Childhood Memories

Driving in the country side, with the windows down, and allowing the fresh air to pile into the vehicle. Birds flying in the air, and the trees rushing past. The trees opening up to reveal the open pastures and cattle munching on grass. Horses running the fields and nibbling at each others necks. The familiar scene brings a smile to the woman's face as her sister comments about the horses.

“Aren't they the Dunslay's horses?” She had asked.

“Yes, we should be about five minutes away from the farmstead.” The woman answers.

The sister chuckles, nodding her head.

A few moments later, a gravel road came to their right. As they pulled in, the tall red, rustic barn calls to their attention. Getting out of the vehicle, they stare at the structure, wondering how it was still standing after all the years that have gone by. Wanting to go up to it, they hear a call.

“Eve, Arya, there you two are, we were wondering when you would make it here.” A middle-age woman called out. With her husband standing by here, with a grin on his face.

“Hello Aunt Petunia, hello Uncle Sherman.” Arya smiles as she looks at her sister. Eve smiles and gives a gentle wave.

“Staring at the barn again, aren't we?” Petunia chuckles as she hugs the sisters.

They nod and return the hug. Looking at their uncle, he walks up and wraps his arms into the group hug. Everyone laughs as the barn makes a light creaking noise.

“So, how is it that the barn has stayed around for so long? We would've thought it would be gone by now.” Eve comments, with a finger on her chin.

Sherman chuckles as he looks up at the barn. “Well, we always keep an eye on it and make sure if any repairs are needed, we get it taken care of. Though we tend to use it mainly for our get together moments with our neighbors.” He grins mischievously. “I don't suppose you remember a few years back when the Dunslay boys were here?”

Eve blushes and Arya chuckles.

“Ah that brings back memories. Especially when Eric jumped out the window into the hay below, claiming to be an Assassin.” Arya laughs.

Ten years ago, Arya, Eve, Eric, and Eric's two brothers, Steve and Andrew, were playing in the barn. As the adults were having their get together. Arya and Eve were throwing straw at each other, while Eric was boasting about how he was a great assassin. Him doing poses and acting like a goof, balancing on the beams and jumping between them. The girls called for him to come back down. Just for him to run towards the window and jumps out, doing a swan dive and slowing turning onto his back. Fortunately, there was enough hay below, but he still had to rushed to the hospital, due to a broken hip and a fractured shoulder.

The party dispersed after the police were done with their investigation to determine if there was any foul play. Then the group of kids turned to each other, shocked.

“You know sis, that wasn't a pleasant memory to bring up.” Eve said, with a raised eyebrow.

“Well, it's not like he died. Plus he became famous around these parts and brought his daredevil career off.” She said with a weak smile.

Eve shakes her head and sighs. Putting her hand against the door. “Do you remember when Andrew decided he was going to join the rodeo?” Eve asked.

Five years ago, the sisters and the Dunslay's brothers were sitting in the barn. Eric showing off his scars from his newest adventures. Steve drawing up the space they were sitting in, Arya watching over his shoulder. Eve talking with Andrew, as the barn cats were wrapping themselves between them.

“Say Andy, how are the horses doing? Are any of them ready to be ridden?” Eve asks.

“Well, that depends on the riding. A few might be good for trail riding, but the others are definitely high strong and need something a bit more.” He says with a mischievous smile.

Eve looked at him confused, Andrew lightly poked her nose and chuckled. Taking out a pamphlet out of his pocket and shows it to her. On it was an advertisement for the rodeo in town that travels around the country. Whether it's bronco riding, barrel racing, cattle wrangling, and a few other events, there was something for everyone. He pointed down to the barrel racing and cattle wrangling.

“Been training for both of them, but so far the horses tend to prefer the barrel racing. Anything with cattle, they tend to be a bit skittish. So I might have to do that on my own.” Andrew smiled tenderly speaking of his dream.

“Hey, what are you two talking about so cutely?” Eric yelled out with a huge grin on his face.

Giving Eric the bird, Andrew stood up with a grin on his face, “well, if you must know Eric, I'm planning on joining the rodeo.”

Arya and Steve look up at Andrew, giving him a thumbs up. Then went back to the drawing. Eric smile grew bigger and ran up to his brother, giving him a huge hug.

“Following my footsteps little bro.” Eric claims as Andrew pushes him off.

“Eric was always the excited one.” Arya jokes, and Eve nods her head.

“Well if you two are done on your memory lane, are you two ready to head inside?” Aunt Petunia asks.

Both of the girls nod their heads as they head into the barn. Just to hear claps as the three brothers pop their heads from the straw. Huge grins on Andrew's and Eric's faces, while Steve had a mild grin on his face. A banner above stating 'Congratulations'.

“So how was college for you two? All done and ready to move on?” Eric holds tightly onto the sisters, and laughs loudly.

The girls laugh and Arya gives him a light kick on his shin. Wagging her finger at him. “Ya know, you can't just go up to a girl and give her a hugs without asking.” She winks as Eric gives a fake hurt look.

Steve goes up to the girls and lightly pats their heads. Giving them each a drawing book, and a side wink. Then walks over to a man at the side of the barn, and holds onto his hand, affectionately. Arya pouts slightly, but feels happy for them.

“So, are you two ready to have a fun night tonight?” Andrew asks, crossing his arms in front of his chest, grinning at the two girls.

Both of them nod their heads as more friends and neighbors come up to them. Congratulating them and asking them about college. How the have grown and wanting to know what their plans are to be next once everything is said and done.

A cover band begins to play, looking over, it's seen that Steve and his partner are the lead singer and guitarist. As a childhood friend plays the drums.

Long into the night, people joke around and sing with the songs. The friends reminisce of their past 25 years together. The highs and the lows, and what the experiences in this barn that brought them into being who they have become.