�Sounds like a plan then,� I agreed, almost uneasy of the sound of his voice while speaking those last words. �Let�s get�er done!� We dallied out together to the mile-long stables. I discovered what little I could squeeze out of him about his life while he attempted to assist me saddling the horses.
�They are beautiful!� Joe exclaimed.
�Yea, buddy. They should be, seeing they cost my mamma here an arm and a leg.�
�I mean it, Diane! These horses should be running so freely in heaven.�
�What chu mean, boy?� I questioned.
�Well,� he attempted, �heaven only allows things beautiful and pure�� Silence.
�Mind if I ask you a person question, Joe?� I asked.
�Go ahead,� he answered.
�Why ain�t you at school?�
�Well,� he started, �I have other activities going on during the day right now.�
�Like what, lil� Joe?� I pressured him.
�I don�t usually tell people this, but I have�� He closed his eyes and folded over his curled eyelashes. When his green eyes erupted like the sea and suddenly popped open, I saw a tear constructing inside.
�You got what?� I calmly asked.
�Cancer.� He spoke in such a whisper I had to strain to hear his voice. And without another word, we rode into radiant red and yellow sunset. The Kansas fields were like a path. What they could lead us to, I never thought I would know. After about four hours of quiet riding, we reached my farm.
�Thank you for letting me have an opportunity to ride such a beautiful creature,� managed Joe.
�Ain�t no problem. This ol� paint could be getting ya anywhere.�
�Do you think we could hang out again?� Joe questioned.
�Anytime,� I answered.
�Really?� he asked. �No offense, but when people find out about my problem, they kind of stay away from me. It�s like they believe just hanging out with me could infect them. Sometimes I just don�t understand how people could be so cold-hearted. But not you!�
�That don�t faze me,� I responded.
�You�re awesome. So I�ll see you tomorrow, Diane?�
�That�s a big 10-4, lil� Joe.�
�Bye then,� Joe remarked.
Without another word, he was gone. Relaxing a bit on my bed, I fell asleep. Ring! Ring! Ring! I grasped the phone with dead fingers. My face drained a ghostly white while my hands clinched up into fists. The voice on the other end was telling me Joe was in the hospital. Not wanting to accept this, I burst out with anger and sobs.
�Diane! Diane! Wake up! It�s going to be okay,� Joe shook me.
�Joe?� I asked, opening my eyes.
�It�s okay, Diane. It was only a nightmare.�
�O Buddy!� I exclaimed. I grabbed Joe into my arms and gave him the longest bear hug.
�Diane,� Joe began, �can you not squeeze so hard? I love you too but ease up on the steroids, girl.� We both chuckled.
�You�re different, Joe. You�re awesome! You ain�t caused me no troubles yet. I thought y�all had left already.�
�Well, you see, Diane, I talked to my father in the car about our day together when I heard you screaming.�
�I got me some lungs, huh?� I giggled.
�You sure do,� he agreed.
�See ya in the morning, Joe.�
�Goodbye Diane.�
Hours passed. I still had not spoken to my mother since she arrived home from work. I hated the fact I may have to admit she was right, AGAIN!
