An Inconvience...

[Ethan James]

Ethan James

I heaved the large duffel bag onto my shoulder, heading to largest building, what looked like a house. According to the map in my envelope, it was the Ranch House, where Abby lived. I figured I might as well say high.

I mounted the front porch steps, making my way to the large oak door. The wind was blowing as I stood out on the front porch, pondering if I should knock or just walk right in. I decided with the first.

I rapped my knuckles on the thick door, hearing their faint presence on the other side. There was no answer, just an eerie quite. I shrug slightly, and grab the door knob. It gave way easily under the pressure I applied.

I took a step into the foyer. It was large from inside, somewhat similar to the large household that I'd lived in for the first 18 years of my life. Nothing superior jumped out at me, though the rustic feeling was dominant.

Hello? Anyone here? Abby? I called out to the silence that surrounded me. The feeling of uneasiness was unbearable. I took a step farther, looking to my right which was a grand dining room.

There was a large table in the center, just sitting there, empty. I ducked in, heading towards the other exit, one that lead to the kitchen. Hello? Abby? I called out to the person that I had no real proof existed, except for a stable...

[Kaylee O'Connor]

Abby closed the barn door as she left the building. She left it slightly ajar. Even though it was the middle of summer, one of the hottest times around here, there was the light breeze blowing through. The barn had air conditioning but the horses didn't enjoy the sounds that it made. Leaving the door cracked kept the horses happier anyways.

Walking up to the ranch house, Abby pulled the hair band out of her hair and let it lay on her shoulders. Reaching her hand up, she ran it through her hair, trying to free the fly a ways from her sweat caked forehead.

Once she reached the back door of the house, she opened the door and stepped into the kitchen. It still smelled of the muffins she had made of breakfast and left on the counter. Looking at them, she grabbed one and bit into it. It was still soft and filled her up right away. Grabbing a glass of water, she headed upstairs. Downing the water, she stepped into her bathroom that was off of her room.

Abby turned the water on and let it warm up to a good temperature. Once it was there, she took off her work clothes and hopped into the shower. As she was putting the shampoo into her hair, she heard a knock on the door. Crap. She said she she hurriedly rinsed the soap out of her hair. Once all the soap was gone, she turned off the water and wrapped her towel around her. Walking into her room, she grabbed an outfit at random. Throwing on the white shirt and sweatpants shorts, she squeezed her hair with her towel. Ran a brush through her hair really fast, she left her room.

Dashing down the stairs, she went to the front door. Opening it, she looked out. Seeing no one, she closed the door. She turned around and got ready to go back up stairs when she heard a call. Hello? Abby? The call came from the dining room off to her left. She turned and headed towards the dinning room. When she enter, she saw no one. She heard a sound coming from the kitchen. Walking towards the kitchen door, she walked into kitchen. Seeing the boy in front of her, she cleared her throat. You called for me?

[Ethan James]

Ethan James

I stood there, feeling stupid for calling out to a non-existent person. I looked at the muffins laying on the counter, one missing. They were still warm, though I didn't eat one.

There was a soft hum coming from upstairs, something similar to running water. The thought had slipped my mind that she might have been showering. As I called out the sound shut off, leaving me in the quiet.

There was a scurrying of footsteps from above me, making me wonder if I had interrupted something. There was a faint pattering as someone ran down the stairs, a click as the door was opened and closed.

I could feel the presence before the cough, or the words. You called for me? She asked. I spun slowly, taking in the situation. I gave her a slight smile as I spoke. If you're Abby. I'm, uh, Ethan James.

I stuck out a hand for her to shake, taking in her appearance. I guess I must have interrupted her shower since her hair was went, brushed back. She had a pair of clothes on, though you could tell she just grabbed them quickly.

I'm, uh, sorry for this inconvenience. If I interrupted you or anything. I said, drawing my hand back, running it through my hair. I casted my eyes away from her, hoping I hadn't embarrassed either of us.

[Kaylee O'Connor]

As Abby made her way towards the kitchen, she listened for any sounds that would tell her if anyone was in another room. As the door clicked up, she watched Ethan spin around. He was tall, she had to give him that. He was at least six inches taller then her. She wasn't used to feeling short. She had always been the tall one, hardly anyone was taller then her.

She saw him smile at her. If you're Abby. I'm, uh, Ethan James. Abby smiled and then answered his question. Yup. I'm Abby. Nice to meet you Ethan. As he stuck out his hand, Abby grasped it then shook it. After they had shaken hands, Abby let go of Ethan's.

I'm, uh, sorry for this inconvenience. If I interrupted you or anything. Abby giggled a little bit then walked further into the kitchen. Oh, It's no problem. I was almost done anyways. She grabbed a cup and pored some water into it. Turning around, she sipped at the water and watched Ethan. What brings you here?

[Ethan James]

Ethan James

He looked at the lady that stood in front of him. She was short, about half a foot, give or take. He had to cast a downward glance as he spoke to her. He takes in a moment to notice her. Her hair is blond, her eyes a gray color, with blue and green intertwined. She didn't look much older then me, though she ran the place.

He took a step back, listening to her speak. Yup. I'm Abby. Nice to meet you Ethan. He felt her hand grasp his. Something different then what he was used to. Most women had a gentle hand, no Abby had an air about her. She strikes me as the kind of woman that would do just about anything to help you out, though she could also get a temper if need be.

Yea, nice to meet you too. I said, increased my smile, only do to her response to my first one. I listened to her giggle. Oh, It's no problem. I was almost done anyways. Well, that's good, I guess. I said, rubbing my neck a little more. I watched as she grabbed a cup, pouring some water into it from the faucet.

She then turned around and asked What brings you here? as she watched me. Well, you should know that, I mean you are the one that allowed me to come here didn't you? You had to have read my application didn't you? I asked her. I knew it was hard process getting to come here. This was a very popular riding stable though in actuality it is a rehab center.

I took a step backwards, grabbing a chair from the kitchen table. I twisted it around and straddled it backwards. I placed my head on the back, and then spoke to her again. I figured, I should let you in on the fact that my mustang is coming in tomorrow. If I'm still allowed to have a vehicle while I'm here. I waited for her to answer. Well, that and the fact that I will have a horse arriving here in a couple of days. I bought him while I was on the plain. That is ok isn't it?

[Kaylee O'Connor]

Abby watched Ethan have to look down when he spoke to her. It made her feel, way shorter then she really was. Smiling, she inclined her head back a bit to look up at him. The light that came in through the window shown on his blond hair and made it look as if he had a halo.

As they shook hands, Abby liked what she felt. His shake was firm and strong, a lot like her own. Her hands were slightly callused against his. Water from her hair dripped down onto her arm and ran down onto their hands. Sorry about that. She said.

Yea, nice to meet you too. She saw his smile widen and smiled wider herself. She couldn't help it, she fed off other people's emotions and made them her own. Well, that's good, I guess. As she sipped on her water, she watched him rub his neck. Putting the water down on the counter, she spoke. Where are my manners. Would you like some?

Well, you should know that, I mean you are the one that allowed me to come here didn't you? You had to have read my application didn't you? Abby nodded and grabbed the cup again. Taking a sip, she then put it back down. Well yes, I do know, but I like to hear every one's own stories, told by themselves.

As he pulled a chair out from the table, Abby pulled herself up onto the counter. He flipped the chair around and leaned his head on the back. Abby remembered doing that when she was little when she was getting told off by her parents.

I figured, I should let you in on the fact that my mustang is coming in tomorrow. If I'm still allowed to have a vehicle while I'm here. That shouldn't be a problem... She began but was cut off. Well, that and the fact that I will have a horse arriving here in a couple of days. I bought him while I was on the plain. That is ok isn't it? Do you know anything about this horse? Or was this just a spur the moment thing?

[Ethan James]

I noticed the way she had to tilt her head back, making her seem shorter then she really was, but there was still a smile o her face. Her apology was sweet, caring. I watched as she drank her water, sipping it as she watched me. Where are my manners. Would you like some? rang in my head and it took me a moment to think about what she was talking about.

No thank you. and then the rest of her sentence stuck in my head. Well yes, I do know, but I like to hear every one's own stories, told by themselves. Ohh, well, I guess that is a good thing to do.. But I have a feeling my story is the wrong kind for introductions. But maybe, in some time we can discuss it over a cup of coffee? I said, flashing my award winning smile. I knew it was probably against some form of policy to fraternize with the patients, but I really didn't care. I had a feeling that I would only be seeing Abby and a couple of other girls for quite some time.

She watched me pull out my chair, swinging around backwards as I straddled it. Somehow I wondered what her story was. What made her come here and create this place for all these needy people. That shouldn't be a problem... she said to the car, but when it came to the horse, she had just a few more questions. Do you know anything about this horse? Or was this just a spur the moment thing?

Well, see what had happened wuz... I said in my "playing dumb" voice with a smile, but then continued in a southern drawl. I was on the plane next to a man by the name of Bubba, Bubba Kelmrouski. He said he owned a horse farm down in Georgia, and that he had a real firebird. So I just smiled and told him to please explain. He said that the horse was a blood relative of Secretariat, and that he was a direct sibling of Barbaro. Course, I knew they were good horses, and he knew that, but he said that the horse didn't have the drive. He was fast as hell, but he was cocky. That he was a high strung thoroughbred.

That no matter what they did, they couldn't break him. He said that the colt out runned his prized mare by a half-minute. Course, I thought this man was just talking bull, but he was serious. He showed me the stop watch, and a video. I was quite impressed. But then he said that he was really deep in debt and that he needed to get a winner from that colt, or get rid of him. So I simply weaseled him out of a multi-million dollar winning horse.

I leaned back taking in her look. I wasn't sure how she'd react, but I knew she'd be semi-mad or something. I was hear to get over the conning and stuff, but I couldn't even drop it on the plane ride here. So in essences, it was a spur of the moment buy, but I have all his pedigree papers, and coggins report here. And anything else that you might need. I dug through the duffel bag on the floor next to me, pulling out a manila envelope, handing it to her. So, will this cause a problem with my "rehab?" I asked sort of in a cocky way.