Chapter Five
Momentary Joy

The two-legged placed that new horse in the stall across from mine. He is clearly terrified. His nostrils quiver and his eyes are open wide. I hear his footsteps as he walks anxiously around his stall.
I stand in the disgusting muck and watch him patiently. I nicker softly, trying to capture his attention. He stops and glances at me, but then continues to walk feverishly.
A different two-legged than normal comes up to me. She smells of horses and has dirt smudged on her face.
I shy away to the corner of my stall, unsure of what she will do. Instead of yelling at me, she smiles kindly and looks into my stall. "Goodness, this is a mess. C'mere, girl." She reaches her hands through the bars invitationally. I hesitate and study her hand. I take one step. "Good girl," she says, smiling.
I slowly take a few more steps, until my nose gently touches her hand. The two legged withdraws her hand and grabs a halter. She opens the stall door and offers for me to smell the halter.
I do, then I lower my head for her to lead me.
She slips the halter over my ears and leads me into the bright sun.
I blink and hide my head behind her slightly. It has been a long time since I have been in the sun. It feels good.