Ranch Life

We found the mare late at night. She couldn't move — she was going into labor.

"We're gonna have to deliver this foal ourselves, Betina," Carlos said.

"But it's already pouring, Mr. Carlos."

We dismounted and started helping the mare. The rain hammered down, blurring our vision. She was struggling hard to push the foal out.

"It's stuck. You'll have to reach in, Betina — your arms are thinner."

So I did. I reached inside the mare, turned the foal around, and pulled it out by its legs. A beautiful little colt — one more I'd helped bring into the world. I was drenched in blood.

"Nice work, girl. You should study to be a vet. You're a natural with animals."

We got to our feet. I carried the foal in my arms and walked beside my big guy while Carlos led the mare. We were far from home, soaked to the bone. Once we arrived, we settled the mare and her foal in a stall and fed them both.

Mr. Carlos ruffled my hair and went home to rest. I took a bath and went back to check on the two of them.

"You two are beautiful. Good night."

I turned off all the stable lights and watched a class on my phone. Fell asleep again. Woke up to a video ad blaring. Brushed my teeth. It was still pitch dark outside.

I lit the little stove I'd built and boiled some water, made my first cup of coffee, and cooked two eggs. I sat down and ate, sipping the coffee. Mr. Carlos arrived and sat with me. He'd brought bread again and some groceries too.

"You don't have to, Mr. Carlos."

"Yes I do. You're getting thinner every day."

I thanked him. Once the sun came up, we went to check on the mare.

"Think he'll look like his mother?" I asked.

"Probably. Come on, let's go round up the cattle."

I was saddling my horse when my dad walked in with Rosalina and Isabel.

"Betina," my dad said.

"Hi. Good morning."

"How are you?"

"Skin and bones," Carlos cut in. "She's been sleeping in this stable for years. That's how she is. You should be ashamed of yourself, Manoel. What happened to you?"

"I'm fine, Mr. Carlos. Please," I said.

Carlos raised his hand in frustration and left. Isabel shot him a dirty look.

"Do you need anything?" my dad asked.

Before I could answer, Isabel interrupted.

"I heard a horse was born," she said.

"Yes. It's in the stall. Excuse me."

I caught the sadness in my dad's eyes, but he didn't have the guts to stand up to Isabel. He was probably afraid of being alone for the rest of his life.

I left them there and followed Carlos. We rode deep into the ranch until we stopped at a creek.

"I'm sorry," Carlos said.

Carlos — ranch foreman

"I'm not complaining, Mr. Carlos."

"You're his daughter. Manoel treats you like garbage. Why don't you come live with us?"

"I already told you I can't. Thank you for the offer, Mr. Carlos, but my place is here."

Mr. Carlos hugged me. I thought of him as a father.

"My wife and I never had kids. We care about you a lot, girl."

"I know. I love you both. You're the family that gives me the most love."

We sat watching the beautiful view from the creek, then rode off after the cattle.

Feeling the wind on my face and the smell of the open fields — that was everything I loved most. I felt like a free spirit. My big guy carried me to all the right places. He followed my every command.

I never had to hit the horse. He followed me everywhere. When I dismounted to check on the cattle, he stayed right beside me. Living here was wonderful, despite everything.

We drove all the cattle into the corral. It was vaccination day, and I loved watching the three veterinarians work — vaccinating and examining the animals. Something about it pulled me in.

"You like this, don't you?" one of the vets said.

"Yeah. Mr. Carlos thinks I should study this."

"And you'd be great at it. You've got the instinct. Here — take my card."

I took it and watched her work. How could I study to be a vet when I hadn't even finished fourth grade and could barely read or write? I'd probably be old by the time I caught up.

That night I went back to the stable and checked on the mare. I spent some time with them. As I stood up, I spotted my dad setting a plate of food and juice on the little table next to my bed.

"Dad! You scared me."

"Didn't mean to. Sorry."

"Are you okay, sir?"

"I should be asking you that."

I stepped closer.

"I love you, Dad."

My eyes filled with tears.

"I need to go inside. Isabel doesn't know I'm out here. The owners are coming this weekend."

"Okay."

He left. I wiped my tears. I didn't touch the food. I took a bath, then carried the plate back to the house exactly as he'd left it. I set it on the table and slipped out quietly. I headed to the ranch house.

It was huge, so it needed a full cleaning. I grabbed the supplies and went upstairs. Cleaned everything. By the time I was done, it was dawn. I left it all and went back to the stable, had my coffee. Carlos gave me a look.

"Where were you? You didn't sleep."

"I was cleaning the owners' house. They're coming this weekend."

"My God, Betina, look at the state of you. Go sleep."

"No. I'll help. We need to move the cattle to the other side, Mr. Carlos."

"You're staying, Betina. Rest."

I didn't argue. I was exhausted. He left, and I lay down for a bit but couldn't sleep. I got up and went back to the house to finish.

The whole downstairs was spotless. I sprayed that rich-people scent through the house and locked up. Still had the outside to do. I washed the entire veranda.

"Good morning, girl," the gardener said.

"Good morning, Mr. Jose. If you trim some roses, could you set a few aside for me?"

"Of course. The owners really need to hire someone to clean this place. It's way too big."

"It is. But I think they're going through something."

"Word is their son was in an accident."

"They have a son? He's never been here."

"Rich people, sweetheart. They like the big city."

"True."

Mr. Jose kept working, and I went to the kitchen. I thawed the meat in the microwave and seasoned it all, divided it into containers to make cooking easier. Since I'd be the one making lunch and dinner when they were here, I had to be fast. When they visited, I did nothing but serve the house.

My usual farm-girl outfit got swapped for a maid's uniform. I finished, and when I checked the clock, it was already night. I locked everything up.

"Here, sweetheart. Good night." Jose handed me a gorgeous bouquet of roses.

I said good night and went to the stable. I put the flowers in a bucket by my bed and headed for my bath. Threw myself onto the bed. Didn't eat dinner. Couldn't remember if I'd eaten lunch. I was out cold. Didn't wake until five in the morning, when Carlos was leading the mare and foal out of the stall.

"Good morning."

"Morning. I'm taking them to the vet for vaccinations. Want to come?"

"Wait for me."

I threw on some clothes and went. The vet taught me how to give injections. She handed me a kit.

"Your first kit. I'm going to teach you everything, and I want you to study hard."

"Thank you. I will."

The vet asked for my phone and enrolled me in an online school — I didn't even know those existed. For the rest of the day, I paid close attention to everything she taught me.

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