Bitter Heart and Silver Threads Hearing the distant sound of a train whistle, Sam Baxter stood up from picking strawberries.  He gazed toward the silver thread of tracks just beyond the adjoining field. “Do you hear that, Jake?  I love the sound of a train,” said Sam.  “Someday I’m going to have the adventure of a lifetime.  I’m going to take a train trip across the United States and Canada.”  The 14-year old looked over at his black quarter horse and grinned.  “Sorry, Jake, but that’s one trip I’ll have to make without you.” At the sound of his master’s voice, Jake whinnied softly. The long mournful train whistle sounded again.  Shielding his eyes against the hot June sun, Sam could see the black engine coming over the ridge. Ever since he was a small boy, he thrilled at the sight of the Rio Grande and Santa Fe train rumbling through his parents’ farm. I gotta get busy, thought Sam. Mom expects these berries to be picked before Dad gets home. Turning back to the row of berries, his gaze swept the landscape toward the Baxter’s rambling white farm house in the distance.  Something caught his attention.  A small familiar figure in a red sundress was toddling her way down the dirt road two fields over.   “What’s Carrie doing out here, Jake?” muttered Sam, more to himself than to his horse.  “I can’t believe she got that back gate opened. He smacked his dusty hands on his jeans.  “With everyone pampering her like she’s a princess, it looks like someone would have seen her.” Sam didn’t like the angry feelings he had toward his sister since the last year. It isn’t like Carrie is the only deaf child in the world, thought Sam. But Mom and Dad act like she is.  He kicked at the dirt, covering up the top layer of berries in his flat. “They don’t care about anything I’m doing at school or where I am when I’m with my friends,” he mumbled.  “Carrie is all they think about.”  The train whistle blasted again.  Sam looked back at the track and saw the train speeding across the lower pasture toward his little sister. “Carrie!” he yelled, his long, slim body responding to what he saw.  He raced to Jake and, with a leap, his left hand grabbed the horn of the saddle and he swung his leg over the horse.  He grabbed the reins, and yelled, “Go, Jake!”    Alert to the tone of his master’s voice and the touch of the reins on his neck, Jake reacted immediately. The horse’s strong muscled body whirled to the left and charged down the dirt road toward the tracks. “Faster, Jake!” urged Sam, his heart pounding.  Sam heard the rumble of the train.  The bitterness he felt for Carrie changed.  Terror filled his heart that he might be too late to save her.  “Oh Lord, help me reach her in time!” prayed Sam, as he leaned forward in the saddle. He heard his mother calling for him, but didn’t respond. Sam had to keep focused. Carrie still had not seen the fast approaching train and had only a few yards to go before she reached the tracks.  Suddenly, Sam heard the screeching of metal on metal.  The conductor had spotted Carrie, but Sam knew the train would never be able to stop in time.  Jake’s powerful legs churned up the dirt as he charged forward.  The gap closed between them and the little girl.  “Whoa, Jake,” yelled Sam, pulling on the reins, stopping the horse between the girl and the tracks.  His gaze was still on Carrie as he leaped from the saddle and scooped up the surprised toddler.  Holding her tight, Sam closed his eyes and breathed a prayer of thanks to God as the train roared by and the conductor blew the whistle. Carrie’s chubby little arms went around her brother’s neck giving him a hug.  Unaware of the danger she had just escaped, she gave Sam a wet kiss on the cheek and tried to speak. Gently, Sam lifted Carrie up into the saddle and placed her hands over the horn, squeezing to form the fingers around the shape.  Looking up at this sister, Sam’s heart melted as Carrie’s smile lit up her eyes.  Keeping one hand on his little sister, Sam patted his horse’s neck as he watched the train disappear over the hill.  “Thanks, Jake, for your help,” said Sam.  The horse whinnied softly as if he understood. I’ll never look at a train with the same excitement, thought Sam.  I still want to take my trip someday, but there are more important things in life than adventure.  He looked up at Carried and grinned.  And she’s here with me.  Sam took the reins and swung himself up in the saddle behind his sister. “Let’s go home, Carrie.”           ©Barbara Lighthizer 2007