Summer Magic (16 page)
Authors: Sydell Voeller
Lisa speculated that perhaps Estelle was struggling to shake off her own disappointment about Michael's sudden interest in Rita.
That morning when Estelle had asked Lisa about her relationship with Michael, she'd been quick to give her stamp of approval.
That morning when Estelle had asked Lisa about her relationship with Michael, she'd been quick to give her stamp of approval.
Maybe, too, Estelle was worried Lisa would press her for details about what was going on.
Yet, tempting as it was, Lisa promised herself she wouldn't do that.
No, she wouldn't betray her friendship with Estelle by using her that way.
Whatever it was, Lisa would have to discover it for herself.
Yet, tempting as it was, Lisa promised herself she wouldn't do that.
No, she wouldn't betray her friendship with Estelle by using her that way.
Whatever it was, Lisa would have to discover it for herself.
Every moment possible, she lingered by the back stage door, especially late at night, to watch the Flying Figaros hard at practice.
But each time she did, the hurt only burrowed deeper.
But each time she did, the hurt only burrowed deeper.
The troupe looked fabulous.
Michael and Rita worked together in perfect harmony, almost as if they were made for each other.
Maybe it was because he was not only a professional but also a gifted teacher.
He seemed to know exactly what kind of help Rita needed and was the best one who could show her.
"When will Rita be ready to perform at the shows?" Lisa asked Michael every chance she could get.
She hoped that once Rita's skills were up to par, perhaps they wouldn't need to practice so much.
She hoped that once Rita's skills were up to par, perhaps they wouldn't need to practice so much.
But Michael's answer was always the same.
"I can't say yet, Lisa.
We need a little more time.
The future's still too uncertain."
"I can't say yet, Lisa.
We need a little more time.
The future's still too uncertain."
What future, she couldn't help thinking bitterly.
The troupe's future?
Or more to the point, Michael's future with Rita?
The troupe's future?
Or more to the point, Michael's future with Rita?
One night in Columbus, Ohio, while Jessell and Stern was packing for their next move and Michael and the troupe were busy at practice, Lisa started for the horses' tent to saddle up Ebony.
The mare was long overdue for a good run, Lisa decided, and truth was, Lisa needed some diversion too.
Only three days remained until her evaluation.
Her stomach was a tangle of nerves.
Only three days remained until her evaluation.
Her stomach was a tangle of nerves.
Yes, Lisa needed time again with Ebony.
She would never tire of galloping into the night, the wind smarting her face, the clopping of Ebony's hoof beats, rhythmic and reassuring, beneath her.
Now the anticipation buoyed her and helped compensate for the reality that she could no longer share this time with Michael.
She would never tire of galloping into the night, the wind smarting her face, the clopping of Ebony's hoof beats, rhythmic and reassuring, beneath her.
Now the anticipation buoyed her and helped compensate for the reality that she could no longer share this time with Michael.
Inside the shadowy tent, she squinted for a moment, allowing her eyes to adjust to the portable overhead light. The stable boys had brought in fresh hay, feed, and water. The place looked clean with everything in order.
Good thing they were doing such a great job, Lisa thought.
Michael hadn't set foot here for over a week--at least not as far as she knew.
Good thing they were doing such a great job, Lisa thought.
Michael hadn't set foot here for over a week--at least not as far as she knew.
Immediately she heard a sound, a horse grunting.
She strained her ears to hear better.
It seemed to be coming from the farthermost corner where Ebony was tied.
She strained her ears to hear better.
It seemed to be coming from the farthermost corner where Ebony was tied.
She edged closer, then gasped at the sight that greeted her.
Ebony lay on the ground rolling from side to side.
Her face was tense.
Her breathing was rapid and shallow.
Seeing Lisa, the horse made a feeble attempt to heave to her feet, then crumpled back down again.
She let out another grunt and rolled over.
Ebony lay on the ground rolling from side to side.
Her face was tense.
Her breathing was rapid and shallow.
Seeing Lisa, the horse made a feeble attempt to heave to her feet, then crumpled back down again.
She let out another grunt and rolled over.
Every nerve in Lisa's body seemed to stand at alert.
Colic!
She and Doc Largent had treated a stallion with colic only weeks before Lisa had left Long Island.
The horse had nearly died.
Ebony showed all the classic symptoms.
Colic!
She and Doc Largent had treated a stallion with colic only weeks before Lisa had left Long Island.
The horse had nearly died.
Ebony showed all the classic symptoms.
"Don't you dare keep rolling!" Lisa cried, fighting back panic.
She had to stop Ebony.
Rolling could cause her intestine to twist, bursting a blood vessel.
And if her intestines were already twisted, then rolling would only make it worse.
She had to stop Ebony.
Rolling could cause her intestine to twist, bursting a blood vessel.
And if her intestines were already twisted, then rolling would only make it worse.
Hands trembling, Lisa unfastened the halter and coaxed Ebony into a standing position.
No one else was around to help.
Not any of the stable boys.
Not even Hoshi.
No one else was around to help.
Not any of the stable boys.
Not even Hoshi.
With measured gait, she began walking the horse.
Out from the tent and into the lot.
Out from the tent and into the lot.
Lisa's mind raced.
She needed to find Dr. Woodstock! She needed to find him fast!
How long had Ebony been ill? Why hadn't anyone else found her?
She needed to find Dr. Woodstock! She needed to find him fast!
How long had Ebony been ill? Why hadn't anyone else found her?
But on second thought, she couldn't lay blame on the stable boys.
It was Michael who was at fault.
He'd made a promise to Ed Figaro.
Ebony was Michael's responsibility. Clearly Michael had let his father down.
It was Michael who was at fault.
He'd made a promise to Ed Figaro.
Ebony was Michael's responsibility. Clearly Michael had let his father down.
Lisa tugged at the horse's halter and quickened her pace, but Ebony stopped in her tracks and refused to go on. Her eyes were glazed over with pain.
The sweat glistened on her hide, illuminated by the glare of a streetlight.
Then the mare flopped down again and started to thrash.
The sweat glistened on her hide, illuminated by the glare of a streetlight.
Then the mare flopped down again and started to thrash.
"Come on, girl," Lisa pleaded.
"Get up!
Stay on your feet."
Lisa caught sight of Walter as he jumped down from inside one of the semitrailers that hauled the elephants.
"Get up!
Stay on your feet."
Lisa caught sight of Walter as he jumped down from inside one of the semitrailers that hauled the elephants.
"Walter!" she hollered.
"Come here!
Quick!"
"Come here!
Quick!"
He rushed to meet her, then dropped his gaze to Ebony. "Oh, no!"
"Yes," Lisa puffed.
"Colic, I suspect.
Help me get Ebony up.
We have to keep her walking."
Together they urged the mare to her feet.
"Have you seen Dr. Woodstock?" Lisa asked desperately.
"Colic, I suspect.
Help me get Ebony up.
We have to keep her walking."
Together they urged the mare to her feet.
"Have you seen Dr. Woodstock?" Lisa asked desperately.
"I talked with him about an hour ago.
He and a few of the animal keepers were going to Hoshi's trailer.
Today is Hoshi's birthday, and they're celebrating."
He and a few of the animal keepers were going to Hoshi's trailer.
Today is Hoshi's birthday, and they're celebrating."
She thrust the halter into Walter's hand.
"I need your help.
Please don't let Ebony go down again!
After I find Dr. Woodstock, I'll be right back!"
"I need your help.
Please don't let Ebony go down again!
After I find Dr. Woodstock, I'll be right back!"
"You got it."
Lisa dashed off.
The toe of her sneaker caught on a snag, and she nearly tripped.
Righting herself, she kept running.
In no time she arrived at Hoshi's trailer.
The sounds of talking and laughter drifted from inside.
The toe of her sneaker caught on a snag, and she nearly tripped.
Righting herself, she kept running.
In no time she arrived at Hoshi's trailer.
The sounds of talking and laughter drifted from inside.
Someone was standing in the open doorway.
Peering inside, Lisa realized, to her relief, it was the vet.
Peering inside, Lisa realized, to her relief, it was the vet.
"Dr. Woodstock," she called.
"Please!
Come quickly!"
"Please!
Come quickly!"
"What's the matter?" he asked, his voice fringed with irritation.
"It's Ebony!
S-she's in a lot of pain!
Sweating. Thrashing about.
Colic...I think."
Lisa stopped to try to catch her breath.
S-she's in a lot of pain!
Sweating. Thrashing about.
Colic...I think."
Lisa stopped to try to catch her breath.
"What?"
His mouth dropped open.
"Colic, you say?"
His mouth dropped open.
"Colic, you say?"
"Yes...at least I suspect so.
I found her alone about a half an hour ago...rolling.
The stable boys...they were nowhere in sight.
So I started walking her, then I found Walter.
He's trying to keep her on her feet right now!"
I found her alone about a half an hour ago...rolling.
The stable boys...they were nowhere in sight.
So I started walking her, then I found Walter.
He's trying to keep her on her feet right now!"
Instantly the irritation melted from his face.
"I'll take a look at her, Lisa!
Right away."
"I'll take a look at her, Lisa!
Right away."
"Yes, hurry!"
As they broke into a fast stride, it suddenly dawned on her.
For the first time, Dr. Woodstock had addressed her by her first name.
As they broke into a fast stride, it suddenly dawned on her.
For the first time, Dr. Woodstock had addressed her by her first name.
"The reason you couldn't find any of the stable boys was because most of them were with Hoshi," the vet explained, three paces ahead of her.
"It's a good thing Walter knew my whereabouts."
The admiration in his voice was unmistakable. "Good work, Lisa.
If a colicky horse isn’t kept walking, the consequences could prove fatal"
"It's a good thing Walter knew my whereabouts."
The admiration in his voice was unmistakable. "Good work, Lisa.
If a colicky horse isn’t kept walking, the consequences could prove fatal"
At the thought, Lisa shuddered. “I know that.” A swell of pride momentarily nudged away her fear for Ebony.
Dr. Woodstock's praise was sincere, she could tell.
He was no longer treating her like an outsider.
Dr. Woodstock's praise was sincere, she could tell.
He was no longer treating her like an outsider.
"We'll start treatment right away," he was saying. "First try to rule out any of the more serious possible causes."
"Like a twisted intestine?" she asked.
"That's right."
He pursed his lips, then frowned.
He pursed his lips, then frowned.
"First we must give Ebony a shot into a vein in her neck to bring down any inflammation.
If the intestine is indeed twisted, the medication might relax it sufficiently so it'll correct itself.
I may need to do a rectal exam, too, and see if I can feel anything."
If the intestine is indeed twisted, the medication might relax it sufficiently so it'll correct itself.
I may need to do a rectal exam, too, and see if I can feel anything."
They found Walter walking Ebony at the spot where Lisa had left them.
Immediately all three got to work.
But after Dr. Woodstock had administered the injection and Ebony's condition hadn't improved, Lisa's hopes paled.
Immediately all three got to work.
But after Dr. Woodstock had administered the injection and Ebony's condition hadn't improved, Lisa's hopes paled.
The vet snapped off his rubber gloves and shook his head.
"Yep.
Just as I feared.
We don't dare wait any longer.
I'll call ahead to the nearest equine surgical center.
Walter, go fetch the stable boys.
Have them line up a driver.
Lisa, you stay here with Ebony."
"Yep.
Just as I feared.
We don't dare wait any longer.
I'll call ahead to the nearest equine surgical center.
Walter, go fetch the stable boys.
Have them line up a driver.
Lisa, you stay here with Ebony."
Fresh fear gripped her.
"She's going to need an operation?"
"She's going to need an operation?"
"Yes.
The sooner, the better."
The sooner, the better."
His confirmation hit Lisa like a death toll.
In only minutes, Ebony would be loaded into a horse trailer and shipped off.
Dear, beautiful, wonderful Ebony.
In only minutes, Ebony would be loaded into a horse trailer and shipped off.
Dear, beautiful, wonderful Ebony.
"May I go with her?" she pleaded.
"Someone's going to have to keep her up till they get to the surgical center."
"Someone's going to have to keep her up till they get to the surgical center."
"No, you'd better stay.
I might need your help in the event another emergency arises.
Hoshi can ride along instead."
I might need your help in the event another emergency arises.
Hoshi can ride along instead."
"Okay."
She couldn't stop her hands from trembling. What if she never saw the mare again?
She couldn't stop her hands from trembling. What if she never saw the mare again?
*****
Lisa stood next to Dr. Woodstock watching the truck and horse trailer cart Ebony down the highway.
The red tail lights grew dim, smaller, then faded into the darkness.
The red tail lights grew dim, smaller, then faded into the darkness.
Tears swam before her eyes.
"Are you all right, my dear?" he asked.
"Would you like me to stay with you for a while?"
"Would you like me to stay with you for a while?"
Backhanding a tear that had escaped down her cheek, she sent him a tremulous smile.
"Thanks.
I'll be fine.
I...I just need to be alone for awhile.
I'll be good as new after I get some sleep."
"Thanks.
I'll be fine.
I...I just need to be alone for awhile.
I'll be good as new after I get some sleep."
"If you change your mind, let me know.
I'll probably be up late doing paperwork anyway."
All traces of gruffness had disappeared from his voice.
I'll probably be up late doing paperwork anyway."
All traces of gruffness had disappeared from his voice.
"Yes.
Thanks again.
Goodnight, Dr. Woodstock."
Thanks again.
Goodnight, Dr. Woodstock."
"Sleep well, Lisa."
She turned slowly on her heel and started for the tight cluster of RVs.
As she walked along, her gaze swept the deserted grounds.
All was quiet except for an occasional screech of a monkey, the sound of an elephant trumpeting. Trunks, equipment, and props lay stored in trucks and trailers, waiting for the next morning's departure.
As she walked along, her gaze swept the deserted grounds.
All was quiet except for an occasional screech of a monkey, the sound of an elephant trumpeting. Trunks, equipment, and props lay stored in trucks and trailers, waiting for the next morning's departure.
Without Ebony.
Ebony
, Lisa silently pleaded.
Please come back.
Please don't die.
She licked at another salty tear, suddenly aware she was covered with goose-flesh.
Please come back.
Please don't die.
She licked at another salty tear, suddenly aware she was covered with goose-flesh.
The sound of approaching footsteps stopped her.
She looked up.
She looked up.
"Michael!"
Indignation flared.
He'd missed it all! Throughout the entire crisis, he'd been no where around.
Indignation flared.
He'd missed it all! Throughout the entire crisis, he'd been no where around.
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