Jan Sikes

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#CreativePerspectiveChallenge Four! #flashfiction #poetry #writingcommunity #writingchallenge @dlfinnauthor.bsky.social

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Author, D.L. Finn, posted her fourth writing challenge and I am thrilled to get to join in this time!

Here is this month’s image:

Homecoming

The sun broke through the clouds, driving the heaviness of night away as I dashed out the back door toward the barn.

Rowdy waited patiently in his stall, snorting and tossing his head. As soon as I looped the halter over his head, he whinnied and I led him out past the corral into the open pasture where spring flowers bloomed and knee-high grass waved in the early morning breeze. For the first time in months, I could breathe—really breathe.

He followed me, like always, and when I stopped, he nuzzled my pocket for the treat he knew awaited.

I chuckled. “You never forgot, did you, boy?”

Thank goodness Aunt Millie had sent for me. Uncle Frank’s death hit her hard. Truth be told, I had all but lost my way in the big city. I needed to come home. But being the stubborn girl I am, I had to have a reason.

I was, am, and always will be a country girl at heart. I didn’t have the skills to handle the pitfalls of the city. And especially, where one brown-eyed man was concerned. I lost my heart, then my head.

Bringing myself back to the present, I hauled myself up on Rowdy’s back and flicked the reins. He flew across the pasture where we’d roamed numerous times. The stuffy apartment I’d hastily left behind didn’t begin to resemble a real home.

We rode for over an hour. When I finally pulled up, Rowdy lowered his head so I could slide. off. He always knew me best.

I stood for a long minute, my forehead touching his. While he poured his love into me, I poured my grief into him. Tears slid down my cheeks and dripped onto his face. With a flick of his tongue, he wiped them away.

With the sun warming my back, I mentally pulled myself up by the bootstraps. “You’re stronger than that, Savannah.”

I stroked his head. “What do you think, old boy? Do we have another rodeo in us?” He stamped his hooves and nickered.

I’d barrel raced with him from the time I was a freshman in high school. And we often won. Together we were an unbeatable team. Nothing felt more right than standing in the middle of the pasture with him while the day awakened around us.

When I wrapped my arms around his thick neck, he laid his big head on my shoulder. That’s real love. No expectations, no judgement, just pure love.

I kissed his forehead. “Rowdy and Savannah ride again. Think I might have some t-shirts printed for the next rodeo.”

My stomach growled and we sauntered back toward the barn. The last thing I wanted to do was worry Aunt Millie, but I’d made up my mind.

I was coming home.

And this time, for good.

Rowdy whinnied and pranced. Our hearts had always been joined. He knew.

If you’d like to join in the prompt, click HERE!

24 thoughts on “#CreativePerspectiveChallenge Four! #flashfiction #poetry #writingcommunity #writingchallenge @dlfinnauthor.bsky.social”

  2. Pingback: #CreativePerspectiveChallenge Four Results #jansikes #yvettecalleiro #tankaprose #flashfiction #poetry #writingcommunity – Author D.L. Finn

  6. Darlene

    I just knew you would come up with something great for this prompt, Jan. And you didn’t disappoint! I love the connection between the girl and the horse. Well done.

    Reply
  10. D.L. Finn, Author

    Wow, Jan! This really pulled me in, the setting is beautiful and the relationship between them touching. This would be a great beginning to a novel! Thank you for joining in. Xo

    Reply

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