Imagined Friendship

Pauline and Marigold ran together to the magical place where they could return to their imagined world of fantastical horses. This was their haven – their space together where the power of youthful dreams dictated reality.

This was to be their last weekend of the summer before entering Middle School next week. They were both elated and anxious, as it meant being bused out of town, entering a new and bigger school where there would many more kids, and many who they didn’t know. At least they would be together in entering their sixth grade adventure!

So they were more exited than usual to spend this weekend together at Pauline’s house where they could rush down to the old barn and lose themselves in their own equine world.

As they crossed the threshold of the yard, through the door, the old dairy barn transformed into the magical stable of their dreams with glorious horses occupying every fantastical stall. The girls were greeted with soft nickers, and they each approached their favorites to offer treats. Pauline greeted her glistening horse by blowing gentle breaths on his muzzle, which he returned fondly, blowing lightly back toward her loving face. Marigold did the same with her own beautiful horse.

Pauline grabbed the bridle hanging on the hook by her black stallion’s stall. The stallion snorted as she placed the bridle over his lowered head and led him, prancing, from the stall. She swung herself up on the dark horse’s bare back and they took off to gallop the field. Marigold did the same with her sparkling white mare.

They pulled up together, laughing and windblown, as they then enjoyed a long easy trail ride together, giggling at the playful antics of their fantastical mounts. No one else could ride them; only the two girls possessed the abilities. These two horses acted wild and untrained around anyone else.

The girls trotted, astride their horses, back to the barn. They put the horses into their respective turn-outs, while the girls cleaned the stalls. Each of the horses first pawed the ground lightly in preparation for rolling enthusiastically in the fresh grass, shaking out the dust vigorously before grazing contentedly. When the girls finished the heart-felt task of stripping and bedding the horses cozy homes, they groomed their horses meticulously ahead of returning them to their comfortable stalls. They fed the horses hay and grain, before granting good-nights and a few more treats.

Neither of the girls’ parents would buy them horses of their own, claiming expenses and danger and responsibility, but nothing could persuade the two best friends from their imaginary world filled with joy, until the call for dinner disrupted their conceived universe.

Twilight was approaching when Pauline’s Mother called them in. They were giddy, spending hours together with their special horses. As they once again crossed the threshold from the big door into the yard, hand-in-hand, the beautiful stable transformed again into the old barn. They skipped in unison back to the house for a well-earned end-of-summer dinner. They would then watch their favorite horse movie, with popcorn to share before retiring to the bedroom, full of the mandatory girl talk and giggles prior to sleep. They were nervous about the new school, new kids, boys, but no anxiety compared to the binding passion held most dear to their hearts; the horses. They finally fell asleep pursuing dreams of their magical horses, galloping with them through meadows, wild and free.

Pauline and Marigold said their good-byes late the next morning when Marigold’s Mom pulled into the driveway to pick her up from the sleepover. They would see each other next on Monday, when the bus picked them up for transport to their new school.

See Part 2 here.

See Part 3 here.

See Part 4 here.