It's All Or Nothin'
It's All Or Nothin' © Chey
Kid’s eyes twinkled after reading Mana’s poem. Her handwriting was
beautiful. He glanced once more at her written words, then gently folded the
paper, lifted his pant-leg, and slid the note into his boot, a safe place for
anything. He then walked back down the hotel stairs, receiving many suspicious
looks from the people around him. One man even let out a snicker at the young
uneducated boy. Kid’s pant leg was still up, cheeks were flushed, and he
carried a smile from ear to ear.
He walked briskly over to the livery, where he found Mana anxiously awaiting.
She wore a casual, yet elegant dress that attached near the legs, to appear like pants. The riding dress was dark blue, with white roses delicately embroidered on the fabric. Her hair was down and wavy. Kid froze when he saw her, and took a moment to collect his thoughts.
At the same time, Mana was evaluating the situation. Is this really happening? I’m sitting here, looking at this man in front of me, that I only met yesterday, and seeing my entire future. His eyes remind me of home; his courage, of my father; his soul, maybe something my mother had that she could not share with me before her passing. “Come closer Kid,” she thought to herself. At that moment, Kid’s mind cleared, and he came just inches away from her. He reached out his hands, as did she, and they stood, captured in each other’s thoughts, embracing each other’s warmth.
“I loved it,” Kid said softly, and it was the perfect thing to say.
“You should, you wrote it,” Mana commented.
Kid was confused by this remark, “I wrote it?”
“Yes, you spoke to me last night…you inspired me. I could hear your voice in my heart as I wrote what you were saying,” she explained. This made the Kid smile, and they could both tell that it was time.
“Shall we go?” he asked.
“Yes, on to discover a whole new-world.”
Kid escorted Mana to her horse, a beautiful Dun Mare named Lucky. The petite horse was a light-brown color and the perfect size for Mana. With a long tail, but short mane, the horse’s eyes blended in with its facial coloring, and blackened nose. Kid went to help her atop the horse, but before he could, she jumped up and gave him a charming wink. Kid then mounted Katy and the two walked out of the stables, and headed west, out of town.
“Where are we headed,” Mana asked curiously.
“Does it matter?” Kid responded.
“I guess not,” she replied and they both giggled.
Lou made it to Blue Creek an hour after lunch and decided to immediately go back to Sweetwater to share her thoughts with the Kid. He must be willing to listen, and maybe they can even work on their relationship. She wanted Kid to know that her feelings were more powerful than ever. Besides, what did she have to lose?
Mana and Kid made it about two miles west of town, when they decided that it was time for lunch. Mana brought out a fantastic picnic lunch that she had prepared. Apples, sandwiches, and biscuits; although it sounded simple, simple was perfect. They were finished in no time, and put the picnic supplies away. Then Kid leaned up against their shading tree, and invited Mana into his arms. He held her so gently, exactly what she needed. He rubbed her arm and breathed in her smell, memorizing the vanilla.
After about five minutes, Mana broke the silence. “What are you thinking, Kid?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Just how perfect things are right now. How I’m spending time with you, a woman I only met yesterday, and how there is no place I’d rather be.
“That’s funny,” Mana giggled.
“Why’s that?”
“I was thinking the same thing.” They both shared a little laugh, and then Kid kissed her on the head. They fell asleep in each other’s arms.
