Coal Dust

by Izzy Davis

“Ready, set, go!” Fifteen year old Andrea Carter dug her bare heels into Taffy’s sides, leaning forward in excitement.  Taffy sprang into an eager gallop, ahead of the chestnut gelding that followed close behind.  The wind whipped past her ears, tearing through her thick, long braid, and Taffy’s creamy mane lashed her face.

Cory was gaining on her, and Andi suddenly felt a flicker of uncertainty. Her horse sensed this and lengthened her strides.  They were flying.  The creek came into view as the riders crested a hill, and adrenaline pumped through Andi’s body. They would win. They had to.  The earth seemed to fall way as the mare dashed down the hill, and Andi leaned up, clutching the reins and a fistful of Taffy’s mane.

Cory was riding alongside them now, and risked a grin at Andi. 

She rolled her eyes, and squeezed her legs into Taffy’s sides.  “Come on, girl!” Andi shouted, “We’ve got to get there first!”

The hill leveled out, the creek dead ahead. Taffy suddenly surged forward ahead of the chestnut, and without hesitation leapt into the creek.  Andi wanted to shout, hug and kiss her horse, and jump down and splash in the crystal blue water, but resisted the urge and instead guided Taffy onto the bank where Cory was already dismounted and patting Flash’s neck.

“Good race Andi. Should’ve known Taffy was aching to run.” Cory gave her a lopsided grin.

“Flash is a horse I wouldn’t want to race against on any other animal.” Andi admitted. “He’s the fastest horse in town.”

“Really?” Cory asked. “Ya think so?”

“Sure.” Andi nodded, then with a grin, “But I’ve got the fastest horse in California!”  

Cory rolled his eyes. 

Andi grinned, but it faded when she heard a barely audible cry. “What was that?” She asked.

Cory looked around. “I don’t know. Let’s take a look around.”  They mounted up and Andi splashed across the creek, her alert eyes scanning the immediate area. A dark form lying on the ground caught her attention.  She guided Taffy over to the mound, and gasped.

“Cory! Over here!” She shouted, dismounting and kneeling down next to the object.  It let out another feeble bawl.  Cory rode up at a brisk trot, and jumped off of Flash with seasoned ease.

“What’s the matter?” he asked, gathering Taffy’s reins with Flash’s and stepping up.

“Cory, it’s a calf. A newborn, too.” She looked up soberly into his face.

“Let me see.” He shooed the horses away. They took a few steps away and dropped their heads to crop the lush, green grass.  Cory examined the calf, finding it severely malnourished and shivering.  “It’s only a day or so old, Andi. It’s not gonna make it.”

“It has to!” Andi shot back fiercely, choking back pitying emotion. “Help me get him on Taffy, and I’ll take him home. I’ll get him cleaned up and fed, and stay with him tonight. He will pull through.”  

Cory shot her a doubtful look.  

“I know what I’m doing, Cory Blake, now help me!”

Andi gently slid her arm under the calf’s neck, and lifted. Cory grabbed the other end, and with some difficulty they were able to lay him across Taffy’s upper back, in front of the saddle horn.  Andi mounted up carefully, then slowly pulled the calf over her legs so it would be more comfortable.

“I’ll ride with you; just to be sure if he falls off I can help you get him back up.” Cory told her, swinging up into the saddle.

“Alright,” Andi agreed.

The two set off, very slowly, and Andi’s legs soon began to ache.  After what seemed to be forever, the huge Carter hacienda came into view.  “Finally, home!” Andi exhaled deeply, and directed Taffy to the barn.

Cory dismounted first and Andi helped him lower the calf into his arms so she could dismount and help him transfer it into the barn.  “Hmm, there’s an empty stall across from Taffy’s. Let’s put him in there.”

Andi opened the stall door, and stepped into the deep blanket of straw that was spread over the floor.  Cory lowered the animal to the ground, and Andi knelt down beside it.

“He needs milk. Now.” Andi stood up.

“Where are you going to get it from?” Cory asked, puzzled.

“I’m not sure…” Andi sat down, and laid her hand across the calf’s neck, her brows furrowed in deep thought. “I know!” She exclaimed. “We have a mare that just had a foal. Why don’t we milk her?”

“Milk a horse?” Cory was dubious.

“It ought to work.” Andi stood and brushed past Cory as she exited the stall.

It was an awkward job, milking a horse, but Andi squeezed out enough to satisfy the calf, for now.  She poured the milk into a bottle, and fixed up a leather nipple.  It took some effort, but Andi was able to lift the calf’s head, and pour a few drops of milk into his mouth.  After a little while, the calf was strong enough to suck the milk from the bottle.

Andi laughed. “See, he is strong!”

Cory grinned. “Guess you’re right, Andi!” He dropped down into the hay next to her, and helped hold his mouth steady.

***

Andi grabbed a horse blanket and nestled into the hay. The calf lay down next to her and rested his head across her lap.

“All tucked in for the night?” Chad asked, leaning over the stall door.

“Yep.” Andi smiled, and patted the calf’s neck.

“I still can’t believe Mother is letting you sleep out here.” Chad shook his head with a grin.

“The powers of persuasion, I guess!” Andi laughed.

“Well, if you get scared or cold, come inside. I’ll leave the door unlocked.” Chad teased.

“Not on your life!” Andi retorted. “I’m staying put!”

“Alright. Well, good night!” Chad walked out of the barn, taking the lantern with him.

The barn suddenly felt cold, dark, and lonely, but Taffy poked her head out her stall door, her eyes glittering in the slight moonlight shining in from a crack, and Andi felt comforted.

“Well, little guy, what should I call you?” she asked, patting his side.  The calf blinked its eyes sleepily, its long eyelashes fluttering.  Its coat was as black as midnight, its eyes soft and dark.  “I know! I’ll call you Coal Dust.”

Andi contentedly settled down into the hay and closed her eyes. Dear Lord, please help little Coal Dust to live through the night. Help him to grow up to be strong and healthy. Maybe Chad will use him as a breeding bull…

***

Andi opened her eyes.  Morning.  Coal Dust was still lying across her lap, letting out regular deep breaths.  Andi let out a sigh of relief.  It felt as if she’d been holding her breath all night and was now letting it all out.

Thank you, God, she prayed silently, rubbing one of Coal Dust’s velvet ears.

Today was Sunday, and Andi couldn’t take Coal Dust to church. She almost let out a disappointed sigh, then stopped herself.

God gave me the opportunity to raise this poor calf. I can’t stay home, it would be wrong! Andi felt terrible. I’m sorry, God, she prayed as she slipped out from under Coal Dust, and exited the stall.  She was surprised to find the California dirt wet and muddy.  “Must have rained last night,” She mused.

****

After breakfast, Andi tripped lightly downstairs, dressed in her new church dress her mother had bought for her. She had to admit it was pretty, but the way the lace collar itched her neck and the long folds of the skirt fell in graceful dignity to the floor made her feel grown up.

I’m not ready for this. I want out of this thing! At least Melinda will be happy…

As Andi slipped out the door and headed for the buggy where Chad and Mitch were sitting, waiting for them, she heard a distinct bawling sound coming from the barn.  

Diego, one of the ranch hands, emerged at a sprint from the barn.  “Boss, there’s a calf in the empty stall!” He shouted in alarm. “And it sounds hungry. Where’s his mother?”

Andi ran over to him, holding her skirt off of the muddy ground with her fist.   “I found her yesterday. Find a bottle and milk Gypsy. She just had a foal. Feed him, and he should go back to sleep. His name is Coal Dust.”

Diego stared at her as if she’d just told him to pet a rattlesnake on the head, but there was no time to say anything in return before out of the barn romped a black streak, charging Andi. 

“No!” Andi shouted, but it was too late.   Coal Dust had skidded to a stop right in front of her, sending a wave of mud spraying onto her dress.

“I’d better get him put away,” Diego was more than happy to take the calf back into the barn.

Andi turned to race to the house and up the stairs to change before her mother saw her.  Elizabeth Carter, hands clasped, her dress without wrinkle or spot, stood a few steps behind her. Melinda stood beside the buggy, a hand over her mouth. Mitch tried to cover up an amused grin, but Chad didn’t look very happy, and Andi had a feeling it wasn’t because of her ruined dress.  Her cheeks flamed in embarrassed misery.

“Hurry and change, Andrea, before we are late for church.” Elizabeth crisply instructed.  Was that a faint smile Andi detected on her lips?  Andi ran into the house, up the stairs, and into her room.

Oh, how she wished she could stay in her room and not face her family!  Get over it, she told herself.  Being sorry for yourself won’t help anything! 

Quickly changing into her usual Sunday best dress, Andi rushed down the stairs and sprinted out to the buggy where her family waited, trying to ignore the piteous bawling sounding from the barn.

As they left the buggy bounced on ruts made by previous travelers on the road and Andi sat, oblivious to the shouts back at the house and the hoof beats in the mud behind them.

If she had heard…

***

Andi sat on the end of the Carter’s customary pew beside Mitch, distractedly listening to the organ play the prelude as families filed in to their seats.  “I saw your bath earlier,” Mitch teased in a low tone, nudging Andi’s shoulder.

Andi rolled her eyes. “You mean, ‘mud bath’. Ugh, Mitch, Coal Dust has attached himself to me, and I’m not sure if he’ll ever let go. I love him a lot, and hope he’s going to pull through, though I reckon there’s no doubt about it now, but I want him to know he’s a bull, not a human.”

Mitch laughed softly in her ear but there was no more time for talk; the organ stopped, the minister stepped up to the pulpit, and the buzzing of voices ceased.

Andi tried her best to listen attentively to the sermon but something was nagging her. What if Coal Dust didn’t pull through? What if he became sick or what if…

The minister briefly paused in his sermon. Everything was still, and quiet. Too quiet.  From behind her Andi heard a muffled, stunned gasp; rustling of movement; and an all too familiar clip-clop on the wooden floor. 

Andi closed her eyes. Please no. 

Oh, no. Too much to hope for.

Coal Dust paraded up the aisle pasted in sticky mud, his large eyes gazing in wonder at the strange two-legged phenomena sitting on benches in wide-mouthed astonishment at him. 

When he reached the Carter’s pew he stopped and sniffed Andi.  Yep, you’re the one I want! He seemed to say, as he laid his head on Andi’s lap lovingly, smearing mud on her dress.

Justin and Lucy, who sat on the pew ahead of them, were genuinely shocked. Mitch doubled over beside her, laughter shaking his shoulders. Chad tried to hide a huge smile behind his hand, but Melinda sat straight and ladylike, mortified.  Elizabeth gave Andi a certain look that told her she’d better get that creature out of this church, or else…

Andi didn’t want to think about the consequences.  Her cheeks glowing a deep red of embarrassment, Andi stood up, taking Coal Dust by the unused dog collar Diego must have slipped on him after they left, she pulled the calf firmly down the aisle and out the building.

Once the door shut behind her, Andi could hear the pastor attempt to regain the attention of the church.  Her eyes brimming with tears of shame, Andi tied the calf tightly to a post by the teams hitched to wagons and buggies. Maybe the horses would keep him quiet. As Andi finished tying Coal Dust, she heard footsteps behind her.  Cory, dressed in his Sunday duds, an amused grin mixed with sympathetic apology, stepped up next to her.

“Boy, Andi, you sure know how to make things lively!” He started another round of laughter.

Andi cringed. “I’ve only had him a couple days and already he’s caused me enough trouble to last me two lifetimes!” A silent tear slid down her cheek. “Now I’ll be the laughing stock of town for years! At the barber shop, the quilting bees, all you’ll ever hear is, ‘Andi Carter’s calf sure is a troublemaker!’ Oh Cory, what am I going to do?”

“Prove ‘em wrong!” Cory said emphatically, resting a hand on Andi’s shoulder. “He’ll be good breeding stock from the look of him, and Chad could make use of him. Just prove ‘em wrong, Andi!”

Andi nodded. “I’ll try.”

“Good,” Cory grinned, “Now, let’s go back inside.”

Andi tried to keep up with Cory but before she stepped back inside the church, unafraid of the critiques and stares she was about to receive, she shot a triumphant glance at the shed where a little black form stood, curiously sniffing a horse who was doing likewise.

Yes, Coal Dust, I will make something out of you, you little rascal!

***

A couple years later, Coal Dust had grown up into a massive bull, the very best, with rippling muscles, ivory white horns, and a tail like a whip- the very figure of an aggressive animal, but no. He was as gentle as a lamb and when Andi would walk near him he gave a snort of delight and loved when she pampered him with little treats. No one ever claimed Coal Dust, so he became part of the family.

Chad thought it absurd that a bull of his size and strength, acted like a baby when Andi was around him, but Coal Dust remembered that day when he, a little calf, was rescued by a girl who became the most important person in his life – Andi Carter.