Page 76 of Falling Together

“This is so fun,” she says.

“You like it?”

“Yeah. Queenie is the best.”

The horse neighs in agreement.

“You’re going to give Queenie here a big head.” She laughs as I stop her at the stairs. “Let’s give one of the boys a turn, and if there’s time at the end, I’ll let you go again, okay?”

“Okay. Does this mean we can do it at more lessons?”

“We can do it as much as you want. You did a great job.”

“You did awesome!” Ben gives her a high five before I help him on the horse and adjust the stirrups.

When the two brothers first came to me, they barely said a word and were scared of the horses. Now, being in the barn is second nature to them. With the progress Maddie is making, she’ll be there in no time.

The boys have done this enough times that they can take the reins and do it on their own. I stay close by just in case, but Ben doesn’t need me. Neither does River.

Ben and River take their turns, and they both chat with Maddie about riding and how they like getting to tell their friends at school about it. It’s one thing that I know makes it easier to connect with others. It gives them a safe environment to open up and feel their emotions. Something they didn’t always have before coming here.

After River dismounts, I take Maddie on a few more laps. This time, she does it with ease.

“You are crushing it, Maddie. I’m proud of you.”

“Thanks, Georgia.”

“Was it better than you thought?”

She nods. “So much better. I can’t wait to tell Marcy and Darren about this.”

“I know they will love hearing about it.”

A few of my students were placed with Marcy and Darren before, and they are some of the best foster parents in the county.

“Alright. I think that’s all we have time for.” I lead her back to the stairs, and together with the boys, the three of them lead Queenie back to her stall and start brushing her out.

Janice joins me as we watch the three of them work together.

“Maddie did a great job out there today,” she says.

“She did. I’m really proud of her.”

“I knew this would be a good fit.”

“It’s all her. She opened up when she was ready and I’m thrilled with how much progress she’s making.”

Janice smiles at me before slipping her sunglasses back on her face. “I’ll be waiting outside for them.”

I smile at her before going to grab the treats for Queenie and heading back to her stall.

“Alright, who wants to give Queenie her treat?” I ask.

“Me!” Maddie jumps up and down.

“Make sure you hold your hand out flat and she’ll grab it from you.”

She does as I instruct and it makes me even happier to hear her laughter. The three of them can’t stop chattering when we go find Janice, and they all run off together as I wave goodbye.