Morning Star (11 page)

When he returned a few minutes later he had a glass in his hand. In the glass was a dark blue flower along with the dirt from the garden in front of his house where Cindy had planted it.  

He handed it to the boy's mother through the car's open window. "Can't make any promises, but it worked for my girl. Put it next to his bed and don't forget to water it once in a while."

Nate climbed back on Betsy. "I've got a feeling before long it will blossom into a beautiful rose," he said before galloping away.

One morning as the month neared an end he found Dannie in the corral. Morning Star had knelt in front of her and she caressed his forehead.

"He needs to go home now dad. He told me last night in a dream."

Dannie looked up at her father. "He doesn't want me to be sad. He says there are other children that need to be taken care of. He says he belongs to them too."

They followed Dannie's instructions and left late that same night. Martha packed them brown bags for their breakfast. Before they left, the nurse walked to Morning Star, now carrying Dannie in the saddle. She whispered something in his ear before she turned and walked into the house.

They rode across the open plains, the three, and the sky on the horizon had begun to evolve from black to a light blue when they reached their destination.

"I think we're here," Nate said as he urged Betsy to a stop. Cindy pulled up on his right. Dannie and Morning Star moved to his left.

Ahead of them lay a deep slice in the earth. They called it the Pallidan Gorge in honor of its discoverer. For miles in either direction a ravine split the ground. At some points the gorge measured nearly a half a mile from one side to the other. Here, where they stood, it looked the width of a city block.

Nate studied the crevice. "You sure this is the right place Dannie? It's a long way across."

"I'm sure dad."

She climbed off of Morning Star. Nate and Cindy followed.

Nate walked over to the horse and uncinched the saddle and pulled it and the blanket off. He then removed the horse's bridle. As soon as he did so Betsy trotted over, and gently nudged the horse, head to head, before moving away.

Nate ran his hand across the horse’s mane. “You saved my daughter. I’ll remember you for as long as I live.” He patted Morning Star’s flank. “Have a safe trip home.”

He took the blanket and saddle over to Comanche, the horse they brought with them for the ride home. Dannie walked to Morning Star. Cindy started to follow but Nate held her back.

"Give them a minute," he said.

It was time for Dannie's goodbyes and she said them without tears.

"I love you Star. I always will."

The horse knelt down in front of the girl, and Dannie kissed his cheek.

"I'll always remember you Morning Star."

The horse rose to a stand and looked at Dannie. He turned toward her father and stepmother and acknowledged them with a nod of his head.

Morning Star looked once more at the girl before he galloped back in the direction from which they came. When he was small in the distance he stopped and turned. He rose up on his hind legs, high in the air and neighed so loudly the sound echoed across the emptiness.

Nate and Cindy came up behind Dannie and placed their hands on her shoulders.

He hit the ground in a run, bolting forth as if shot from a cannon. He sped forward with such force that a cloud of dust resembling a small tornado gathered behind him.

He tore by them in a blur of muscle and strength and when he came to the gorge he leaped into the air without slowing.

He flew high above the earth, his long dark mane swirled in the air above him. The horse crossed over into the first light of dawn and cleared the other side with room to spare.

Nate saw them then, in the beginning of a new day. Flowers that looked like roses, dark blue in color, graced the soil where the horse landed. A landscape brimming with them for as far as the eye could see, and Katy stood there among them, as did his parents. They smiled at him and he felt their love one final time before they faded from his sight.

Morning Star ran into the rising sun and the flowers on either side of him blossomed as he passed by them.

Nate lifted Dannie up in his arms and onto his shoulders. All three watched as the horse grew smaller, before vanishing in the sky.

"Goodbye Morning Star," Dannie said before he lowered her to the ground.

Dannie sat on Comanche. She patted his neck, a good sign. Cindy sat next to them on Silver.

"Can I hold Morning Star's bridle, mom?" 

She handed it to her daughter and patted her leg.

"Ready to go home?"   

"Yeah, mom. Let's go home," Dannie replied.

"He'll always be with you Dannie," her father said. 

Dannie pulled up beside him. "Yes, I know. He told me that in a dream." 

He urged Betsy into a trot. Dannie kept pace on his left, Cindy on his right. In front of them a star, the last of the night sky, glowed brightly in defiance of the coming dawn. Together they rode toward it.

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