Where Hearts Run Wild Page 9

  Henry moved up to Rebel, and he too was taken aback, stunned. Rebel stood calm and cool.

  “Mary Lou, go call the doc, and make it fast!”

  Mary Lou took one last gasping look of concern at Bobby, then turned and ran back into the cafe.

  Henry reached up and gingerly slid Bobby off Rebel’s back. He then cradled the boy in his arms and walked toward the rear of the cafe where he and Mary Lou’s living quarters were. Henry stopped suddenly and turned back to Rebel with a curious glance.

  “You’re Rebel, aren’t ya?” said Henry. “You’re the best, old boy. The best!”

  Rebel gave a low, gentle neigh as though he appreciated and understood the compliment. And who knows, maybe he did. He then turned and ran off into the open plains that surrounded the cafe.

  Henry grinned and shook his head with wonder. He then walked quickly toward the rear of the cafe building.

  * * * *

  Although Mary Lou lived in the country and out of the battering urban flood of commercial and trendy entertainment, her room was somewhat that of a typical teenager.

  Her room was not cluttered with wild posters of the latest rock and rap stars, yet there were a few posters of favorite actors and singers of a milder version.

  Bobby was lying on Mary Lou’s bed, sleeping. He had a bandage on his forehead and traces of bruises here and there. The bandage was the work of a professional, giving evidence the local doctor had paid a visit. Bobby had been cleaned up and was wearing one of Henry’s shirts. The covers were pulled up to his waist. He was sleeping peacefully, Bobby’s young and tender face reflected a certain sadness and the soul of one who is alone in the world with seemingly nowhere to turn, and no one to turn to. Perhaps sleep was the only refuge in his troubled life.

  And so, one could only hope his dreams were happier than his reality.

  The door opened slowly and revealed Mary Lou as she entered quietly into the room. She stepped up to Bobby’s side. Her eyes reflecting her concern for Bobby, laced with a touch of fondness that became more evident as she smiled looking down at the fallen boy. Mary Lou was attracted to Bobby despite his being a rough-and-tumble kid from the city with limited options in life, and on the surface not much to offer a young lady when it came to a relationship. But something told her to overlook his situation and learn what he was really all about.

  Sensing the presence of someone in the room, Bobby woke up. Not sure where he was he looked about the room in a daze of confusion. He rubbed his eyes, then focused on Mary Lou.

  “You’re Mary Lou! Where am I?”

  “In my bedroom.”

  “What?” exclaimed Bobby.

  Bobby glanced around the room then noticed the oversized shirt he was wearing.

  “What’s goin’ on?” said Bobby.

  “Well,” said Mary Lou. “A horse, a wild one, I think his name is Rebel, saved your life. Pretty magical him bringing you in and all. You were pretty messed-up. My dad and our doctor took care of you and dressed you. Sorry about the shirt, but my dad’s a pretty big guy.”

  “Things are already changing,” Bobby said under his breath. A tiny smile crossed his lips.

  “What?” said Mary Lou.

  “Nothin’,” Bobby muttered.

  Silence fell over the room for a moment as the two exchanged a look that communicated something special was taking place between them.

  “I got your letter,” said Mary Lou.

  “Huh? I didn’t mail—I mean, I don’t know what you’re talking about?”

  “Dear is spelled D-E-A-R,” Mary Lou said with a smile. “Not D-E-E-R. That’s an animal who lives in the forest. Dear, D-E-A-R is someone you like, or—”

  An embarrassed Bobby was quick to step in before things went too far. “I know. I was just in a hurry.”

  “I thought you didn’t know what I was talking about?” Mary Lou said, amused by Bobby’s flustering.

  Bobby looked around the room, avoiding Mary Lou’s eyes and her question, hoping to find an answer. But he could not.

  “No worries,” said Mary Lou. “Maybe when you bumped your head, or whatever happened to you, it made you forget. Besides, my dad can’t read or write very well, and he’s the nicest person in the world, and that’s all that really matters.”

  Bobby gazed into Mary Lou’s eyes and at her pretty face, and he was sure she was the most beautiful person he had ever known in every way.

  “Is he the guy who makes those famous chocolate shakes,” Bobby said in a soft voice.

  Mary Lou smiled. “Yep, and don’t worry, we’re gonna feed you. Bobby, did you escape?”

  “Escape?” Bobby said as he looked away from Mary Lou. “No! They just let me go—for good behavior.”

  “That’s not true,” Mary Lou said with certainty.

  Bobby did not have a comeback for this and Mary Lou was too nice of a person, and not to mention strong, for him to continue lying to her. Besides, he respected her. The scrambling was over, and he knew it. And the old Bobby he knew just had to fade away or else there would be more trouble.

  “Maybe I better get my clothes and get goin’,” Bobby stated, sounding a tad phony. “Everything will be fine. You’ll see.”

  “No it won’t, Bobby,” said Mary Lou. “Even a simple country girl can figure that out.”

  “You got that right, young lady!” Armos said with a thundering voice as he stepped into the doorway of Mary Lou’s room.

  Bobby sat up in bed alarmed by the intrusion of Armos and his powerful voice which reflected disdain.

  Armos walked into the room and moved to Bobby’s bedside. “The doc says you can travel, Davy Crocket. And you know where you’re goin’!”

  Mary Lou gave Armos a pleading expression. “Can’t he stay? At least for some lunch?”

  Armos expelled a breath, shaking his head as he peered at Bobby and Mary Lou, recognizing the young hearts were in a flurry of emotion. Bobby and Mary Lou stared at Armos with puppy dog eyes as he was seemingly now the judge and jury of their fate.

  “All right,” said Armos. “Lunch, then we have to get goin’.”

  Mary Lou broke into a smile as she glanced at Bobby. She knew she wasn’t going to have him for a long span of time, but a little time was better than no time at all.

  Bobby relaxed a bit, despite the trouble he was in. He was not too sure about real relationships. But his heart told him one thing for sure. Mary Lou and Armos cared about him. And it felt good, if only for a moment. Super good.

  * * * *

  The Highway 115 two-lane, blacktop road accommodated Armos’ white correctional van as it cruised along heading back to the wild horse compound. Bobby was in the passenger side dressed in his own clean clothes. Traces of some stitching on his clothes could be seen here and there, no doubt needled by the caring hands of Mary Lou. Bobby looked straight ahead and down the highway with apprehension. Armos concentrated on the road with a rather stern expression. Secretly he was not too upset at Bobby, and if the truth be known, he was glad to have the boy back safely. But, Armos had to play his role as an authority figure knowing it was the best medicine for Bobby.

  “I wish you wouldn’t have done it,” Bobby said, breaking the silence between the two.

  “Why not?” said Armos with confidence.

  “Well, it makes me feel sort of funny, dumb even.”

  Armos contemplated Bobby’s words for a moment. “Look, I thought maybe it would do you good to have a friend on the outside. And the letter didn’t say anything wrong. By the way, you do need some schoolin’.” Armos felt he made his point well.

  “Was Davy Crockett like Dirty Harry?”

  Armos could not help but chuckle at the question. “Sort of. Davy tamed the country, and Harry tamed the city. At least they tried to.” Armos gave Bobby a puzzled look. “You sure are actin’ awful mellow for a man who could be in big trouble. What happened out there last night anyway, you hit your head on a rock or so
methin’? And why all the scratches—some look sorta bad.”

  Bobby looked ahead peacefully. “I’m okay, I met a friend. And you’re right, it’s good to have one.”

  “A friend? Anybody I might know?” Armos said, knowing the answer to his question.

  “I’m sure you do,” Bobby said with confidence.

  “I’m pretty sure you’re right,” Armos said with a warm smile. And he was right about Bobby all along as being one that was a tad special and could be rescued from a pack of the loose and reckless youths.

  “It’s an experience some of us, bad boys have—if we’re lucky,” said Armos. “We find ourselves in a scary place, all alone and it looks like the end. Then, somehow our heart tells us to turn things around and tells us the bad things we know and do need to take a hike, we’re tired of the bull and we’ve had enough. It can come as a dream or in a real-life situation—it don’t really matter. Is that sort of what we’re talkin’ about here?”

  “Yes,” Bobby said calmly. “But I still feel embarrassed a little about the letter.”

  “Are you embarrassed because you’ve got feelings?” said Armos. “You’re a boy, and she’s a girl! It’s simple stuff here and nothin’ to be embarrassed about. I don’t want to push things in any one direction or another here, but if you ask me, you ought to feel happy about it instead of embarrassed.”

  Bobby grinned, comforted by Armos’ words. Then, with a more serious voice, “Are you guys gonna hang me for runnin’ away? You know I’m really sorry for all the dumb things I ever did. And I wouldn’t blame you if you did hang me.”

  “Hang you?” Armos said, a tad amused. “No, but I was thinkin’ about tying you to a stake, put some honey on you and lettin’ the ants chew you up.”

  “C’mon, Armos, what’s gonna happen to me?”

  “Well, because of the circumstances, J. R. and the fork under your saddle, everyone can understand your humiliation.”

  “Fork under my saddle!” Bobby said, surprised. “Is that what happened to Rebel when I was riding him?”

  “’Fraid so.”

  “I’ll get him for this!” Bobby burst out angrily.

  “Oh, no you won’t!” said Armos. “Don’t even think about it. You let us handle J. R.—hear me? Revenge ain’t your game no more. Not if you learned anything and you really meant what you said. And tanglin’ with the likes of J. R. will only make matters worse.”

  Bobby pondered Armos’ words a moment. “Yeah. Guess you’re right.”

  “You can guess I’m right, but I know I’m right,” Armos said with conviction. “I’ve been here before, remember. Now case closed. And as far as what’s gonna happen to you for scamperin’ off in the night, we’re going to let this one ride off into the sunset, so to speak. But if it happens again, your goose is cooked!”

  Bobby looked at Armos with great relief. “Thanks, Armos.”

  “You’re welcome, son. Whoops, I forgot, you’re nobody’s son, are you?”

  Bobby smiled. “It’s okay, don’t worry. I’ll let that ride off into the sunset, so to speak.”

  Bobby and Armos shared a smile of appreciation for one another. And even though a lot of things were wrong, somehow everything felt right for the first time in memory for Bobby Shortino. And again, and by choice, the tough guy from the big city streets was fading away.

  Chapter 14

  The compound was quiet with no one moving about as Armos wheeled the white van into the driveway, coming to a halt. He and Bobby glanced around, sensing something was not right. There was always some activity. Ranch hands working on the equipment or with the horses—something.

  One older mare walked slowly out from behind a building and came to a stop. The horse looked at Armos and Bobby who remained in the van. They stared ahead with genuine concern.

  “Somethin’ ain’t right here,” said Armos.

  “Yeah,” said Bobby. “The birds aren’t even singin’.”

  “It’s training time too,” Armos commented.

  * * * *

  Sam and Nina sat at the table in the administration office. Armos was pacing about in total consternation. Everyone’s mood was bleak at best with disappointment, reflecting frustration of which they had never felt before.

  “One old mare, probably too tired to run away, is all we have left,” said Sam.

  “How did it happen?” Armos exclaimed.

  “We’re not sure if somebody left the corral gate open or what,” said Nina.

  “Doesn’t really matter now,” Sam said as he stood and moved to a window and stared out. “We’ve got no horses to sell to the ranchers and no time to do anything about it.”

  Armos stopped pacing and turned to Sam. “J. R.! I’ll bet my supper on it! And yours too!”

  Sam faced Armos. “Armos, I understand how you would think that. But we can’t prove it.”

  “But you’re thinkin’ the same thing!” said Armos. “He’s the only one who made threats! Said he would rather choke in the city than breathe out here!”

  “Sam’s right, Armos,” said Nina. “It doesn’t matter if Lysaker did it or not. And like Sam said, we have no proof one way or the other!”

  “Yeah, I know!” Armos said angrily. “And of course he’s got his rights! You know, we’re so worried about our rights these days, we’re startin’ to do everything wrong!” Armos moved to the table and sat, pounding his fist against its top.

  “The Denver Police are picking up the boys,” said Nina. “They’re taking them to juvenile hall to serve out the rest of the time.”

  Sam crossed to Armos and rested his hand on Armos’ shoulder. “Armos, we’ve been operating at a loss for months. You knew that one little push, and we could fall. The county, the state, they don’t have the funds to continue subsidizing us without horses to sell. Like you always say, people are ready to throw the towel in on these kids. Yes, I know, and we’ve got some bad apples in the basket, a lot of people doubt rehabilitation even works.”

  “So we just punish the hell out of them!” Armos blurted out. “Is that it?”

  “You know that isn’t what I’m about,” said Sam.

  “I know,” Armos said, letting out a ragged breath. “I’m sorry, Sam. I’m just burnin’ up inside.”

  Nina and Sam exchanged a heartfelt look, their affection for Armos was as plain as blue skies.

  “Armos, we thought you should tell Bobby,” said Nina.

  Armos looked at Sam, then Nina. His mind was whirling as he searched for a resolve.

  * * * *

  Armos walked across the compound grounds, still churning with frustration and anger over the bleak situation that was confronting the ranch. He approached Bobby’s bunkhouse only to come to an abrupt halt, face to face with J. R. who was exiting the bungalow.

  “What are you doin’ here?” Armos demanded.

  J. R. smirked at Armos in his usual cocky manner. “I came here to tell Shortino he could hang up his spurs.”

  “I told you to stay away from him!”

  “Armos, you’re not in charge of anything anymore. And besides, he took off again.”

  Armos was stunned. “What are you talkin’ about?”

  J. R. chuckled. “Man, you think he walks on water, don’t you? Well, he’s gone! He’s outta here. Now if you don’t mind, get out of my way, or I’ll report you for unjustly harassing a juvenile inmate, and that could get you fired.”

  Armos quickly recovered from J. R.’s announcement of Bobby’s departure. His anger took over and was peaking.

  “Pretty fancy words for a punk who let the horses go and ruined it for everyone else!”

  J. R.’s face tightened quickly with worry, knowing Armos had his number. But he had to keep playing the game. “Lighten up, Armos. Hey, maybe Rebel did it. I mean, he’s the smartest horse in the west, isn’t he?”

  With that, Armos grabbed J. R. by the shoulders with a firm grip and pulled him close. J. R. was visibly
shaken by the move. “I’m going to give you a little advice! You better stop thinking you’re such a macho man because one of these days you’re gonna walk into a dark alley and wind up face to face with yourself! If you’re lucky, you’ll open your eyes and see that trying to win every cheap little battle you fight doesn’t accomplish one damn thing anyone will ever remember! And you're never gonna win the war you’re having with yourself! If you’re not lucky and you play it stupid like you’re doin’ right now, you’re gonna wind up to your neck in quicksand.”

  J. R. squirmed to free himself from Armos’ iron grip. “I’m pressin’ charges!”

  Armos released J. R. and pushed him away. “Good! That way we can stay in touch. Now, go back to your bunkhouse and pack your stuff.”

  J. R. scurried away, shaken over the incident. And even though he didn’t have the capacity to understand everything that Armos said, he was definitely affected by the bruising words of truth.

  * * * *

  The sun beat down on the weed-covered and desolate prairie land. Bobby approached a lone tree as he rode the aging mare that was left behind at the compound when the other horses fled to the wide-open spaces. The horse walked at a snail’s pace as it moved under the shade of the tree. Bobby strained his eyes and looked about in all directions in hopes of seeing the runaway horses. But there was nothing in sight—man nor beast. Bobby reached into his backpack he had attached to the saddle horn and withdrew Armos’ Army canteen. He uncapped it and took a drink. He then climbed down from the mare’s back and removed a cup from the backpack and filled it with water. He crossed to the front of the horse and held the cup out in front of the animal’s face. The horse drank thirstily until the water was gone.

  “That-a girl. At the rate you drink, we’re going to have to find a creek or we’re gonna run out.” Bobby smiled at the mare who snorted back as if to understand—and who knew for sure.

  Bobby climbed back into the saddle and placed the canteen and water cup back into his sack. He took up the reins gave them a pull and the two moved on, continuing the search.