Night of Celebrations

To Sam! Jake said raising his glass of golden champagne.

No, I said with a laugh. To Zazzy! I clang my glass with mine and Sandra's glass joined ours in a second.

Everyone was in a good mood, even Sandra who was normally giving everyone a death glare.

Well, everyone but one person.

Ipo grumbled in her seat about how stupid Jake was and how she could handle one glass of champagne and they so wouldn't get caught. It's not like the cops are gonna come bursting in, she complained.

I stood up and told Sandra that I was going to go visit Zazzy in the stalls. She nodded and watched Ipo and Jake with amusement.

Yea, but you're still seventeen and underaged. And as your older friend-person thing, I must make sure you follow the law, replied Jake with a smug smile. I had a feeling he was enjoying this. When he took a swing of his drink, as if to rub it in her face, I was positive he was enjoying this. Besides, he said after his drink. You're probably a light weight.

You're only twenty! You're underaged too! I heard Ipo cracked a knuckle. I'll show you light weight!

I left, chuckling at the duo. I couldn't tell if they would be a cuter couple, or cuter brother and sister- nor could I ever tell how they even saw each other!

Either way, the thought left my head when I heard a familiar nicker echoing down the corridor. A grin came upon my lips as I spotted the head of Zazzy and his quivering nose poking curiously out of his stall.

Hey buddy, I cooed as I quickened my pace and quickly came to a halt at the door of his stall. I rubbed between his eyes with my free hand. Tired bud? I asked, though I expected no response. It's hard being known now, huh? I said with a small laugh.

Since his race, the press has been hounding at his stall, trying to get a picture of the horse that may win the Triple Crown. I set up a barrier so no one could touch him and had Ipo, Jake, and Sandra take turns guarding the rope barriers. (I would, but let's face it, I ain't much of a body guard.)

Zazzy had no clue how to deal with it. At first he hid in the back of his stall, then he would venture out and poke his head out of his stall and look at the people, probably hoping for a familiar face, before he went back to the back of his stall, his tail to the door.

Eventually, I shooed the media and reporters away. Soon after Zaz grew much more comfortable and even dozed. That's when we decided to start our own little party. Sandra went out and bought some champagne while Ipo and Jake went to get a cake- which they "lost" on the way here (course they were snickering and high fiving the whole time)- while I took a nap.

I took a sip from my glass and Zazzy watched me with round, innocent eyes. What? I said, pulling the drink away from my lips. He looked at me, then at the glass with one last sip of champagne left inside. He reached out and sniffed at the frizzing liquid then reached out and lipped at it gently.

I laughed. You wanna try some, I take it? I asked as I poured the remains of my champagne into my cupped hand. Any sane non-horse person would probably call this a waste, but Zazzy deserved this. He was after all, the one who won the race. I was just along for the ride.

Zaz hesitated for a moment, his ash-gray lips twitching as he sniffed the liquid then he licked my hand. He paused for a moment, as if to taste the champagne. Soon though, he was back to licking the rest of the champagne off my hand.

I just grinned and rubbed him between the eyes with my free hand (I held the glass now between my ribs and arm.) Zaz closed his eyes and continued to lick my hand, though I was sure that there wasn't any taste of the champagne left in my palm.

Hey Sam! Jake called down the aisle. Zaz froze, looked up at Jake before slipped back into the stall. Up for a game of poker? Ipo made a bet that she can beat us all.

... But she's can't see the cards....

What of it?

So how will she know what cards she has?

... You know, I never really thought about it... Eh, let's not question this and just play! With that, Jake was back into the lounge, probably setting up the game and waiting for me.

I just laughed and reached out into Zazzy's stall and rubbed down his nose. Get some sleep, bud. We still have the Preakness and the Belmont to worry about. With that, I left to try and figure out how blind Ipo could play cards.