Free Flesh and Bone by William Alton Page B

saddle and stare out the barn door to the pasture there. We won’t be going to the woods today. No, today we’ll just ride around the barnyard. I need to develop my seat before charging in amongst the trees.
    Bekah leads the animal out of the barn by its bridle and I hold tight to its back with my knees and thighs.
    â€œRelax,” she says. “Winnie’s a gentle ride.”
    We walk in circles and I get more comfortable. The saddle rubs the inside of my thigh and after an hour, the muscles in my ass and legs are worn to nothing. My knees shake, but I say nothing, not wanting to wimp out too soon.
    â€œYou done?” Bekah asks.
    â€œAll done.”
    Bekah leads us back to the barn. Hay and horseshit, dust and hair stink the place up. Getting off the horse is harder than getting on. My legs won’t hold me and I can’t just slide to the ground without falling on my face.
    â€œHere,” Bekah says. “I’ll catch you.”
    Her hands slide up my thigh, my belly and ribs to my armpits. She laughs when I wobble and stumble. There’s a bench by the door and I sink onto it gratefully.
    â€œNot bad,” Bekah says.
    â€œI feel like water.”
    â€œRiding’s harder than it looks,” she says.
    â€œNo shit.”
    â€œNext time we’ll let you have the reins.”
    â€œI don’t know.”
    â€œDon’t be afraid,” she says. “I’ll always be there when you fall.”
    For some reason, I believe her. She’ll always be ready to catch me no matter how far I’ve dropped.

Consequences
    L UNCH . W E ALL stand in the Pit passing a bottle of schnapps around.
    â€œBack home,” Mina says. “We have real schnapps.”
    â€œIt’s free,” Richie says. “Quit your bitching.”
    I light a cigarette and it tastes of toothpaste. Renee rolls a joint. It smells both thick and sweet.
    â€œLet’s go to the movies,” she says.
    â€œWhat about class?” Mina asks.
    â€œFuck class.”
    We get in Ed’s car and we smoke the joint. It disappears fast with all of us toking.
    The theater is across town. The streets are filled with people going places, doing things. Ed runs a light and a cop stops us.
    â€œI smell weed,” the cop says.
    â€œI hit a skunk,” Ed says.
    â€œA skunk?”
    â€œA skunk.”
    â€œYou should be in school,” he says.
    â€œHalf day,” Ed says.
    â€œBullshit.”
    The cop calls our parents and tells them to come get us. We wait on the sidewalk and our parents come one by one. The cop talks to them and they all look unhappy and put out.
    â€œSkipping class?” Mom asks.
    â€œIt sounded good at the time.”
    She drives us home
    â€œI was sleeping,” she says. “I have to work.”
    â€œSorry.”
    â€œJesus,” she says.
    They suspend us for three days. Mom’s pissed.
    â€œThey kick you out of class for not going to class!” she shouts. “Fucking incredible.”
    For three days, I sit around the house. For three days, Grandma eyeballs me. For three days, I wait for the chance to go somewhere.
    â€œDid you learn anything?” Mom asks.
    â€œDon’t get caught.”
    The look on her face says that’s not the answer she wants, but what can I say? I can’t tell her I’ll never skip school again. That would be a lie and I see no reason to dig that hole.

Flirt
    S TANDING ALONE ON the corner. Cars growl past, the street dry, the wind gentle and slightly warm. I light a cigarette and watch the smoke rise, a frayed string. Zephyr walks down the street looking like he’s always been here. I don’t know why I called him, but I wanted to see him. Now that he’s here, though, all I can think about is getting away.
    â€œSorry I’m late,” he says.
    â€œNo worries.”
    My hands itch with the desire to reach out and touch him. I can’t help but look at him. My head