Determined to do everything she can to help her friend, Kitten drags herself out of bed, ignores her own pain, and decides to visit him every day.

Scene 05: Kitten Rises to the Occasion on Sunday Morning

When morning came, Karen slept late. Though the sunlight coming through the window hurt her eyes, she forced them open. She was not in the mood to get out of bed on a Sunday morning, not this Sunday. She wanted to sleep all day. She forced herself because she had to. She had to be strong to help Pegasus. He had come alive to guide her and to help her find her inner strength. She could not let him down. Even though she wanted to hide from the hurt and pain, her grieving thoughts drove her ahead.

She hobbled to her dresser and rummaged for clean clothes. Looking up, she stared at her own face. The mirror reflected how she felt. She was not her usual bouncy self. Her eyes were swollen, and she wished she had some of Mama’s makeup to hide the blemishes under the sockets. She looked like a very old tween. She had to look good for herself and be presentable to go outside. She had to take pride in the way she looked and felt about herself. She had to be there for her horse.

Who else will be there for him, if I’m not? If I’m not there, today, then when will I be?

Karen vowed to visit the demolished carousel as often as she could before its wreckage was hauled away, and before the horses were taken away or destroyed. Since it was closed, she would visit every day. She could not let Pegasus down. Her heart was breaking, and her new-found confidence badly shaken. Pegasus was Karen’s greatest hope. She did not equivocate. Within minutes, she finished getting ready.

©2021, Karen Lynn-Chlup. All rights reserved.