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Natalie
Mar 31, 2023 20:51:50 GMT 1
Post by Stinky on Mar 31, 2023 20:51:50 GMT 1
Ages. I have not seen her in ages. Just a few meetings in a life. Me to remember, her to forget.
I saw her in January, but did not write of us until Mum said that I could. A boyfriend, jealous of me, jealous of Jerome’s horses, jealous of anybody that knew Mum.
I know that car. I know the sound. And I know the screams. A heartlift. My gate is shaking, unable to open it, she is battering it. My little limpet just slams into me. Gasping cries and grabbing arms. Her tears scalding my face. Look to Mum, and a sort of smile. ‘Allo Pol’ says the girl. Translating for an embarrassed Mum. And now I know why I have not seen her. A quiet whisper to a face jammed against mine. Jonquille? I actually feel the shiver from this child. Fist and thumb. I think if we meet in years to come, fist and thumb it will be. Gate open and I loose the mini being. No screams. No knock kneed running. Just metres to the paddock and Natalie just walks, slowly. But arms stretched and a face to please the Gods. Short but shrill. A whinny from the paddock. And Jonquille thunders up. I reach to grab Natalie, but Jonquille slides to a halt. And she stands, head down awaiting a child’s touch. Natalie smooths the long face, the long face snuffles and dribbles on hers. I am still here child. First time in my life, someone kisses my hand, shy eyes from Mum. Thank you. It is too late for a ride, but Jerome promises tomorrow. Two hands, a long face, liquid eyes and a child’s kiss, hands wrapped in a mane, no fear, just love. Natalie has changed. A little more serious in her searching looks. Look out world, somebody is coming. Walk back to my place. Bitter wind reddening my nose and wetting my eyes. Natalie, head high, ringlets horizontal in the wind and a smile that says……yes! She is gone, and my sadness is there. But the huge eyes and flattened nose against the car window tell me that all is well. Come see me soon Natalie.
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Post by pcpa on Mar 31, 2023 21:13:01 GMT 1
Tears are running down both my cheeks.
I had not seen the postings from last year so had a good (sniffly) catch up!
I hope neither of us have to wait long for the next episode.
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Post by Stinky on Jul 3, 2023 21:40:41 GMT 1
Natalie comes every few weeks. I suspect Mum does not have a lot of say, but complains not. We have settled. Curly haired, a brown eyed girl stands afore me. Hysterical greetings are done and dusted. A smile older than she will ever be and an outstretched hand. Now I have to go to her. A pride I feel, a nervous and timid child now able to control me. Fist and thumb always a given. And then the limpet bursts from within. My hand, my belt and she climbs up me. Everything gone but her and I. Small face buried in my neck and I always whisper, ‘Jonquille?’ Sometimes a yes, sometimes a nod but always a shiver, excitement, a dream, a hope and her horse. Today is special. Mum, ‘Allo Pol, it is her birthday’ Singing the Happy Birthday tune to her we go to Jerome’s farm. My thumb, Natalie’s fist and Mum just skipping with happiness. Gate is closed. Nobody allowed in today. Natalie is six today and is gone. She shuffles under the gate and is gone. I unlock the gate and close it behind us. Mum chasing a precious child. Paddock empty. No Jonquille. A child crushed and bewildered beyond reason. So I collect her. A crumpled little wreck. And we go to see Jerome. A colt has broken the leccy fence and in her paddock has bitten Jonquille. Double stable and Jerome is treating her shoulder. She sees the child and Jerome is gently pushed aside. Nose to nose, head down and head up. Horse and child. Child and horse. A bond never to be broken. Stitches done and the last bit to be follow. Royal Jelly. The best healer ever. Hairy arm and shovel hand scoops her up. And she is coating a six inch wound with honey. She actually has forehead wrinkles in her concentration. To allow a child to do this to his injured horse is just….. Jerome turns and offers her face to face with Jonquille. A small forehead is pressed to a nose. And love is there. Whoever you are, when you meet Natalie, your life will change.
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Post by norfolk on Jul 3, 2023 21:53:28 GMT 1
Wonderful as usual, thanks.
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Post by Stinky on Jul 10, 2023 21:54:13 GMT 1
And so today got better. An hour at Physio and a rush shop at Intermarche. Not so good. But it got better. She cares not about her volume. Pol! And she is standing in my trolley. Collar held by two hands and brown eyes demanding. The giggle is starting some Grannies off. Natalie cares not, curls flying, she is just gabbling at me. Allo Pol. Allo Mum. Jerome is returning today with Vega, so no horses for Natalie. Vega has raced 142km on Saturday and finished within qualifying time. I ask. She nods. And so I have a limpet coming for some lunch. The squeals are heard by all. Those eyes. All seeing, just too old for such a little girl. She sees your soul. And takes it. Car window with squashed face. Gappy grin. Gate already open to save it damage. The privilege of having somebody just launch themselves at you. With love. With abandonment. Is truly something. Brollies up and lunch being munched. And I hear a noise. Hooves on tarmac. A sort of slide and scrabble on the road. And I just know. Natalie face down in chips and salad. Open the gate and in she comes. Jonquille. You bloody great softie Jerome. Into my courtyard and a little girl in tears. Heaving sobs of happiness. One hand raised and a walk to Jonquille. Long face, wet eyes. Small face wet eyes. Faster than I see, Jerome is down and Natalie is in the saddle. Feet so far from the stirrups. Give what you want. To whoever you want. You will not compete with this moment. Several rounds of the courtyard. And Natalie is face down in a windblown mane. Thankyou Jerome.
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Veem
Member
Posts: 12,008
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Post by Veem on Jul 11, 2023 7:33:52 GMT 1
Another lovely poetic installment Stinky. That has started my day off well. Thank you.
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Natalie
Aug 17, 2023 22:15:51 GMT 1
Post by Stinky on Aug 17, 2023 22:15:51 GMT 1
Two weeks. Two weeks since her last visit. Not mine, not blood, not family, but her impact is devastating. Destined to outlive me, I will never forget her. The car is there. Mum opening the doors and and a mini being exploding back into my life. But not alone. A boy, maybe ten or so, stands awkwardly by the car. No smile, just unsure. Natalie climbing up a big, grey haired old bloke who he cannot understand. Jonquille? I whisper and feel the shiver and hear the shriek from within. Fist and thumb, I walk back to the car. His name is Remy and he is wary of me. Fist and thumb we head to the farm. Five bar gate closed or open, it matters not to Natalie. I am sure she will hurdle it one day. Hundred metres or so away and Jonquille sees her. And so she comes, at a full bloody gallop. Sliding to a halt, she waits by the fence. Remy, eyes like saucers. Unclip the leccy fence and Natalie is in. Long face down, hugged and a little girl’s dress dribbled on. Remy is watching, and I offer a hand. No chance. Awe and fear equal partners in his face. Natalie turns and says ‘this is my horse!’ Remy is watching, just outside of the unclipped fence. Natalie is giggling, stroking, cuddling and talking to ‘her horse’. You can see the itch in Remy. But you can see the fear. Head down and a mane held by a manic little fist, Jonquille happily chews her dress. Mum takes his hand and Jonquille is neared. I see Jerome by the barn, just watching, folded arms and a hint of a grin. Remy is close but scared. Natalie is talking at him, too fast for me. And gets him, two hands pulling one of his. Jonquille is watching, calm and waiting. I have seen this horse race. 140 km was her distance. She was a monster, had to be in front, utterly competitive and not unknown to try to bite horse or jockey trying to pass her. Remy is close to his first ever horse. Brought as a school friend by Natalie. Jonquille, as ever plays the game. Head down and a patient wait. Ringlets framing a gappy grin, she pulls him towards a long face. Scared he stands there, and then Jonquille farts. The biggest raspberry you have ever heard and two children are down, gasping with laughter and just….dying. Head down and Jonquille is nuzzling two wriggling children. I swear she did it on purpose.
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