Horse Harems
A Story Every Day in 2024 01 Feb 32/366
February. Day 32. It's going to be more difficult to remember what number day I'm on now. Good job I've been numbering them in the subtitles, or I'd be scuppered (JB).
***
I dedicate this story to Thavien Yliaster.
***
"Are you serious?" Hank laughed, incredulously. "I'm taking your mare to a stud farm and I have to ask for Horse Harems?" Hank snorted again. "You've got to be having me on, for sure!" Hank eyed up his partner Charles "Chuck" Stanton for that telltale twinkle in his eye but there was no humour in the gaze that met his.
"Hank," Chuck stated, looking his friend dead in the eye. "Do not go in there and act the clown because Horse, well, he takes no prisoners, you get me?"
Hank thought that this was probably a lot of fuss about nothing.
As if he could read his mind, Chuck said, "And don't think that this is just some exaggerated town talk, Hank."
***
Horse Harems hated Johnny Cash. His "A Boy Named Sue" had been the inspiration for his father calling him "Horse"- to build his character. His father had also found it funny in light of the fact that Horse would inherit his stud business.
Horse was of solid stature, like a Clydesdale among men, so rarely did he have to defend himself from scathing personal attack. His appearance was usually enough to stop any comments but he'd perfected his threatening glare anyway.
Ladies liked Horse too, the origin of his name intriguing and his tall, broad frame drawing them to him like butterflies to nectar. He hoped he tasted as sweet.
Chuck's statement was what Horse liked to call "Horseshit"- it stank and it made things grow, like rumours. Horse hadn't hurt anyone in his life.
People had an idea of him and he did not disabuse them of it. He was shrewd and astute behind his mask, the mask given to him the day his father chose his first name.
Despite the ladies, he was lonely. Sometimes he wished for more.
Camaraderie. He was an affable sort by nature. He'd had to learn to be otherwise.
The guy with the mare, Hank. Deep laughter lines; quick wit. Horse liked him and he could handle a mare. But Hank was skittish, giving Horse the old side-eye, trying to get a read on him.
And Horse never let that mask slip for anyone.
***
366 words
As per my dedication at the beginning, you have Thavien Yliaster to thank for this offering, the idea for it springing from a comments' thread on my story:
Thavien is a very accomplished writer who writes in many forms but as the comments' thread will prove, he is a master of haiku and he's pretty good with senryu as well, especially when using it to make a point:
You can check out his page here:
And here's a link to stories up until the 28th January:
Thanks for stopping by! If you have read this, please do drop a comment as I love responding to my readers!
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Comments (7)
There's an old movie from 1970, "A Man Called Horse", though he was called Horse because he'd already proven himself tough, rather than to make him tough. Love the story, though I find myself feeling for him in all his loneliness.
Rachel, I love this story and want more parts, please...and the backstory is great!!! I read all the comments that led up to the inspiration...wonderful!
These characters felt very real 😁
This story reminds me about people who wear tall cowboy hats, but have no cattle. Well, in this case, there's cowboy hats, but instead of cattle there's horses. I did find it sorta odd why the word "Harems" was there. Then it dawned on my that "Harems" was the last name of "Horse." What makes that even odder is that Horse's family business is comprised almost entirely of stallions from what I can read, and no mares. Sure, they may have customers come in to breed their mares as they peruse their wares, but I would've expected a last name of "Harems" to be plentiful with mares when it comes to the horse business. Though, when it comes to that business, they've made their living off'a selling "white gold." It's a mine that almost never runs empty. I guess You can say with all of them butterflies approaching Horse too that he's had a few harems for himself. Sadly though, his namesake, broad stature, and silent nature has probably only kept him from having harems and not a true keeper, let alone missing any comradery with other fella's. As much as we all understand that Horse is having those ladies "Save a horse, ride a cowboy" it's a shame that most of 'em won't stick around after the ride. Ain't nothing wrong with a walk, traipse, or simply patrolling the grazing fields. Every time ain't gotta be a time for rollin' in da' hay. As for that white gold business, don't surprise me one bit that those ladies would visit Horse for his services and not for his services. "A boy named Sue" is just the same as Sandy, Leslie, Charlie, etc. etc. All so that the boy will go through life's hard knocks, forced to grow a thick hide. A well known tactic especially done by deadbeat fathers. They're there for the birth, then after that they're practically gone, without a trace left on this earth. At least "Horse" is more masculine than "Sue," in my opinion. Only people that I know are named "Sue" are women. Well, after reading this sounds like You might make another story with some guy in it named "Stud Buck" or a gal named "Doe."
I'm dead in the water until Vocal finds my missing submission from 2 days ago. I'm afraid to submit anything else. I don't want to have to back up everything I'm writing. Are you getting the red banner "Help us improve"when you click submissions on your stories menu?
Intriguing and well written. His name became his mask and his cage. Well done, Rachel!
I couldn't stop reading. Your writing was really well done!