Taffy Goes Missing

by Naomi Fritts, age 9

Picture Prompt: Andi Far from Home

“1,2,3!” six-year-old Andi Carter jumped of the porch steps. Dust flew everywhere. “Ouch,” she cried.

“It was only a few steps Andi,” A voice came from nowhere. “Don’t be a baby.”

Andi put her hand on her hips. “Riley Prescott, how long have you been there?”

Riley laughed, “Long enough.”

Andi’s face redden. She stood stiffly and walked to the barn as if she hadn’t heard Riley’s response. She swung the barn door open with force. Suddenly, she let out a little cry.

Riley ran to the barn. “What the mater Andi?”.

“It’s Taffy.” Tears streamed down her face. “She’s…she’s… gone.”

“Calm down Andi. What do you mean she’s gone?”

“She’s not in her stall.”

 “She’s properly grazing nearby.” Riley declared matter of factly. “She wouldn’t leave you.”

Chad entered the barn with a lariat around his shoulder.  He looked worriedly at Andi. “What’s wrong sis? Are you hurt?”

Andi couldn’t answer. Chad turned to Riley with a questioned look.

“Taffy’s missing,” Riley said.

Chad rubbed his sister’s head; he was used to her getting in trouble. “Don’t worry sis she couldn’t have gone far. I’ll go out and look for her right now.”

                                                  ***

Later That Night

Andi sat on the sofa watching out the window for Taffy. “Chad’s been gone for hours.” She declared discouraged. “It’s getting dark.”

Elizabeth put her arm around her distraught daughter. “Sweetheart everything is going to be fine. Why don’t you get some sleep?”

Andi wrapped her arms tightly around her mother. “Will you wake me if Taffy comes home?”

“Of course.” Elizabeth placed a kiss on Andi’s forehead.

Andi half walked half dragged herself up to her room. She pulled on her long cotton nightgown and grabbed her wooden brush and began combing through her hair. “21, 22,23…” Suddenly she stopped. Had she heard a horse? Had Chad come home? She dropped her brush and ascended the stairs two at a time.

“Chad!” Andi clapped her hands in excitement. “Where’s Taffy?

Chad put his cup of coffee on the table. “Honey, I wasn’t able to find her.”

Andi took a step backwards. Her eyes became misty. “Oh Chad.”

“Cheer up, Honey Bunny. We’ll find her.” encouraged Justin.

Andi smiled a little. Justin always called her that when she was sad. Slowly she made her way up the stairs. Her heart stopped at what she overheard Chad saying.

“To be honest, Justin, I’m worried about Taffy. She’s less than a year old. It’s not safe for her to stray from home.”

Andi pictured Justin nodding his head in agreement, but she wasn’t prepared for his response. “I know what kind of animals lurk out there. Taffy is so defenseless; she doesn’t have a chance. Poor Andi.” 

                                                    ***

Two Weeks Later                                                                    

It was beautiful Sunday afternoon. The sky was bright blue spotted with fluffy clouds. Wild dandelions stood at boldly with their deep yellow color. Andi listened to the birds sing. It did her heart good. Taffy was still missing, and Andi was facing the fact that she may never see her again, but seeing such detail in creation, Andi was reminded that God was in control.

Andi’s bedroom door opened. “Andi, are you ready?” Melinda looked at Andi’s tangled curls. She said nothing as she crossed the room. Her hands moved quickly as she turned Andi’s dark blob into a silky-smooth hairstyle. She stood back to admire her work. “You look beautiful, Andi. Quite grownup.”

Andi smiled. She didn’t feel grownup. She wanted to throw herself on the bed and cry like a baby but instead she gave her sister a big hug. Melinda had been extra kind to Andi lately. Andi almost felt like her big sister understood how she felt. She straighten the bottom of her new church dress and slid her hand in Melinda’s. 

                                                      ***

Andi sat in silence with her hands folded in her lap. She tried hard not to think on her unhappiness. After all, it was the Lord’s Day.

“We have a new family with us today. The Lincolns moved here last week from San Francisco.” The reverend motion for the newcomers to stand. “This is Samuel and his daughter Lydia. They’re living on the old Hatton place. Let’s say a prayer of blessing for our new neighbors.”

                                                               ***

Andi sat in the rig alone while the rest of her family were talking to the Reverend. She just didn’t feel like talking. Loud snickers came from behind her. Andi turned to see two horses hitched to a small carriage. One was a beautiful dark chocolate brown, but it was the golden palomino that catch Andi’s eye. She swallowed the lump in her throat. “Taffy?”

The horse raised its head.

Andi put her arms around the horse’s neck. “Oh Taffy!”

“What are you doing to my horse?”

The voice startled Andi. She turned quickly. A young, but beautiful young lady stood in front of her. Her dark blue dress with stiff white collar showed her slim figure to an advantage. Andi knew right away this stranger was Lydia Lincoln.

“It’s not your horse. It’s my horse Taffy, and if you’ll be so kind to unhitch her from your rig I’d be most grateful.” Andi spoke in her most grownup voice.

Lydia laughed but her hazel eyes burned. “I beg your pardon, but my father gave me this horse as a gift and if you’ll be so kind to get out of the way we are most anxious to get home.”

Andi ran to get Chad but when she returned the carriage was gone.

                                                                ***

When the family got home Andi went to her bedroom. She dug through her dresser drawer and pulled out a leather wrapped book and an ink filled pen.                                

Dear Diary,

Today I saw Taffy but under circumstances I would never dream of. A new family named Lincoln moved into the Hatton’s mansion. We just met the father and his daughter Lydia, who is around 17. It was their carriage that I saw Taffy hitched too. They claimed it’s their horse, but I just know it’s Taffy. Chad and Mitch are going over there tomorrow to talk things over. I better get washed up for lunch now.

Andi closed her diary with a sigh. Quickly she changed her clothes and braided her hair. She looked longingly at the stairs. Making sure no one was watching, she sat on the banisters and slid down. “Wheeeeee!” Andi laughed gayfully.

                                                              ***

The Next Day

Chad whistle at the beautiful five story house as he twisted the doorbell.

The maid came to the door. “May I help you sir?”

“My name is Chad Carter. This is my brother Mitch. We’re hoping to see either Samuel or Miss Lincoln.”

“Follow me.” The maid led the men into the gardens where Lydia sat reading and drinking tea. “Miss Lydia, these gentlemen wished to see you or your father.”

“Thank you Celeste. Come in please. My father is not here presently, but I hope I can help you.” Lydia stood and motioned for the two to be seated. “Have some tea.”

Chad and Mitch sat down. “It’s a lovely place you have here. Best in the town.” Mitch stated.

Lydia looked pleased. “Thank you. I wasn’t crazy about the idea of moving from San Francisco to a small town like this, but Father thought it would be best after Mother’s death. It’s not so bad here though. I like the house and our servants were able to travel with us. The people are nice enough and although I’m not crazy about cows, I enjoy the horses.”

Chad sat up straighter. “That brings up the reason while we came.” He went into detail about Taffy’s disappearance and how Andi was sure she saw Taffy tied to the carriage Sunday.    

Lydia blushed. “Oh, was that little girl your sister? I thought she was just a mischievous child trying to make trouble.”

“So, you’ll let us look at the horse?” Chad asked.

Lydia looked annoyed. “You may see the horse, but you’ll find that it’s not your Taffy.” The servant brought Taffy around to the garden patio.

Right away Chad knew it was Taffy. He whistled. “Taffy! Come here girl.”

Quickly Lydia pulled two sugar cubes from the tea tray. She kept them from Chad and Mitch’s view. “Cookie!” She called to the horse. The palomino trotted over to Lydia and rubbed her hand with her nose. “That’s a good girl, Cookie.”

Chad and Mitch looked confused. “That horse means a lot to our little sister.” Mitch pointed out.

“And horse stealing is a serious crime,” Chad added.

Lydia looked shocked. “I’ve never been in a position where I’ve needed to steal anything, and you have no right to accuse me of such a horrid thing.” She held her head high. “Cookie was a gift from my father if you must know.” She cleared her throat. “It was nice of you gentlemen to call; Celeste will show you out.”

Chad stood. “If we must, we’ll take this to court.”

Lydia stood her ground. “You just do that. I should remind you that bringing a case before the court can be quite expensive and we have the finances.”

“And I should point out our brother’s a very prominent lawyer here.” Chad declared half mockingly.

Lydia stomped her foot. “Good day gentlemen.”

                                                             ***

First Day in Court

Andi tried to sit still but her whole body itched. She scratched her arm. Going to court was uncomfortable and boring.

“Mr. Lincoln, your daughter already testified that the horse was a gift given to her through you,” Justin began.

“Correct.”

“Where did you get the horse?”

“I found him.”

“Where?”

“I’m no thief. I found the horse on my property.”

“Tell me Mr. Lincoln, do you find it odd that recently my sister lost her golden palomino, and you recently found a golden palomino?”

“All I know is I found an unbranded horse on my property.”

“Before you continue Mr. Carter,” The judge interrupted. “Was your horse branded?”

“No sir. The horse is very young, and my sister, who owns the horse saw it as cruel to do so.  We intended to brand her of course, but when she was a little older.”

“Proceed,” The judge leaned back in his chair.

Justin sighed no further questions.

Andi wanted to cry. She could still remember her and Chad’s argument about whether Taffy should be branded or not. She could hear herself demanding her rights as Taffy’s owner.

Andi closed her eyes. “God, I’m sorry I was stubborn and didn’t listen to Chad. I can see that he was right and only wanted to protect Taffy. Help me to listen God and please don’t take Taffy away from me.” Suddenly Andi remembered something. She waited for Justin to sit down and whispered something in his ear.

Justin stood. “Your honor, I ask for a recess to investigate some evidence that has just been brought to my knowledge.”

“Is that alright with you?” The judge pointed to the Lincoln’s lawyer who nodded. “Very well Carter, court adjourned until 1:00 tomorrow.”

                                                ***

Andi ran up the attic steps two at a time. She stopped when she came to a large brown chest. She kneeled and opened it. Flipping through baby clothes, embroideries, and quilts Andi pulled out a large book. Her scrapbook. Every year mother pasted pictures into the book. Andi flipped through it until she found what she was looking for. A smile came across her face.

                                                         ***

Back in Court

“Your honor,” Justin began. “I have evidence that the horse is my sister’s.”

“Please bring the evidence forward.”

Justin walked to the front of the room and showed the judge Andi’s scrapbook. “This is a picture taken when Taffy was born.” He flipped the page. “This picture was taken a few months ago. You’ll see that in every way the horse in this picture and the horse involved in this case are identical.”

The judge, looking satisfied, sat up. “Mr. Lincoln, I understand that you are new to this community and not familiar with the people that live here or their animals. In this case, we will respect your word and no charges will be held against you. However, next time you find a horse on your property I suggest you make it known and not assume it is wild. I cannot overlook the details in this picture or the reputation of the Carters. You will return the horse to Miss Andrea this afternoon.” The judge pounded his gravel. “This case is closed.”

                                                                 ***

Andi walked outside the courtroom. “God, thank you that Taffy will be coming home. Thank you for my wonderful family that cares for me, and Lord help me to learn from this and listen. AMEN.” Andi felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned to see Lydia. Her eyes glisten with tears.

“Andrea, I hope you’ll believe me when I say I wasn’t trying to be deceitful. I received the horse from my father. It was so thin and dirty I never once thought it might belong to someone else. I thought you were just a kid trying to make trouble for me and my father. I misjudged you terribly. Can you forgive me Andrea?”

The look in her eyes told Andi she meant it. Andi smiled up at her. “My friends just call me Andi.”

                                                              ***

“No, Andi. I want you to.” Chad crossed his arms.

“I can’t.”

“Yes you can.” Chad encouraged.

Andi removed the long iron rod from the fire. She bit her tongue as she firmly held it to Taffy’s side. She was surprised when the horse remained calm.

Chad stood to the side with a proud grin across his face. “I told you it wouldn’t hurt her.”

Andi stepped back. Taffy was branded and it wasn’t cruel after all. Just like Chad had said. She wrapped her arms around Chad’s waist. “Thank you Chad for being patient with me. I try harder to be better, honest I will.”

Chad kneeled close to Andi. “I know you’ll try sis, but I don’t know if I want you to be perfect.” He smiled and ruffled her hair. “You’re kind of a special girl, Andrea Carter and I love you just the way you are.”