Animal Heart(6)

“Look, have it all. I've got to go anyway.” She shoved it across to him out of disgust and pity, rose from the table and took her untouched cup of coffee to the counter to take out instead.

“Emory bothering you?” the young waitress asked, nodding towards the old man at her table.

“Not any more. I want to take this out, would you mind?” She handed the waitress her cup.

“Sure, I'll pour you a fresh one. It'll keep nice and hot. Double cream again?”

“Yeah, and make it an extra large one and give me two big spoons of sugar, I need it to keep me going for a long time. I'll take a packet of chips as well.” She placed a dollar on the counter in front of her.

“So, where are you off to? Anywhere nice?”

“Heart Mountain. Riding for a few days. Getting away from it all, I hope.”

“Stressful job?” she asked, putting a bucket sized coffee down on the counter in front of her.

“Yeah, I'm a production assistant for a TV advertising company. It's manic. I can't wait to get out there in the natural landscape and unwind.”

“I'd rather lay on a beach myself, with a margarita and a good book.”

“Oh no, I can't stand all that airport crap and then lazing around feeling hot, covered in sand, and bored witless. Besides I burn easily. With my coloring I never tan.” She pointed to her long auburn hair.

“Try SPF 60, a big umbrella, and your iPod.” She smiled warmly, revealing a diamond tooth gem.

“Believe me I've done all that often enough before. My friends are really into that. But I like the wilderness. It calls to me. Brings me inner peace.” Her eyes glazed as her mind wandered off along a beautiful trail, the sun shafting through the trees, and a gorgeous white stallion carrying her along as the breeze gently stirred his fine mane and tail. She reluctantly shook herself out of her over the top daydream, gave the friendly waitress a generous tip, and waved goodbye to the crafty old bastard who'd just polished off her treat. He winked and waved back, his whiskers covered in cream cheese. She laughed out loud as she opened the door and walked back to her car, with her super giant coffee and potato chips.



She sat in the car on the garage forecourt, after filling up her white VW Golf with gas. She tilted the vanity mirror down and gave her wind whipped hair a quick brush, added a slick of lip gloss and a quick spritz of perfume to get rid of the gasoline aroma that had followed her inside the car. She looked at herself for a few seconds. People told her she looked like Avril Lavigne, the singer-songwriter, and having examined and compared herself with pictures of her at length, she had to immodestly agree with that opinion. She had her bright blue eyes and her pouty, sulky mouth. They were very similar in build as well. But although Madison's hair was dead straight too, it was a very different color to Avril's. It hung in a deep red glossy curtain around her face. She loved her hair now. But in the past she had hated it. Being disparagingly called 'ginger' and various other rude and uncomplimentary things made her feel second class when she was a young teen at school. But now she felt special. Blessed even. Men seemed to like it. In fact she attracted them like bees to a flower.

She flipped the mirror back up and got her phone out. After sending her parents, older sister Carly, and Jade a 'goodbye for now' text, as she would be out of signal reach soon, she pressed on with her journey. She joined the Trans Canadian Highway, left her home city of Calgary behind, and headed west towards her destination. She'd never been to the Heart Mountain Ranch before, and she was looking forward to it. She'd never been on vacation on her own before either. She hadn't planned it that way, but her friend Jade had broken both her wrist and ankle a few days ago when she'd fallen over blind drunk. It had to happen one day. Thankfully she was feeling okay, but obviously not up for a horse-riding escape at the moment.

She'd initially thought about cancelling or rescheduling if possible, and then changed her mind. Jade was so full on, with everything she did. She wanted to ride all day until saddle sore took on a whole new meaning. Then get trashed every night and she constantly and shamelessly hit on men of any age wherever she went. She was hard to keep up with.

Madison has suddenly seen Jade's broken limbs as a sign. A way to indulge herself in a manner she liked for a change, at a much slower pace. Hangover free. She might even get a chance to chat up a man or two herself, in her own sweet way, without blonde bombshell Jade forcing herself to the front of the line.

Men were at the top of her list of must do's. Although she had dated many, so far she'd not met one she wanted to be with for very long. It'd be nice if she found someone who liked the same things as she did. Someone who wasn't obsessed with their appearance, football or baseball, or having the best looking or most expensive car. She wanted someone with fire and passion in their veins. Someone who loved the great outdoors, the tranquillity of isolation, and the beauty of nature. Someone really hot and wild inside.