Back Home To You

MORGAN     I loved running around the fields, watching the cattle graze in the pastures, the horses galloping around, and the farmers picking up the harvest.      It was the life any little girl could want. And that’s the life I had. It was a beautiful summer day and we were on vacation from school. I loved heading first thing in the morning to all our chicken coops and collect all the eggs we would have for breakfast, while Dad would feed the horses and clean their stalls.     My twin sister Madison was a little different from me. Yes, she loved horses, and she loved the country life, but she was more of the quiet and shy kind of girl. She was also sensitive, whilst I was a little tougher.     “Madison would wake up in the morning to help Mom prepare breakfast for the family before they both cleaned the house. She would just then sit on the porch and read her fantasy books. That’s how much she loved using her imagination while I loved living in the moment.     “Come on Madison. Let’s go pick the eggs, we might have a lot and I need help!” I excitedly told her.     She stood up and helped me out, and when we were done she was back to her books. I rolled my eyes, smiling at my beautiful sister. I really needed to help her get out of her shell.     When I was making my way into the house, I saw a pick up truck approach our driveway. I instantly knew who it was, Mrs. Helena Spencer and my best friend in the whole world, Oliver.     We were always spending time together at school, and since they only lived a couple of miles away from my home, he would spend the summer days helping out and playing with us.     Well, mostly with me.     “Oliver!” I yelled, rushing towards him to give him a hug, careful not to break the eggs.    “Hi, Morgan. Do you need help with those eggs?” he offered with a smile.    I accepted the help and we took the eggs inside while Helena went in to talk to my parents. We all had breakfast and almost chatted the morning away, forgetting there was a lot of work to be done.     “Hey Mom, can I stay here a little bit to help them with the horses?” Oliver asked.     “Sure, I mean if that’s okay with the Williams,” his mom replied.     I looked at my parents with puppy dog eyes and they agreed to let Oliver stay for a little bit. We ran to the stables, excited to see the horses. As soon as we walked in, we sat down in a bale of hay to chat and play.     I took my fiddle out of Dad’s office, eager to play it for my best friend. This instrument has been my sidekick since I was five years old. Now, I’m ten and I still love playing it.     Oliver sang to the music. His melodious voice echoing inside the stables as the horses neighed, not sure if having fun or telling us to quit it. After a while of fun, Dad offered to take Oliver back home.     I went to my room and laid in bed, thinking of how much fun I had today. Sleep suddenly took over, but I was soon woken up by voices outside my room. I opened the door a little and walked over to the stairs, but I didn’t get too far where I could clearly listen to my parents talking in the kitchen.     Or more like arguing.     Madison also heard them and got out of her room, walking over to where I was. I couldn’t make out what they were saying, and we didn’t want them to catch us listening to their conversation so we decided to go back to sleep.     Maybe they’ll eventually tell us what was going on with them.     The next morning I woke up and headed outside to do my normal routine. Madison helped Mom make breakfast as usual. After a while, Dad and I went in and sat down to enjoy the meal.    I could sense the tension between them. Did it have anything to do with what happened last night?     Not wanting to think too much, I pushed the thought away.    “So girls, we’re going for a horse ride to the fields so you can see how we gather the cattle, what do you think?” Dad asked, and it all sounded like music to my ears.    “Yay! We get to go watch you guys for the first time!” I said, excited while looking at Madison who had a frown on her face.    “What’s wrong, sweet pea?” Dad asked her. That had always been his cute pet name for her. He would call me little freckles as I had quite a bunch of them on my cheeks and my nose.     “Nothing, Dad. But, could I stay here with mom? I’m not feeling like riding the horses today,” she replied, giving him a sheepish smile.     “Aw, come on Madison. It will be fun, please?” I pleaded, pressing my hands against each other while I pouted.    “That’s okay, Morgan. Don’t force her. She’ll ride them when she feels like it,” Mom mentioned.    I left the kitchen to get ready, really upset at her. I know I sounded selfish, but they were the only times I got to hang out with my sister. Our differences sometimes could be quite annoying, so I decided to put my riding boots on and head out with my dad.     When we were getting the horses ready. I saw Madison come through the barn door.    “Okay, I’ll go with you guys,” she said.     I hugged her, excited to spend some time with her doing my favorite thing. We got the horses set up and headed our way to the cattle pastures.     It was time for us to have fun.  ~~~~~~ MADISON    I saw my sister get upset about me not wanting to go and ride the horses. I always thought that was for people who really liked adventures and being active and fun.     I was none of that. All I liked to do was stay home and read a good book. That’s where my adventures were. I sighed and looked out the window at Dad and Morgan.     Deciding to get my riding boots on, I ran to the stables. My sister was really happy to see that I made up my mind. After getting on the horses, we went off to the cattle pastures to see Dad and his friends gather them for the night.     We arrived and the sight was spectacular. I sometimes forget how beautiful my hometown was. Peaceful and quiet landscapes would bring happiness to anyone.     Dad started to get the cattle together. Morgan and I were just watching in awe at them. It was such a great and fun sight to see.    When they had finished, we headed back to the ranch. I was eager to get home so I could continue reading. But one of the dogs accidentally spooked a cow and the whole herd panicked as well, running all over the place.     One of them spooked my horse and it started galloping like crazy. I couldn’t control it and I was scared.     “Help! Somebody!” I yelled at the top of my lungs while the horse kept going.    “I’m coming! Hang on!” I heard Morgan yell from behind. I tried to hold on to it, but all of a sudden it stood on its hind legs and knocked me over to the ground.     A loud thud was heard when I fell from the horse. I felt a lot of pain running down my back. I couldn’t help but scream as Morgan arrived at where I was. Tears ran down my cheeks, the pain unbearable. It was just horrible.    “Madison, are you okay?” she asked, trying to be strong, but I could hear a little fear in her voice.     “No, it hurts! My back hurts! Please help me! Call Dad!” I screamed.    Dad had ordered his friend to help gather the cattle again while he helped me up, trying to be careful not to hurt me more. He knew it was wrong not to call the emergency crew, but he couldn’t wait, or maybe the panic surging through him didn’t let him think straight.    He put me in one of his friend’s trucks and took me to the hospital, while calling my mom to meet him there.