I Need Something To Believe In [Day 4]

[Sam]

I hummed to myself as I sat outside Zazzy's stall. My hands fumbled with with his brush and I picked out his golden hairs. I was utterly bored. Zaz was snoozing in his stall. All my horses have been worked. I've played with Nut until she got annoyed with me and I decided it was best to leave. All the stalls were cleaned, the horses were fed, the grooms working and all the jockeys were working their horses. Nothing for me to do, for once.

I need something... I sang softly, picking at the hair and watching it float off on the breeze. To believe in... I half hummed the lyric. Cause I don't believe in myself...

Zaz shifted in his sleep. I half wondered if he was intrigued in what I was doing. And I'm sick and tired of getting nowhere... I sang a bit louder.

Zazzy shifted again, stretching his legs and groaning a bit. Guess it'll all work out... I sang, yet again a bit louder.

The golden stud grew still and seemed to just be listening. I scooted my chair closer so I could watch him more comfortably. And I don't mind anymore... I hummed. And I don't mind anymore... I sang softly.

Then occurred to me how strange it would seem for me to just be singing randomly. I glanced down the aisle and made sure no one was near by.

I hesitated before slipping in the stall, leaving the stall door open, since Zaz was splayed out and dozing.

When I came to his head, I kneeled down. He lifted his head and looked at me. I quickly sat down and leaned against the stall wall. He laid his head back down, letting it rest heavily on my lap.

My fingers twirled and played with his forelock. And I need someone to put my trust in... I sang softly. Cause I ain't trusting myself... I hummed out the lyric, unsure if it was correct or not.

At this point, I forgot what the lyrics were but I guessed. And I'm so scared of failure... I sang as I braided his forelock. It was uneven and messy. White hairs suck out everywhere. So scared of success... I sang softly.

Guess it'll all work out... I sang out. I hummed the rest of the lyrics as I ran my hands over his closed eyes and down his golden cheek.

Do you always put on a concert when you run out of things to do? Said a new voice. I glanced up to see Ipo, with her little Corgie puppy tight on her heel.

Zaz's eyes snapped open at this new voice and sat up. He glanced at Ipo warily before standing up, at which point, I followed suit.

What are you doing here alone? I asked, trying to blow off the embarrassment to be caught singing to a horse.

I'm not alone, Ipo replied coolly. Zaz shook his golden pelt of the shavings. I patted his shoulder before slipping out of the stall. Jax is with me, Ipo finished as I locked Zaz's stall door.

I raised my brows at the younger girl, but then remembered it did nothing. Where's Jake? I asked.

Working with Ace, she replied.

Does he know you're up here? I asked.

Does he look like my mother? she countered hotly.

I blinked at that and stood back a bit.

I can take care of myself, you know, Ipo muttered, obviously sore about it. I don't always need Jake around to keep watch over me.

You two in a fight or something? I asked as I picked up the discarded brush I was fiddling with earlier.

No, she replied. Just wanted to be up at the stables. It's too hot down by the track. It sounded reasonable and logical, but how on earth could a blind person get around the stables without bumping into something?

So how did you get up here? I asked as brush and placed it in his bucket.

I walked.

I rolled my eyes at this and picked up the grooming bucket and turned to face her. Oh, I was expecting you flew, I replied sarcastically.

She gave a small, good-nature laugh as I walked past her to the tack room to put the groom bucket away. The sun, she replied, following me. I know the sun will be at my back if I'm walking back to the stables. It's a dead shot.

I guess that made sense, but I still didn't feel right about it. I don't think you should be walking around alone though, I told her as I put the bucket down and readjusted a saddle pad in boredom.

Should you be thinking that it's time for the stupid reporters to come by? she said, throwing me off. I'm pretty sure they were suppose to let in an hour ago.. Though, I wouldn't worry. They all probably died of heat stroke by now! Ipo said cheerily as she quickly walked out of the tack room with a good bye wave over her shoulder and with Jax still glued to her heels.

... Whoops.

Why didn't you tell me? I squeaked as I bolted out of the tack room. I skidded into the aisle and dashed to Zazzy's stall.

Just did, Ipo replied from somewhere near Keegan's stall but I didn't stop to check and make sure she was at Keegan's. She should be fine. Ow! Keegan bit me! He never bites!

I stood at Zaz's stall. He looked a little worried about why I was in a rush. That's probably Studly, I called over. I had to move Keegan. He was bugging the mess out of Sparky. Keegan's between Tim and Jelly now. ... I really need to work on my naming skills.

I heard a muffled Thanks! as I grabbed Zaz's halter and quickly slipped inside.

The colt was worried though. I was rarely in a rush and he knew it wasn't like me. He eyed me and backed up, his ears twitching uncertainly.

I sighed. They won't go no where, I muttered to myself as I slowly walked up to Zazzy and as casually as possible, rubbed down his neck. He paused and looked as if he may walk away from me but decided to stay near.

I quickly slipped on the halter and clipped the cheek piece on. Come on, bud. Time for the paparazzi. Zaz's response was a heavy sigh as we walked casually down the aisle.

Once again we went down to the old oak tree, where I told the press to meet for any interviews or pictures (otherwise, tough luck!)

There were quite a few people. Zaz seemed a little unsure of the whole thing but stayed with me and went along with it. Sorry, I said with an apologetic smile. Something came up in the stables, I lied, quite shamelessly might I add.

Before I could finish my sentence, the camera started to click and snap- luckily they were smart enough to remember the warning from last time about flash photography.

Questions filled the air. "Who is your biggest threat?" "How is Confianza doing?" "Do you think the Triple Crown is in sight?" "Why have you been giving Confianza such a long break?" "Why did you bring him here so soon?"

I answered as best I could. Limitless is looking good and seemed quite angry about the whole race's results. Devil changed owners to someone who already has a Triple Crown winner. The two Sarah Star owns are being worked harder then ever, I muttered, half to myself in the end. And that left me with the skittish, tired, broken colt and little time to prepare. And this time, I wouldn't be overlooked.

I shrugged at the second question. I didn't think we would win the Derby, so who knows.

At the next question I rubbed Zazzy's neck. He came off the track very tired. The more rest he gets, the better. He might be able to pull off a win, but not if he's dead tired.

At the next question I simply chuckled and dropped my hand down to Zaz's shoulder. He's more comfortable here. If he's here, he'll rest up faster then he would on at unknown place.

The questions continued to buzz out until my brain began to steam at trying to sort out the questions.

Eventually, I gave up. I offered the press a few drinks in the lounge then took Zaz and headed back for the stall. That was more painful then labor, I muttered. I glanced back at Zaz, who looked bored. This is all your fault you know, I said, but the tone was playful. I reached back and ruffled his forelock. You just had to win, didn't you?

Zazzy gave me an exhausted look. I just chuckled and rubbed his neck. Yea, yea, I know. I slipped the lead rope lazily over my shoulder. I just didn't think the press would be on us like that. I hadn't even gotten this much for the Breeder's Cup or the Stable Face Off.

I reached back and scratched between his eyes. It'll be worth it though, I replied. Eh, bud? The colt only responded by gently pushing me with his muzzle. I laughed and pushed his muzzle away. Alright! Alright! We'll hurry up and get you to your stall. I know, it's almost dinner time and you are simply starving.