(not indented)He winked and left Anna with many questions. Anna didn't have any time to waste. She was late getting to work but not entirely since she wasn't scolded at by the powers.
Gathering her belongings, she headed to room 115. Some of her students were waiting with eager smiles. She shooed the kids off to play outside, encouraging them to enjoy the outdoors and to maintain a healthy weight so as to not be a victim of obesity. Anna got her things situated for the day, all the while humming to "Heartbreaker" by Ryan Kelly of Celtic Thunder. This song kind of fitted Anna's first impressions of Mr. Fin McGee.
The bell woke Anna out of her daydream because now was teh time to each. Anna loved to teach children almost as much as visiting Ireland. To her it seemed as if everyday had new surprises even if the day was going horrible. So as the students were taking their seats, Miss Quinn decided what to do first.
"Okay, guys, listen up! You have two options: either start work and have me tell a story later or tell the story now and work the rest of the day." The kids loved to hear Miss Quinn's stories because most of them were about Ireland so it was a hard decision for them to make. When Miss Quinn saw the difficulty of this decision, she decided to do something nice and quite surprising for a woman like her.
Showing posts with label Ireland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ireland. Show all posts
Friday, November 26, 2010
Monday, August 9, 2010
A Dream Come True #2
"Yeah, I guess I'll go, too. I have to pick up a wee lad and take him to the park."
"Aww. How old is this wee lad, if I may ask?"
"He's four. I'm just going to teach him how to catch a ball so he can start playin' when he and I return home."
"How sweet." Anna's brain had a moment of catching up before she said, "Wait. 'Return home'? I thought you just moved here from Ireland? You're not staying?"
Fin looked at Anna, puzzled. "Yeah. I had to finish a few things up here and see some sights before I left."
Anna didn't know what to say because she didn't understand what he meant by 'finish a few things up'. Why would someone leave their home to travel somewhere else to 'finish a few things up', especially one from Ireland. She knew how she felt returning home. She couldn't fathom his motives and really didn't want to.
"Oh. Well, I hope you enjoy yourself."
With a smirk and a seductive purr in his voice, he said, "Well, of course, love. Why wouldn't I?"
"Aww. How old is this wee lad, if I may ask?"
"He's four. I'm just going to teach him how to catch a ball so he can start playin' when he and I return home."
"How sweet." Anna's brain had a moment of catching up before she said, "Wait. 'Return home'? I thought you just moved here from Ireland? You're not staying?"
Fin looked at Anna, puzzled. "Yeah. I had to finish a few things up here and see some sights before I left."
Anna didn't know what to say because she didn't understand what he meant by 'finish a few things up'. Why would someone leave their home to travel somewhere else to 'finish a few things up', especially one from Ireland. She knew how she felt returning home. She couldn't fathom his motives and really didn't want to.
"Oh. Well, I hope you enjoy yourself."
With a smirk and a seductive purr in his voice, he said, "Well, of course, love. Why wouldn't I?"
Thursday, June 17, 2010
A Dream Come True #1
*Note: This is not the beginning of the story. It's where I chose to begin.*
"I've never seen you here before."
"Yeah, well, I just moved here from Ireland but plan on moving back after I finish looking for something."
This man looked a lot like the one in Anna's dreams. He had the same facial features and was built the same way. Scary to think this strange man resembled the on her dreams.
"Umm, sorry, but I didn't seem to catch your name."
"Finnegan McGee but everyone calls me Fin." He had this sort of gleam in his blue eyes that told her to be wary of him. "May I ask what you call yourself?" He even had the same raspy voice. Shivers ran up her spine; he noticed. "Somethin' the matter, beautiful?"
"N-n-no. I'm just a bit lightheaded, that's all." Anna was blushing from having to lie. "My name is Anna, Annabelle Quinn."
He extended his hand and said, "Nice to meet ya, Anna." Shaking his hand brought back the sensations from her dreams. Could this be a coincidence?
Mr. McGee was standing there, looking at Anna like he was going to snatch her up. Another shiver ran through her body.
"Is somethin' the matter? You have shivered twice. Are ya sure ya don't have a fever or somethin'? I could take ya home if ya liked."
"No, I"m fine. Thanks though. I guess I'll see ya around." Anna was afraid to stay much longer because Fin seemed a bit mysterious.
"I've never seen you here before."
"Yeah, well, I just moved here from Ireland but plan on moving back after I finish looking for something."
This man looked a lot like the one in Anna's dreams. He had the same facial features and was built the same way. Scary to think this strange man resembled the on her dreams.
"Umm, sorry, but I didn't seem to catch your name."
"Finnegan McGee but everyone calls me Fin." He had this sort of gleam in his blue eyes that told her to be wary of him. "May I ask what you call yourself?" He even had the same raspy voice. Shivers ran up her spine; he noticed. "Somethin' the matter, beautiful?"
"N-n-no. I'm just a bit lightheaded, that's all." Anna was blushing from having to lie. "My name is Anna, Annabelle Quinn."
He extended his hand and said, "Nice to meet ya, Anna." Shaking his hand brought back the sensations from her dreams. Could this be a coincidence?
Mr. McGee was standing there, looking at Anna like he was going to snatch her up. Another shiver ran through her body.
"Is somethin' the matter? You have shivered twice. Are ya sure ya don't have a fever or somethin'? I could take ya home if ya liked."
"No, I"m fine. Thanks though. I guess I'll see ya around." Anna was afraid to stay much longer because Fin seemed a bit mysterious.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Dream #1
His lips were so warm, so irresistible. Locked with mine was where they belonged. It was like floating on a cloud. He would always be there no matter what. My angel.
I woke with a start. For the third time I've had that same dream. The same one where I'm wrapped comfortably in his warm embrace and in the same instant, locking lips that taste like raspberries. You'd think I'd get used to it by the third time but each time, something minisculed is different and each time it adds to the intensity. The strangest part is that it's the same guy but he, too, is somehow different.
It was no use staying in bed; I had to get up and go to work. If it wasn't for those kids, I would stay in bed and dwell on that dream, try to seek its meaning. But I promised myself I'd get up and go to work for the safety and well-being of those kids and that means getting out of bed, walking the few steps to the chilly bathroom, taking a hot shower, and get dressed in khakis and whatever dressy shirt appealed to me. After dressing, I headed downstairs to the kitchen to fix myself some breakfast. This morning I didn't feel like cooking eggs, bacon, and toast so I fixed me a bowl of cereal. Not the healthiest of breakfasts or as filling but it'd satisfy my hunger.
After I ate breakfast and put the dishes in the sink, I grabbed my things to head to work. Outside the door is my morning newspaper so I picked that up and took it with me to read it at lunchtime. I put all my things on the front seat of my baby blue '57 Chevrolet Bel Air and drove off to a place I didn't want to be at the moment.
Driving has its pros and cons: today's con was having too much time to dwell on the dream I've had three times now. I can't seem to fathom the warmth of the kiss, the man behind the kisses, and the number of times it's happened. Dreams don't occur that often and almost be identical not to have some meaning behind it, but I have to let it go and pay attention to the road.
The drive was agonizingly long, to say the least. I parked in my usual spot, right next to Mr. Duncan's navy blue '03 Ford F-150. I sat there for 5 minutes thinking of my plans for the class today, making sure I had everything in mind what I wanted to get done today, and then I got out and headed to the doors and into my classroom.
My classroom, number 115, is located down by the principal's office and kind of away from any other classroom. The powers told me I could do anything I wanted to the room as long as the students would be able to learn without being distracted; totally understood and decorated it to my taste. I do believe the parents enjoy my room more than the rest because of the array of items and pictures I have: a picture of the Blarney Stone in Ireland, a postcard of the Mourne Mountains, a picture of St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin, among various other items and pictures. The students love to hear stories about the folklore of Ireland and so I always sit down with them and tell a tale of a leprechaun or fairy. They're always asking questions about Ireland and I smile and yearn to be back in that magical place. It's my home away from home.
I walk to my room and put my things on my desk and make sure I have our agenda written on the board otherwise the kids would be asking me what we are going to do next. After that's done, I head to the office to check my mailbox and chat with a few of the other staff members that are there.
The students were arriving as I was getting the materials out for the day. A few stopped to say good morning before putting their things away. As soon as it was 8:00 a.m., I took attendance and told them to get their writing journals out. I always have them start the day by writing a few sentences about anything they want and then share it with the class. A few of them are well written while others still need work but that's why I am a teacher, to help improve the children's educational skills. After that, I told them to put their journals away and get a notebook out so we could learn the English language. Today I taught them pronouns and most of them got the hang of it. After a quick homework assignment, we went on to spelling. I had them write down the words and look up the definition and write it in a sentence. That took a bit of time but then it was almost recess time. I asked them if they wanted snack time before or after recess and majority said after so then we played a quick game of hangman with spelling words.
Recess came and went and so did snacktime so then it was back to work. Science and social studies passed by in a breeze and soon it was lunch. Lunch. The dreadful time when I have time alone to eat and think about things. Today was not a good day to do that but thankfully I had the morning newspaper to read. It didn't contain anything super important about the local, state, or national news besides the usual negative views on the healthcare, education development, natural disasters around the world; nothing about someone local doing a good deed and being recognized. Sometimes I question about my career of choice. I ate slowly and barely paid any attention to the news; I was too preoccupied on my dream from the night before. Was there some clue I was missing? Something so vital it had to make itself known through my dreams? Whatever the case may be, it'll show its true meaning sooner or later.
Lunch was finally over and so kids were ready to learn, well not completely since they were so rowdy but ready enough that we could learn some math. Today I taught them how to add double digits. We spent a lot longer on that than I had thought but after about a dozen or so examples, they finally caught on and were able to do their homework in record time. After all the papers were turned in, I told them it was time to read, which would lead us up to the final bell. I asked which story they would like me to read and in the few moments that all were talking at once, I heard a number of times to have me tell them of another Irish story. I quieted them down before I began to tell the story.
A Legend of Knockmany (http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/st-patricks-day/short-stories/a-legend-of-knockmany.html)
I was halfway done with the story when I noticed the children only had a few minutes left of the day. I told them it was time to pack up and that I would read the rest of the story the next day; the kids all whimpered because they wanted me to finish.
The bell rang and I took a sigh of relief. I took and cleaned the room and went to the office to retrieve any notices in my mailbox before I climbed in the car to drive home. It wasn't until I was halfway home that I thought about the dream.
I woke with a start. For the third time I've had that same dream. The same one where I'm wrapped comfortably in his warm embrace and in the same instant, locking lips that taste like raspberries. You'd think I'd get used to it by the third time but each time, something minisculed is different and each time it adds to the intensity. The strangest part is that it's the same guy but he, too, is somehow different.
It was no use staying in bed; I had to get up and go to work. If it wasn't for those kids, I would stay in bed and dwell on that dream, try to seek its meaning. But I promised myself I'd get up and go to work for the safety and well-being of those kids and that means getting out of bed, walking the few steps to the chilly bathroom, taking a hot shower, and get dressed in khakis and whatever dressy shirt appealed to me. After dressing, I headed downstairs to the kitchen to fix myself some breakfast. This morning I didn't feel like cooking eggs, bacon, and toast so I fixed me a bowl of cereal. Not the healthiest of breakfasts or as filling but it'd satisfy my hunger.
After I ate breakfast and put the dishes in the sink, I grabbed my things to head to work. Outside the door is my morning newspaper so I picked that up and took it with me to read it at lunchtime. I put all my things on the front seat of my baby blue '57 Chevrolet Bel Air and drove off to a place I didn't want to be at the moment.
Driving has its pros and cons: today's con was having too much time to dwell on the dream I've had three times now. I can't seem to fathom the warmth of the kiss, the man behind the kisses, and the number of times it's happened. Dreams don't occur that often and almost be identical not to have some meaning behind it, but I have to let it go and pay attention to the road.
The drive was agonizingly long, to say the least. I parked in my usual spot, right next to Mr. Duncan's navy blue '03 Ford F-150. I sat there for 5 minutes thinking of my plans for the class today, making sure I had everything in mind what I wanted to get done today, and then I got out and headed to the doors and into my classroom.
My classroom, number 115, is located down by the principal's office and kind of away from any other classroom. The powers told me I could do anything I wanted to the room as long as the students would be able to learn without being distracted; totally understood and decorated it to my taste. I do believe the parents enjoy my room more than the rest because of the array of items and pictures I have: a picture of the Blarney Stone in Ireland, a postcard of the Mourne Mountains, a picture of St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin, among various other items and pictures. The students love to hear stories about the folklore of Ireland and so I always sit down with them and tell a tale of a leprechaun or fairy. They're always asking questions about Ireland and I smile and yearn to be back in that magical place. It's my home away from home.
I walk to my room and put my things on my desk and make sure I have our agenda written on the board otherwise the kids would be asking me what we are going to do next. After that's done, I head to the office to check my mailbox and chat with a few of the other staff members that are there.
The students were arriving as I was getting the materials out for the day. A few stopped to say good morning before putting their things away. As soon as it was 8:00 a.m., I took attendance and told them to get their writing journals out. I always have them start the day by writing a few sentences about anything they want and then share it with the class. A few of them are well written while others still need work but that's why I am a teacher, to help improve the children's educational skills. After that, I told them to put their journals away and get a notebook out so we could learn the English language. Today I taught them pronouns and most of them got the hang of it. After a quick homework assignment, we went on to spelling. I had them write down the words and look up the definition and write it in a sentence. That took a bit of time but then it was almost recess time. I asked them if they wanted snack time before or after recess and majority said after so then we played a quick game of hangman with spelling words.
Recess came and went and so did snacktime so then it was back to work. Science and social studies passed by in a breeze and soon it was lunch. Lunch. The dreadful time when I have time alone to eat and think about things. Today was not a good day to do that but thankfully I had the morning newspaper to read. It didn't contain anything super important about the local, state, or national news besides the usual negative views on the healthcare, education development, natural disasters around the world; nothing about someone local doing a good deed and being recognized. Sometimes I question about my career of choice. I ate slowly and barely paid any attention to the news; I was too preoccupied on my dream from the night before. Was there some clue I was missing? Something so vital it had to make itself known through my dreams? Whatever the case may be, it'll show its true meaning sooner or later.
Lunch was finally over and so kids were ready to learn, well not completely since they were so rowdy but ready enough that we could learn some math. Today I taught them how to add double digits. We spent a lot longer on that than I had thought but after about a dozen or so examples, they finally caught on and were able to do their homework in record time. After all the papers were turned in, I told them it was time to read, which would lead us up to the final bell. I asked which story they would like me to read and in the few moments that all were talking at once, I heard a number of times to have me tell them of another Irish story. I quieted them down before I began to tell the story.
A Legend of Knockmany (http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/st-patricks-day/short-stories/a-legend-of-knockmany.html)
I was halfway done with the story when I noticed the children only had a few minutes left of the day. I told them it was time to pack up and that I would read the rest of the story the next day; the kids all whimpered because they wanted me to finish.
The bell rang and I took a sigh of relief. I took and cleaned the room and went to the office to retrieve any notices in my mailbox before I climbed in the car to drive home. It wasn't until I was halfway home that I thought about the dream.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
The Christmas Pony
“But, Mom! I really want a horse this year for Christmas,” exclaimed Aisling. “You know how long I’ve wanted one and even you said you used to ride horses.”
“That is true. I did tell you that, but that still doesn’t mean I can get you one for Christmas,” said her mother.
For as long as Aisling can remember, she has always wanted a horse from the Emerald Isle. She remembers all the stories her mother has told her about when she was a little girl growing up on a farm in Ireland and how she always wanted a horse but couldn’t afford one. Aisling never told her mother this, but the only reason why she wanted one was to make her mother’s dream come true, as well as her own. She remembers her mother describing the majestic beasts that used to run freely on the grassy plains, how their world seemed so much simpler than hers. For hours, she used to sit and watch them. She never did receive one, even for the amount of times she pleaded with her own parents to get one.
Aisling has been begging her mother for a horse constantly since she knew her mother was due for a trip to the Isle at any time. She knew what she wanted: a Thoroughbred from the Connemara Coast. A fourteen hands -high stallion, chestnut in color that was strong enough to carry two people, her mother and herself.
But getting one would be hard to come by. No matter how much both mother and daughter wanted a horse, there wasn’t any possible way to purchase one. Times were tough and it was even hard to book a flight to Ireland and stay a few days. Aisling’s mother, however, thought that if she couldn’t give her daughter a horse for Christmas, the least she could do was show her Ireland and the majesty of it. She booked a flight for the following day and soon they were off to the Emerald Isle.
The flight from America to Ireland couldn’t seem to end any faster. Once in Ireland, Aisling and her mother rented a car and drove around on the Westside of Ireland to the place where her personal horse was possibly waiting. Her mother had made the plans while Aisling was sleeping. She called an old friend of hers who just happened to own a horse ranch and asked if she could possibly show her daughter his stable; he happily agreed.
The two of them were driving along the coast, scanning the horizon for any sign of wild horses. Aisling’s mother came to a fork in the road and followed that for a few miles until a driveway made itself known. She took the driveway and as she did, Aisling gasped at the view in front of her: a house set on a sizeable piece of land with three stables proportionally located and enough pasture for the horses to graze upon for hours. It was a quaint little setting and Aisling couldn’t help but stare and wonder quietly who owned this wonderful place.
Her mother pulled up to the house and Duff appeared from the door. He smiled and walked down the steps to their car and helped them unload. Aisling was astonished. Nothing came to mind as she stared at the scene in front of her.
Duff laughed his hearty laugh and said, “So this must be Aisling. I see you have taken notice to all the horses I have. Would you care to see them?”
Aisling looked to her mother and nodded her head in agreement. They took their bags into the house and casually strolled to the stables. Duff told Aisling all about them and how they came to Ireland. He even mentioned how he came about his first horse.
They reached the first stable and Aisling couldn’t help but gape at the horses in front of her. She tried to think of something to say but came up blank. She kept staring, memorizing what she saw so as not to forget it when they returned home. Duff patiently waited for a response from Aisling, but seeing she couldn’t respond, just smiled and coaxed her closer to the stalls.
“Come have a look see, lass. This babe was just born three days ago,” Duff stated, hiding a smile.
“Would you like to pet him, Aisling?”
“Oh, yes!” exclaimed Aisling. She pressed her body up against the gate of the stall and stuck her hand out as if it were a puppy, wary of the stranger in front of it. The tiny pony was hesitant, but once it looked into Aisling’s innocent eyes, it pranced over to her to get a closer look.
While Aisling and the colt were getting to know one another, Duff and Aisling’s mother spoke in hushed tones. When they weren’t, they were grinning at the sight of the newborn horse and the ecstatic girl.
Duff walked over to the girl and horse, with the girl’s mother by his side. He patted the colt’s head and spoke to Aisling.
“Lass, so I hear you want a horse for Christmas, is that right?” Aisling nodded, not knowing where he was headed. “Well, I know times are hard and according to your mother, you really, really want a horse so I made her a deal.”
Aisling broke in, wary. “What did Mom promise you?” She didn’t want to carry a burden for this selfish wish even if it did satisfy her mother’s own wish.
Duff laughed. “She promised me that if you ever needed help, money for feed, equipment, lessons, so on, she would call me. Oh, don’t cry!” Aisling began to weep, not because she got her horse, but because her mom went out of the way to give her what she wanted. Aisling didn’t deserve this, her mother did.
“Duff. I’m sorry, but I can’t take this beautiful colt. No matter how much I want one, I don’t truly deserve it. Mom has been talking about her childhood lately and it breaks my heart to know that she never got one. She does too much to not deserve this pretty fella.” She patted the colt on the head and talked to him. “Mom deserves you much more than I do but I’ve wanted one like you for so long. You are the perfect color, you’re from Ireland, and most of all I would love you, not that Mom wouldn’t. What do you say? Would you like to go to America?” The colt nudged Aisling in agreement. “That settles it. Mom, this is your horse more than mine but I will help you since he is the ideal one. Duff, I guess I have to thank you. Not only for making my wish come true, but for Mom’s as well. I’ll be...”
Duff cut her off mid-sentence. “Aisling. There is no need to thank me. It was your mother’s idea to bring you over and take this colt home. It has been yours since yesterday. She has been dying to tell you but knew it would ruin the surprise. I mean, you are surprised, right?”
“Of course, I’m surprised. I know Mom can’t afford it but I guess with the deal you made with her, I have to accept what is given.” She ran to her mom and gave her the biggest hug she had ever given. With tears streaming down her face, she thanked her mom over and over. She finally got her pony she always dreamed of.
Once Aisling’s eyes were dry of tears, her mother looked down at her and asked, “So what are you going to name it, sweetie?”
Aisling had thought about names for her perfect pony a million times but considering he was from Ireland, he should have an Irish name. “I’m going to name him Derry, ya know, like the city. It just fits with his origins and I hope you’re okay with that. I had other names but I think this one will fit him better than all the rest.”
“Of course, it’s okay. I couldn’t have picked a better name myself.”
The flight home couldn’t have taken any longer. Aisling wanted her pony to be on her land, to see him roam. She wanted to see her mother’s face light up at the new creature amongst them. She just wanted to be glad that both her and her mother’s wishes came true. If it wasn’t for Duff, this wouldn’t have happened and for that, Aisling was grateful to him.
*Thank you to Arlene for helping me decide which type of pony this young lady got. Without her poem about the Connemara Pony, this wouldn't have been possible.*
“That is true. I did tell you that, but that still doesn’t mean I can get you one for Christmas,” said her mother.
For as long as Aisling can remember, she has always wanted a horse from the Emerald Isle. She remembers all the stories her mother has told her about when she was a little girl growing up on a farm in Ireland and how she always wanted a horse but couldn’t afford one. Aisling never told her mother this, but the only reason why she wanted one was to make her mother’s dream come true, as well as her own. She remembers her mother describing the majestic beasts that used to run freely on the grassy plains, how their world seemed so much simpler than hers. For hours, she used to sit and watch them. She never did receive one, even for the amount of times she pleaded with her own parents to get one.
Aisling has been begging her mother for a horse constantly since she knew her mother was due for a trip to the Isle at any time. She knew what she wanted: a Thoroughbred from the Connemara Coast. A fourteen hands -high stallion, chestnut in color that was strong enough to carry two people, her mother and herself.
But getting one would be hard to come by. No matter how much both mother and daughter wanted a horse, there wasn’t any possible way to purchase one. Times were tough and it was even hard to book a flight to Ireland and stay a few days. Aisling’s mother, however, thought that if she couldn’t give her daughter a horse for Christmas, the least she could do was show her Ireland and the majesty of it. She booked a flight for the following day and soon they were off to the Emerald Isle.
The flight from America to Ireland couldn’t seem to end any faster. Once in Ireland, Aisling and her mother rented a car and drove around on the Westside of Ireland to the place where her personal horse was possibly waiting. Her mother had made the plans while Aisling was sleeping. She called an old friend of hers who just happened to own a horse ranch and asked if she could possibly show her daughter his stable; he happily agreed.
The two of them were driving along the coast, scanning the horizon for any sign of wild horses. Aisling’s mother came to a fork in the road and followed that for a few miles until a driveway made itself known. She took the driveway and as she did, Aisling gasped at the view in front of her: a house set on a sizeable piece of land with three stables proportionally located and enough pasture for the horses to graze upon for hours. It was a quaint little setting and Aisling couldn’t help but stare and wonder quietly who owned this wonderful place.
Her mother pulled up to the house and Duff appeared from the door. He smiled and walked down the steps to their car and helped them unload. Aisling was astonished. Nothing came to mind as she stared at the scene in front of her.
Duff laughed his hearty laugh and said, “So this must be Aisling. I see you have taken notice to all the horses I have. Would you care to see them?”
Aisling looked to her mother and nodded her head in agreement. They took their bags into the house and casually strolled to the stables. Duff told Aisling all about them and how they came to Ireland. He even mentioned how he came about his first horse.
They reached the first stable and Aisling couldn’t help but gape at the horses in front of her. She tried to think of something to say but came up blank. She kept staring, memorizing what she saw so as not to forget it when they returned home. Duff patiently waited for a response from Aisling, but seeing she couldn’t respond, just smiled and coaxed her closer to the stalls.
“Come have a look see, lass. This babe was just born three days ago,” Duff stated, hiding a smile.
“Would you like to pet him, Aisling?”
“Oh, yes!” exclaimed Aisling. She pressed her body up against the gate of the stall and stuck her hand out as if it were a puppy, wary of the stranger in front of it. The tiny pony was hesitant, but once it looked into Aisling’s innocent eyes, it pranced over to her to get a closer look.
While Aisling and the colt were getting to know one another, Duff and Aisling’s mother spoke in hushed tones. When they weren’t, they were grinning at the sight of the newborn horse and the ecstatic girl.
Duff walked over to the girl and horse, with the girl’s mother by his side. He patted the colt’s head and spoke to Aisling.
“Lass, so I hear you want a horse for Christmas, is that right?” Aisling nodded, not knowing where he was headed. “Well, I know times are hard and according to your mother, you really, really want a horse so I made her a deal.”
Aisling broke in, wary. “What did Mom promise you?” She didn’t want to carry a burden for this selfish wish even if it did satisfy her mother’s own wish.
Duff laughed. “She promised me that if you ever needed help, money for feed, equipment, lessons, so on, she would call me. Oh, don’t cry!” Aisling began to weep, not because she got her horse, but because her mom went out of the way to give her what she wanted. Aisling didn’t deserve this, her mother did.
“Duff. I’m sorry, but I can’t take this beautiful colt. No matter how much I want one, I don’t truly deserve it. Mom has been talking about her childhood lately and it breaks my heart to know that she never got one. She does too much to not deserve this pretty fella.” She patted the colt on the head and talked to him. “Mom deserves you much more than I do but I’ve wanted one like you for so long. You are the perfect color, you’re from Ireland, and most of all I would love you, not that Mom wouldn’t. What do you say? Would you like to go to America?” The colt nudged Aisling in agreement. “That settles it. Mom, this is your horse more than mine but I will help you since he is the ideal one. Duff, I guess I have to thank you. Not only for making my wish come true, but for Mom’s as well. I’ll be...”
Duff cut her off mid-sentence. “Aisling. There is no need to thank me. It was your mother’s idea to bring you over and take this colt home. It has been yours since yesterday. She has been dying to tell you but knew it would ruin the surprise. I mean, you are surprised, right?”
“Of course, I’m surprised. I know Mom can’t afford it but I guess with the deal you made with her, I have to accept what is given.” She ran to her mom and gave her the biggest hug she had ever given. With tears streaming down her face, she thanked her mom over and over. She finally got her pony she always dreamed of.
Once Aisling’s eyes were dry of tears, her mother looked down at her and asked, “So what are you going to name it, sweetie?”
Aisling had thought about names for her perfect pony a million times but considering he was from Ireland, he should have an Irish name. “I’m going to name him Derry, ya know, like the city. It just fits with his origins and I hope you’re okay with that. I had other names but I think this one will fit him better than all the rest.”
“Of course, it’s okay. I couldn’t have picked a better name myself.”
The flight home couldn’t have taken any longer. Aisling wanted her pony to be on her land, to see him roam. She wanted to see her mother’s face light up at the new creature amongst them. She just wanted to be glad that both her and her mother’s wishes came true. If it wasn’t for Duff, this wouldn’t have happened and for that, Aisling was grateful to him.
*Thank you to Arlene for helping me decide which type of pony this young lady got. Without her poem about the Connemara Pony, this wouldn't have been possible.*
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