• Everything was fuzzy and blurry. Addie clutched her forehead to stay focused. off. She wasn't wearing her contacts and her tears welled up every second.
    Addie looked in her mirror. Her super-curly brown hair was slightly frizzed and her blue eyes were red and puffy. Her cheeks were blotched with tears and dark mascara. Addie grabbed a Kleenex and wiped the make-up off. She heard the front door knock from her bedroom.
    Addie’s mother rushed to the door. Her hands were slightly trembling. Addie wasn’t surprised to see Mr. Jones standing on the front porch with a bouquet of roses. Lionel Jones was the Greenwell’s next door neighbor. Addie still wondered how someone a mile away could be your neighbor.
    Mr. Jones stepped in and sat on the couch, already occupied by the Greenwell’s cat, Skippy. The brown feline hissed and arched his back to Mr. Jones. Addie’s mother went to get a vase for the roses. She came back with a spare glass jug and set it on the coffee table. She sat down in a black recliner chair and spoke to Mr. Jones while Addie listened from her room.
    “It was awful nice for you to get us these roses, Lionel,” Her mother said. Her eyes were also puffy and red, but her auburn hair still shone in the light. Mr. Jones smiled and said “The best for Hank, I guess,”. Addie almost cried again. Hank Greenwell, the bravest man in the army Addie ever knew. Now he can’t be the bravest man in the army, she thought. She smacked her forehead. How could she think such a thing?
    Addie put her attention on her surroundings again. Addie’s mother and Mr. Jones were talking about her.
    “How’s she?” Mr. Jones asked. He was now stroking Skippy with two fingers. “Addie’s been in her room for a half-hour, I s’pose she’s still upset.” Her mother sighed. “16 and so sensitive, you know?”
    Addie was horrified. She wasn’t sensitive. She’d never cried like this, ever. Addie stormed out of her room heading for the back door. Mr. Jones opened his mouth to say hello but Addie was out of the door before he could say anything. “What is wrong with that child?” Her mother asked, puzzled.
    Addie headed for the stable behind the house. She thought she needed time with Gracie. She reached the barn, the door still opened from chores. The air was full of the aroma of horse-business and fresh hay from Dave’s Horse Supply Co. Thunder and Bill snorted excitedly, anxious for a ride. “No, boys.” Addie said. She headed to Gracie’s stall at the far end of the barn. Gracie neighed happily to see her owner. Addie unlatched her from the stall, gripping tightly on Gracie’s reins.
    Addie grabbed a blanket from the supply cabinet and threw it on Gracie’s brown back. Addie didn’t reach for a saddle as she pulled herself up on Gracie’s back. She didn’t remove the reins, either, because Addie knew how sensitive Gracie’s black mane was. Addie patted her horse’s side and said “To the field, girl.”
    Gracie galloped out of the stable and out into the fields, her dark black mane gracefully blowing through the June wind. Addie’s hair was like “the attack of the mutant curly-head”.
    “Whoa, Gracie, whoa.” Addie said. They were about in the center of the field. Addie dismounted Gracie and jumped into the knee-length grass. She leaned against her horse and sighed. “Oh Gracie, mama’s right.” Gracie snorted. Addie faced her. Gracie’s head was turned to Addie too. “Do you think I’m sensitive, girl? I mean for running out of the house like that?” Addie was stroking Gracie’s mane. Gracie whinnied. Addie smiled.
    “I knew you would understand, girl,” she chuckled. Then Addie’s expression changed into sadness. Gracie cocked her head seeming to say ’What’s wrong?’. Addie forced a smile. “Oh Gracie, it’s Dad.” Addie paused. “He’s…” Addie almost chocked up. “He’s gone, Gracie. Forever.”
    Gracie nudged her head to Addie, trying to comfort her owner. Addie patted her. “I know girl, I know.”