Page 40 of Beneath Pearly Irish Skies
When Jakub asked Megan about Ollie’s school, she told him about how much he loved Jamie, his teacher, and that his favorite subject was science, something Kade already knew. Ollie was always asking for help identifying trees and plants and why an animal would do this or that.
When Megan asked Jakub about his school, the boy grew quiet as they crossed the new bridge Jamie and Liam had helped him build last month.
“I don’t like school, but I’m afraid to tell my mom,” Jakub whispered, his hands tightening on the reins from his distress.
Megan looked over Winston where she was walking on the other side of the boy. He nodded for her to respond.
“Ollie used to be scared to tell me things,” she said, patting his leg. “He used to tell his aunt how he felt, in fact. But you know what? One day he got angry at me, and he told me everything he’d been feeling, and boy, was it a big deal. I’d had no idea he was so unhappy. I asked him to tell me what he was feeling from then on, so neither of us would have to get so upset.”
Jakub bit his lip. “It’s better that no one be upset. I don’t like yelling.”
Loud noises bothered him, and Kade had encouraged him to hum or sing a song when he put his hands over his ears to block them out, including a jet ski by the shore. It had seemed to help.
“No one does,” Kade said, loving this part of his job. “But it’s okay to be upset.”
“Kade and I were just talking about being upset ourselves,” she said, giving him a smile.
“I have something in the shed that might help,” Kade said, prompting Jakub to let out a cheer. “Now, why don’t you tell Winston to turn?”
The boy extended his right rein like Kade had taught him. “I like that he understands me.”
Kade knew the feeling. The unspoken communication between him and horses had been one of his earliest joys. He could look into their eyes and know what they were feeling or what they wanted. His father had the same gift. Kade hoped he would let it lead him to the right match for Legend. Because he understood where Jakub was coming from. He didn’t like that kind of tension either.
When they reached his shed, Kade went into the small room off the tack room and grabbed the item he’d prepared.
Jakub had his arms around Winston’s neck. “I love you, boy!”
Megan put her hand on the boy’s head gently after he leaned forward, communicating he was comfortable with her affection. Kade’s heart soared. How could she not see how good she was with them? By her own account, she’d been bullied as a child. She understood what it was like to feel different. Like the people who came to him.
“Jakub, this is for you,” Kade said, handing him the clear plastic jar. “There’s water and glitter in it. Go on and give it a shake.”
“Wow!” he breathed out as colors danced in the liquid, much like snow in a snow globe.
“When you start to get upset, I want you to shake this and watch the glitter. When it settles, you’re going to feel calmer. Then you try and talk to your mom or anyone else you need to share something with. Let’s give this a try. Okay?”
“Okay.” He launched himself at his legs and hugged him. “I love you, Kade!”
He put his arm around him. “I love you too, Jakub.”
“And I love Megan,” the boy said, running over and giving her a hug as well.
She had tears in her eyes, as she often did in the face of such unconditional love and acceptance. Her arms went around the little boy, but he quickly pulled away to show off the glitter jar. At the car, Kade helped Jakub in and buckled him up. His mother was fighting tears and mouthedThank youto them both before they drove off.
Megan gave an audible sniff, and when Duke appeared at her side, she picked him up and hugged him. “Do you think it would be okay for Jakub to play with Ollie? He really likes to hear about him, and I thought it might be nice for Ollie to meet a new friend of ours.”
He walked over and put an arm around her. “I think that’s a great idea, love. So will his mother.”
“You did beautifully with him. Like you always do. How did you know to make that glitter jar?”
“I read,” he responded. “When I came across the idea, I knew it was going to be helpful.”
“It’s like a jar of dreams, with the colors dancing around,” Megan said, her voice wistful.
He tipped up her chin to look into her eyes. When he saw the longing in them, he knew his answer. He kissed the top of her head and went back into his shed, coming out with one for her.
“For you, love.” He continued to hold her hand as her fingers curled around it. “May all your dreams come true.”
When she wrapped her arms around him and laid her head against his chest, letting him hold her, one more ofhisdreams came true.
