Tutus & Cowboy Boots (Part 2) by Casey Peeler

gone yet
and you don’t have to worry about the farm like your dad had to
worry about his pa’s farm. Cadence behaved the way she needed to
cope. I’m sorry that you found me, and I know that scared you. I
wish I could erase that image from your mind. You don’t need to
take out your emotions on her. Cadence, quit acting like you don’t
care and get over yourself. I thought we were making progress.”
Barrick and I look at each other. “Cadence, you need to get to
school. Barrick, why don’t you drive her?”
    “I have a car,” I say as I try to
escape.
    “So, let him drive you,” she says and
Barrick stands, knowing that there is no need to argue. I walk from
the room with attitude and grab my bag.
    Barrick
    I know Cadence and I have been acting stupid
but I just can’t let it go for some reason. I know she didn’t see
what I saw, but as Ms. Mae was lying there all I could think of was
how I was going to take care of Cadence and the farm if something
happened to her. When papa died, things were really difficult and I
knew how hard things already were for her. When she just started
laughing, I couldn’t understand how she didn’t see how serious it
could have been. I know I have no right to tell her how to feel and
I need to get over myself. When I see her standing by my truck
waiting on me, I decide now is the time.
    “So you going to get me to school or what?”
she asks with her snarky attitude.
    “Of course, but you could always skip and
help me at the barn instead,” I say with a smile. For some reason,
Cadence skipping school sounds like a fabulous plan even if she
doesn’t talk to me all day. I miss just being near her.
    “Do you know what Gran
would do to us?” she states as she flings open the door and slams
it after she takes a seat. Great! That was
supposed to be a joke to break the ice. Walking to the driver’s side, I take a deep breath and realize
this is stupid. I’ve never acted this way or been judgmental in all
of my life. So, why now? Glancing at Cadence, I know why. She gets under my
skin, drives me freakin’ crazy, but yet, I can’t get enough of
her.
    “What?” she questions as we make our way to
the end of the drive, but I don’t say a word.
    “Where are you going?” she questions when I
turn the opposite way of school.
    “Look, I’ll take you to school, but we need
to talk.”
    “For real? I have a civics test today.” I
can’t help but laugh. “You think that’s funny? You have a
diploma.”
    “You’ll be fine,” I say as I turn down our
road.
    As we approach our spot, I put the truck in
park and turn to face her while she sits there with her arms
crossed like a two-year-old.
    “Cadence, I’m sorry. This is crazy. We
shouldn’t be acting like this.”
    “Oh, so you brought me here to tell me how I
should act again?” she questions.
    “Every time I walk into the barn, I see Ms.
Mae lying on the floor helpless. It’s like I relive that day over
and over. I know I didn’t have a right to tell you how to act but I
was just so worried about you.”
    “Worried about me?”
    “Yes, you’ve had so many changes going on in
your family and I couldn’t imagine what you would do if something
happened to Ms. Mae. I was afraid you’d run again and I’d lose
you.”
    “Barrick, I’m so sorry. I’m sure I looked
like I wasn’t upset, but when I knew she was alive and then saw
Mom’s smile, I knew Gran would fight like hell to get better. I
appreciate you looking after my family and me. And I’m not going
anywhere, yet. ”
    “The past two weeks have been terrible. I’ve
never hated coming to Ms. Mae’s, but knowing that you were mad at
me made it unbearable.”
    “Unbearable, huh?” I see her hard exterior
crumble.
    “Extremely. I didn’t have anyone to pull
pranks on,” I say as she gives me a slight grin. “So are we
good?”
    “Yeah, we’re good,” she says with a
laugh.
    I reach my hand out to hers. She looks down
and smiles as she laces her