Trickster

Chapter Fifteen

Now, it’s midnight, and David can’t fall asleep. He keeps thinking of Trickster. The other horses, too, but mostly Trickster. Is he sleeping? Awake? Is he even alive?

Brian jerks in his sleep and makes a sound like a surprised pig. He still smells like popcorn from his movie theater job. David turns over in his bed. If he was going to go back to the barn, which he’s not, he’d have to do something crazy like ride his bike there. It’s got to be at least five miles. That’s way too far.

David closes his eyes to go to sleep again. But he still can’t sleep. It only takes a few minutes for him to get dressed, write a note for Mom, and head to the garage. He quietly rolls up the garage door, checks the light on his bike, and puts on his helmet. Time to hit the road.

When he finally reaches Mr. Quinn’s, all the lights are on in the foaling barn. David can hear people talking, and their voices sound tense. David leans his bike against the wall. What does he do now?

David peeks in the door, staying in the shadows so no one can see him. The foaling barn is crowded with veterinary supplies and oxygen tanks. Claiborne and Gus are breathing through horse oxygen masks. Elsa is lying in her stall, breathing heavily. Gertie and Trickster are wired up to heart monitors. Trickster’s coat is shiny with sweat and drool leaks from his mouth. His eyes blink slowly.

Suddenly, Gertie throws herself against the side of the stall. The noise startles Trickster, who flinches. Mr. Quinn strokes Gertie’s neck, and wishes aloud that he had taken them all into the hospital, no matter the cost.

Jared glances at his watch, and regrettably says that he should go home. His parents wanted him back at midnight due to a Spanish test the following morning. Mr. Quinn takes a deep breath, nods, and says Linda should go home, too. She needs to get rest because the next morning, she’ll have to be back to give the other horses clean hay for breakfast.

David hides around the side of the barn while Linda and Jared leave. This was a really dumb idea. David should go home and get back in bed. If Mom catches him, he’ll be grounded until he’s fifty.

Just then, Dr. Gabe shouts to watch out. David peeks in the barn and sees Trickster on the ground, shaking violently. A seizure. Without thinking, David rushes into the foaling barn, slides to the floor, and brushes his forelock out of his eyes. When the adults get past their initial astonishment at seeing David, Mr. Quinn sits down next to David and puts his arm around his shoulders. They’re doing everything they can.

Trickster twitches again and snorts. His nostrils flare and his eyelids flutter. Dr. Mac leans over with her stethoscope and reports the seizure is over and his heart rate is slowing a bit.

David asks Mr. Quinn if he’s going to make him leave again. He promises he won’t get in the way. Mr. Quinn nods, and says David can stay. He’ll call David’s mother. Maybe it’s because David’s tired, or because of the dim light in the barn, but it almost looks like Mr. Quinn is smiling.

When Mr. Quinn returns, he’s carrying a six-pack of soda. He says David’s mom says he can stay. She’s not as angry as they thought she’d be. She was mostly just worried about David. In fact, Mr. Quinn hasn’t really spoken to her since David’s dad left.

Dr. Mac asks David to get the wheelbarrow to muck out the mess. It’s getting too smelly in the foaling barn, even for her. Once the stalls are clean, Dr. Gabe sends David for fresh water. After that, it’s unloading more supplies from the van. David does all sorts of little chores so the vets and Mr. Quinn can focus on the patients. The heart monitors beep, oxygen canisters hiss, and horses cough and whinny.

Around three o’clock, Dr. Gabe goes to the office to get some shut-eye. He’ll be in charge of the clinic on Monday, so he’ll need a clear head. David wraps himself in a horse blanket and sits next to Trickster. His heart rate has slowed to fifty-five beats per minute, which is much healthier.

Mr. Quinn and Dr. Mac are sipping coffee talking in the corner about Starfire. Mr. Quinn says that you only get one horse like Starfire in your life. He was the finest animal he ever met. He was stubborn when Mr. Quinn first got him, but he learned, as did Mr. Quinn. David knows it’ll be a long time before Mr. Quinn gets over the loss of Starfire.

David leans against the post to get comfortable, keeping one hand on Trickster. David can feel his strong and steady pulse. Comforted by the thought they’re going to ride together someday, David closes his eyes.

When David wakes up, a bird is twittering overhead. He shakes himself with a jolt. How is Trickster? Dr. Mac chuckles and tells David to relax. David turns to see Trickster standing over him. He bobs his head and nickers.

Dr. Mac says he’s not feeling 100% yet, but he made it through the night. They all did. They’ll need extra attention for a few weeks, but things are looking rather positive.

Mr. Quinn comes into the stable and announces there’s pancakes and sausage in the house for them. The best way to keep good stable hands is to feed them well. With a smile on her face, Dr. Mac leaves the barn, leaving David and Mr. Quinn alone.

Mr. Quinn holds up his hand to prevent David from leaving. He says he’s been thinking. Uh-oh. This can’t be good.

Mr. Quinn explains that he and David haven’t always seen eye-to-eye. He doesn’t have any kids of his own, and watching David grow up, well, he could never figure David out. David replies he understands. He won’t come back anymore. But Mr. Quinn interrupts him. David is just like his father… not listening!

Mr. Quinn clears his throat, and says he’s trying to say thank you. For caring about the horses, and for coming back last night. Having David around made a big difference, to the docs, to Trickster, and to Mr. Quinn. And David didn’t complain, and he did everything he was told. Mr. Quinn is proud of David, and he knows David’s dad would be, too.

In fact, Mr. Quinn wants to hire David. Any time David is free, he can come over and be put to work. Mr. Quinn can pay him in cash or lessons. If he picks lessons, then maybe he can ride Trickster. Trickster’ll need a rider who understands mischief. Mr. Quinn holds out his hand for a shake on their deal.

David reaches for his hand, and then pulls back. First, David should remove the pile of manure behind the toolshed. Mr. Quinn doesn’t want to know how it got there, but cleaning it up will make David feel better. And then he can go eat pancakes and all the sausage Mr. Quinn’s got.

Mr. Quinn laughs so loud it wakes all the horses up in the barn. They poke their heads out to see the commotion. Trickster bobs his head up and down, his forelock falling into his eyes. David smiles. Someday, they’re going to ride.