sure.”
