Rodeo

He entered the chute. He had done this many times before, but never had he been so nervous. The bull raged under him. He had a bad feeling, but he couldn't disappoint the crowd. He wrapped the rope tightly around his hand and got ready for what he thought would be the ride of his life. He hoped the bad feeling was just a momentary sensation and not a foreshadowing.

He gave a slight nod of his head, and the gate opened. The bull shot out. The crowd started screaming. This bull was said to be toughest. He tried to count the seconds but it took all of his effort and will power to stay on. He thought he was doing well.

But then he felt himself slipping off. Within a second he could feel himself getting dragged by the bull. He saw the back legs kick out and the sharp hooves headed for him, then everything went black.

*****

Caleb woke up; a fan circled on the ceiling above him. He knew that he was in the hospital; he just couldn't remember why. He looked over and saw his girlfriend Nova.

"Oh my gosh, Caleb!" She raced over to him, and hugged him, but not too tight. Caleb started to get up, it hurt like nothing he has experienced before. It all came rushing back to him.

"Don't get up! That bull came down on you really hard. You should rest." He didn't want to ignore her but he wanted to get out of there. He hated hospitals. He pulled the IV out of his arm, and got up. He went into the bathroom and got changed. He came out to Nova standing in front of the door, arms akimbo.

"One thing: if you're going to leave, please don't ride again until you are better," said Nova

"Deal," responded Caleb. They were able to make it out of the hospital, and to Caleb's 1960 Dodge. They made it out of the parking lot and back to their cabin a couple miles out of town. Caleb had missed the cool, country air and his horse Gambler. The horse came running up and nuzzled him.

"Hey I got some Oreos in here. I figured you were sick of the hospital food," Nova hollered to him.

"Hell Yeah!" Caleb hobbled into the house as fast as he could, plopped down on the couch, and started eating.

*****

A few months later...

Caleb was extremely nervous, he hadn't ridden a bull in a few months and he didn't want to end up back in the hospital. This bull was the same one he gotten thrown off of last time. But he wanted to prove that he could do it.

The bull once again started thrashing under him. Caleb took a deep breath, looked up, gave a firm nod. He threw his arm into the air as the bull came out of the chute.

Caleb tried to remain calm. The bull reared and snorted; pivoted left, then circled around to the right. He was doing his best to throw Caleb off.

The buzzer went off at eight seconds. Caleb dove off, hurrying out of the ring before with the bull on his heels.

The eight had felt like an eternity. But the win was the best feeling he had ever had. The fact that he had gotten the better of the bull this time gave him the confidence boost he needed. He looked around at the crowd, and was pleased with the cheers.

Nova came over. No words were exchanged, just a hug. It was an amazing thing to be back on the circuit. He had finally convinced Nova to try barrel racing so they were entering rodeos together.

Win or lose, they were together. They would happily go back to their house and throw one of those small country parties with beer and barbecue.

And this...this was the life they loved.