Antithesis Read online

  “Thank you for coming,” Carolyn said.

  “See you tomorrow,” Ben said as they led us out the door.

  We walked back to our driveway dodging the skateboard and ebullient dogs. Just before we were out of earshot my mother was already turning on the questions.

  “Well?” she asked with a lilt in her voice. I knew that tone so well. Since my sisters had abandoned her for higher education, she focused all the well-intended, but soap opera questioning and drama on every possible relationship that could surface around me. She liked information in real time. My sisters’ was at least hours old by the time they chatted online every evening. I knew she meant well, but I was tired and still had piles of homework.

  “At least he speaks in complete sentences,” I said with a blank expression on my face, just to get a rise out of Mother.

  “Come on, Elliott, he must have been cute to you. I’m old but certainly not blind,” she said, punching me playfully in the ribs.

  “Yes, he’s very cute, Mother, but cute only goes so far,” I said trying very hard not to sound patronizing.

  “Keep me posted,” Mother said sensing she’d crossed the boundaries of my chattiness today.

  Upstairs in my loft, I closed the door to my room, nestled into homework position, and, despite Ben’s charm, thought about…Viva.

  We did have a great ride today. I wish I could ride her all the time. She feels my moods, I sense hers, and our rides are effortless and uncomplicated – relaxing. I hope Daddy finds a way to send her to college with me. I’ll make sure to get some scholarships to help pay for school. We wouldn’t have to have a fancy place like now, just a pasture, and a lake….

  Saturday – our first real show. Everyone at the barn’s so nervous, but I’m not. And I don’t know why. It just feels so natural riding her, and that makes no sense to Robin. She says it should’ve taken me years to find my seat. I think its Viva. Everything comes so naturally when I ride her. The other girls aren’t so sure and aren’t so happy about it either. Why is that?

  I will trailer with Ashley. Why not? At least we’ll have something to talk about besides horses. I’m sure she’ll be all ears about Ben. And all I want to know about is horses. I wonder why that bothers her. She’s been around them her whole life, but this is all so new and fascinating to me.

  I glanced at the clock, wrapped up my homework, and settled down to sleep. Ben really had a nice smile…I hope Viva and I jump clean Saturday…and I drifted off to sleep.

  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

  Chapter 2 - Highland Hills

  It fills me as soon as I step out of my car, soothing my soul. Shavings, fly spray, clean leather, warm, green pastures, saddle soap, dogs…the smells of my sanctuary…the barn.

  Ben met me at the entrance of the school.

  “Hello again, Elliott,” he said as he stepped away from a group of guys. I felt the eyes of my girlfriends on us and could not help but enjoy their suspense. Every Southern girl is born knowing how to subtly attract and be the center of attention – and enjoy it. When it happens by surprise, all the better.

  “Hey Ben,” I said. “I’m glad you made it to the school. Mother was sure that we needed to collect you, but I assured her that you could drive yourself.”

  “Shall we?” he asked, opening the door and letting me through the school corridors. Nice…complete sentences yesterday, manners today.

  I led him to the office to get him settled with his student escort for his first day of school. When I was sure he was in good hands, I left for physics.

  Shannon Kraft assaulted me outside the door.

  “Who was that?” she asked, amazement and admiration in her voice that was not lost on me.

  Her mother must not have been as astute on the social hotline. “My new neighbor,” I said turning my shoulder to her and staring forward to end the conversation as Mr. Glasgow started his lecture.

  “Details!” she hissed.

  I smiled in spite of myself. This was going to be fun.

  Three notes assailed me. Even in the information age, paper and pen were still king.

  “You’ve got to be kidding – that new guy is your neighbor?” Shannon wrote.

  “Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous! Do, tell!” Leslie’s note said.

  “How does he already know you? Why didn’t you call me back last night?” Elaine’s note said.

  As soon as the bell rang, they were on me in the hallway. “Just my new neighbor, his name is Ben, he has a little sister in seventh grade, I think he’s a senior, but I really don’t know, yes he is cute, no, I don’t know where his daddy works, oh yea, at some law firm downtown,” I gasped as Shannon, Leslie, and Elaine pummeled me for more.

  All the same questions – round and round. But at least the ride was more interesting today.

  “That’s really all I know, ya’ll,” I said, as I ducked into Spanish.

  Mercifully, my friends were not in this class with me, so I could let my mind wander where it may. In Spanish, we were learning about bullfighting, and my thoughts turned to Viva…much more interesting than Ben, my horse and her mysteries. There was something, maybe butterflies, settling in the pit of my stomach. Yes, that was them – butterflies. The show – tomorrow. So much to do to get ready. I hope Viva is ready. I know I am, but what will it be like with a real audience? Will she be nervous? Will I be able to get her to focus?

  Lunch came quickly, and I took my place with the girls. Their mindless prattle about weekend plans was usually comforting, but today they would not leave me with my show thoughts.

  “Come on, Elliott, as least give us something,” Leslie said. “Do you like him?

  “Give you something?” I asked, oh yeah – the Ben thing. Girl minds never cease…when it comes to new flesh. “Well, he lives next door, and that is really all I know, and, I don’t know, of course I like him, but not like that, I just met him yesterday!”

  “Pitiful!” Elaine gasped. “You have an Adonis move in and don’t even notice. I bet you are still going to the barn this afternoon, too, aren’t you? How are we ever going to get to meet this guy?”

  Leslie saw him before the rest of us and kicked Elaine under the table.

  “Elliott,” Ben smiled down at us. “Do you mind if I sit with you?”

  “No, of course,” I stammered, as I made room between Leslie and me. Where were my manners? Mother would certainly not have approved of me leaving Ben on his own to search for company in the lunchroom.

  “Ben Allen, these are my friends, Leslie White, Shannon Kraft, and Elaine Melton. We are all seniors, and Leslie has a brother in seventh grade,” I said, trying to recover my manners by attempting to initiate conversation.

  “Me, too, Leslie,” Ben said. “I mean, I have a seventh grade sister.”

  Leslie beamed at him for singling her out. She was being so obvious, batting her big brown eyes, not subtle at all. We’ll have to talk later. She’s practically embarrassing herself.

  “Where are you from?” Elaine asked, her black eyes darting with mischief.

  “The Coast,” Ben said. “Lived there all my life.”

  For a moment there was a little pause – after all – most guys are not at ease sitting among four new girls that were not talking, but Ben was an exception and recovered quickly.

  “So, what do you do for fun in Canton?” he asked. Leslie and Elaine recovered the fastest and immediately jumped at the chance.

  “Tomorrow we’re all going to the river water skiing. My daddy has a boat, and you’re welcome to come with us,” Elaine said, a glint of triumph in her eyes. It was not like she was crossing the line and asking him out – taboo of course, but she did get in her first lick – innocently hospitable.

  “We may even cook out on a sand bar tomorrow afternoon,” Leslie said. “It depends on what everyone wants to do.”

  “I know Jack, Ray, and Sonny are coming, so we’ll definitely have a fun crowd,” Shannon added. “Bill will probably bring his boat. He just bought a Ski Nautique.
He’s more proud of that than his car. You should see it! It is bright blue and fabulous!”

  “Last time, they brought two pair of jumper skis, and we made a pyramid,” Shannon said. “That was so much fun! You should have seen everyone watch us as we zoomed the river. And it didn’t even hurt to fall!”

  “Ben, do you ski?” Elaine asked.

  “I do,” Ben said.

  “Of course, you’re from the coast,” she said, blushing.

  “Yes, I think most of us are born with flippers,” he smiled, and she melted, all embarrassment gone.

  He does have a way of making everyone around him feel at ease in spite of his almost too-good looks. Interesting. I blinked when I realized that he had just caught me looking at him.

  “So, Elliott, do you want to ride together?” he asked. “You’re not exactly out of the way for me.”

  “Oh, no, thanks.” I said.

  His eyes narrowed, and he looked affronted, for a moment. Leslie, Shannon, and Elaine were elated. They would have him all to themselves and did not hide their smug expressions. At least, not from me.

  “I’m going to be in a horse show tomorrow,” I explained, but I was not prepared for his reaction.

  “A horse show? Are you riding? I didn’t know anyone rode here. Do you think I could come watch?” he asked.

  That was the most animated I had seen him since we met, and it surprised me. Horse shows typically interested girls, not guys that looked, well, like Ben.

  “Sure,” I said, the surprise obvious in my voice. Smug looks gone from my friends’ expressions – now they were mad. Oh well.

  “I rode on the Coast, but I never showed,” he explained.

  Visions of him in a cowboy hat and boots made some sense, but not near the beach.

  “We played polo, and fox hunted in the off season.”

  The vision moved from cute cowboy to Ralph Lauren to Prince William. Hmm…this is interesting.

  The table around me fell silent again, in admiration. Their visions had obviously run along with mine. But silent it was. The girls did not approve. Back in the bulls eye of his attention.

  “So, what time are you showing?” he asked.

  Thankfully, the bell rang, and I escaped the mental missiles Leslie, Shannon, and Elaine flung my way. We took our trays to the counter and walked towards our next classes.

  “What class do you have next?” I asked.

  “Economics,” he said.

  “Good, me, too. You can walk with me,” I said, manners mishap recovered.

  “So, where do you ride?” he asked.

  “River Run Farm,” I said. “It is quite a place, breathtaking, in fact. It was built only a few years ago, and it is just gorgeous.”

  “I’d like to see it,” he said, and we turned into the doorway. We were nearly late, so the whole room stared as we found our seats. Nothing like walking in with the new guy. Big news. All eyes on us…already.

  After class, Leslie met us in the hallway, or rather, accosted us. Ben seemed to be taking all the attention in stride. Elaine was not far behind.

  “So, how did you like Mr. Jones?” Elaine asked.

  “Not much to like or dislike, yet, really,” Ben said. “What is he like?”

  “Oh, he’s really easy as long as you do your homework,” she said, looking up at him and batting her eyes. “I took the class last year and would be glad to help you any time…that is…if you need it,” she blushed, realizing she may have looked a little too eager.

  “I’ll keep that in mind, thank you,” Ben said, smiling at her and easing all her concern.

  The rest of the day went mostly the same. People coming up to him, introducing themselves, and me doing what I could to introduce, intercede, and assist him with remembering all the names as best as I could. I tried to give a little background on each to help him remember. I did not envy him the task. We had all been together for so long and knowing everyone was as natural to me as breathing. He was trying hard to remember everyone and something about them and that, to me, was impressive.

  After school, he met me on the sidewalk near the parking lot.

  “Elliott, you’ll have to let me thank you for this properly sometime,” he said. “I don’t know what I would have done on my first day without your help.”

  “Just being a good neighbor, Ben, no problem,” I said casually. “You would do the same for me.”

  “I really would like to come to the show. Would you mind?” he said.

  Oh my, Ashley is going to die! “No, not at all, Ben. That would be great. We start early and have classes all day,” I said. “So any time would be fine. It will be at the Multipurpose Building near the highway – really easy to find.”

  “I have to do some things that morning, but I’ll come after lunch, say, around 1:30 or so. How does that sound?” he asked.

  “I’ll see you then,” I said.

  As I walked to my car, I turned to look back at Ben, now surrounded by my friends and several others. He would be fine. My thoughts, now fully turning to the show, had suddenly made me feel weak.

  I drove to the barn listening to the Blues hoping to calm my thoughts. As I approached the black fences and the lovely stone barn, I relaxed. The horses were drifting around in their paddocks, new winter coats just peeking through their retiring summer shades. I rolled the windows down and let the November air fill my truck and my senses. Cool weather was coming at last – a welcome break to Mississippi’s sticky heat.

  Ashley met me at the door, hands on her hips.

  “I knew it. You would be here rather than getting the scoop on Ben for me,” she snapped.

  “Hold on, Ashley,” I said, trying to hide my grin. “You just come with me, and I may have all the information you need.”

  “What information?” she asked, softening somewhat.

  “Well, it comes with a price,” I grinned. “Tack up my horse, and I’ll see if I can remember all that I learned today about, what’s his name…you know…my neighbor.”

  “Ben! And no, I’m not tacking up your horse,” she stomped. “I’m certainly not desperate for guys, and I will not be your barn slave!”

  “Fine then,” I said. “He rides.”

  “What?” she asked, astonished. I had her now.

  “I want to use the string girth today so I don’t have to clean my leather one, again,” I said.

  “Not a chance.” She walked away, but she did not go far.

  “Does not act like he has a girlfriend, either,” I added.

  “Now how would you possibly know that yet?” She spun around and glared at me.

  “Oh, I don’t know.” I said. “I just spent the whole day with him, but you probably don’t really want to know all that he said.”

  “Fine. I’ll tack up your horse.” She managed to glare and smile at me at the same time.

  “Bring her in the arena when you’re finished,” I said. “I’ll be waiting.”

  ~~~

  Robin was already in full swing with the other students, so she didn’t notice me slip in the arena, unmounted. I sat on the rails and watched as she barked her orders to the other students in preparation for tomorrow’s show.

  “Where’s your horse? Is everything ok?” she asked never taking her eyes of Moon Pie, a precocious pony with a fourth grader strapped to her back.

  “Ashley is bringing her in for me,” I said, trying not to gloat.

  “I don’t even want to know,” she smiled. “Just get warmed up, and I’ll work with you when I finish with Lily.”

  “Heels down, Lily, now watch your diagonals!” she snapped. “Sit one more beat and you’ll be on the left one – that’s it!”

  Lily squealed with delight and Moon Pie took it all in stride. What a perfect little round pony. I loved watching them – Lily’s enthusiasm was infectious, and Moon Pie’s polite patience made him perfect for his job.

  My lovely mount arrived with her new groom, and I filled Ashley in on Ben details. She was all e
ars and could not believe he was coming to the show tomorrow. That probably just blew any chance of her having a good lesson this afternoon, but she was so good, I’m sure she’d overcome tomorrow. I eased Viva into her warm-up circles and smiled, so glad to be back where I belonged.

  “Ready for you, Elliott,” Robin said. “Bring her over here and let’s work through the exercises.”

  Back where it belonged, my mind focused on Viva, the jumps, what we were going to likely see in the course, and all the minute details of balance that ensured the best chances of us riding clean rounds.

  Robin was overjoyed at our performance, and I was glad to be concentrating on tomorrow’s challenge. Thoughts of chores, homework, boys, and college banished by the tyranny of the urgent – this moment – our last chance to prepare for the show.

  Everything was ready for tomorrow, but I was not ready to leave Viva. Shadows stretched across the fields beckoning one last ride. I leapt upon her warm, smooth back and rode her bareback to her paddock. When we reached the gate, she paused as I reached for the latch, opened it, and closed it behind us. She dropped her head to graze, and I leaned down to drink in her clean warmth.

  All my nervousness about the next day vanished as I listened to her rhythmic crunch, stomp, chomp while she plucked the grass with her teeth sending its aromatic green smell into the evening’s damp air. The early fall cicadas shimmered their evening serenade in the surrounding trees. I could stay here like this forever and care less whether a cute guy moved in next door and was showing more than a little interest…in me. How would that sit with Ashley?

  No worries – I’m sure Ashley will have him if she wants him. Why don’t I care? Why would I rather be here with Viva? What’s wrong with me?

  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

  Chapter 3 - The Show

  Round and round, muscles rippling, heads lowered, necks stretching long and low suppling, flexing, amazing athletes preparing for excellence under the careful watch of trainers and their riders. So much excitement, today is the day.