Eyes on Iris

1. Small Town, Small Family

IRIS

Walford.

Iris’ mouth arched into a smile when Thunder, the new stallion she was training, neighed while she scratched his withers. He was a grey appaloosa with a black mane and tail. His white socks were beautiful, making him look more unique among the others. As a late yearling, he was trained with the basics by his owner, who helped him develop strong muscles.

When the Thunder was transported under her care, Iris would always make sure to start with lead exercises in the morning. She had always thought that these were very essential so that the horse learns to respect its rider’s personal space and understand when it would be allowed to walk next to him.

“You like that, don’t you?” she said giggling when Thunder lowered his head and tilted it toward her direction so that his nose rubbed her cheek. “It’s a fine morning to do the groundwork, isn’t it?” she continued, rubbing his mane this time.

Thunder responded with a snort.

It was a sunny Saturday morning. As usual, Iris was excited to see the improvement of the horses under her care. She loved her job as a horse trainer. Thanks to her father’s interest in breeding, she started riding horses when she was only seven.

Maybe it was because she was born and raised on a farm that she enjoyed being with nature and animals the most. She thought they were a lot more loyal than people.

For Iris, nothing beats the smell of the wind while riding her stallion, heading to the botanical garden and flower field her great-grandparents had built in the northeast area of their land.

“Water!” screeched a tiny voice.

When Iris looked around, she saw Morgan running in her direction, carrying a large water bottle. Her long and wavy chestnut brown hair was blown by the wind, exposing her reddened cheeks under the sun.

“Careful!” Iris called back when Morgan almost tripped in her little boots.

Morgan was her four-year-old daughter. She was a beautiful ball of sunshine – bright and cheerful. After going through all the bullsh*t in her failed marriage, this little girl was Iris' source of happiness. Her d*ck of an ex did not want to do anything with them.

So, even though it saddened her whenever the child would ask about her father, Iris remained steadfast in her decision to completely cut ties with the irresponsible man.

Nonetheless, Iris swore she would do everything to give all the love in the world for Morgan to enjoy life.

“Here!” Morgan tiptoed and handed the container, then quickly took an about-face, looking at Thunder with admiration.

“Can I ride him?” Morgan asked eagerly.

Iris shook her head after chugging the entire liter in half.

“Not yet. He’s still a beginner. I will let you ride him when he’s gotten better.”

Iris stretched to give the bottle back, then gave her daughter a pet on the hair.

Morgan frowned in displeasure.

“Come watch…”

Taking the reins in her hands, Iris walked to Thunder’s left side, leading him to the partner position. They were supposed to complete a few more rounds across the ring before starting the groundwork.

Morgan leaned on the fence of the ring. With sparkling eyes, she cradled her small pretty face and intently observed the movements. She enjoyed learning about what her mother does as a horse trainer.

This was part of their daily routine and Iris found it fun and fulfilling teaching her daughter about her job to satiate the curiosity of the moony-eyed girl.

“Look at his ears,” Iris started, pointing at Thunder.

“They’re alert, perked, and slightly forward.”

“Meaning?”

“He’s excited. He wants me to ride him.” Morgan giggled. “Come on Mommy, can I? He’s so beautiful! Please!”

Iris shrugged off Morgan’s pleading voice but stopped walking, and so did Thunder. He was pawing on the ground while chewing and pricking his tail and his hair tumbled down in waves.

“So? What do you see now?”

“He’s focused and wants to go on with what he is doing. He’s such a good boy. He loves training while the others are lazy,” Morgan lamented before drinking from the bottle she was holding.

Iris chuckled. “Horses have their mood swings, too.”

At the corner of her eye, she watched her daughter pouting. She knew how much Morgan loved learning about horses and yearned to ride one. But Iris thought she was still very young to get on a horse. So, they made a promise that when the little girl turned six, she would teach her to ride a pony.

However, Morgan seemed to be getting impatient with each passing day, making her mother a little helpless.

“My god, Morgan! You run faster than a horse!” called a high-pitched, breathless voice.

It was her best friend, Isabella Matthews.

The woman was yelling from the bungalow’s gates that was over thirty meters away from the ring. She was holding out the morning paper to shield her face from the blinding sun rays.

From afar, Iris could not see the expression on Bella’s face. But the exasperation in the latter’s voice told her that Morgan had outrun her again.

Jogging in her sweatpants and running shoes, Bella approached them and stood next to the snickering little girl as she gasped for air. She had poor stamina due to the lack of an active lifestyle and had been complaining about this to Iris, saying that working in an office made her feel like a pig.

Feeling sorry for her friend, Iris invited Bella to come over whenever she wanted so she could have a bit of exercise on the farm, ride horses, and enjoy a change of scenery.

“Stop laughing at me, little girl. That’s not very nice,” Bella snapped.

Morgan rolled her eyes and redirected her attention back to Thunder.

Iris shook her head as she watched the two. They get along very well – like aunt and niece, partners in crime, and best of friends. Sometimes, she’d wonder if Bella was really twenty-three years older than her daughter.

Not saying a word, Iris continued Thunder’s exercise while waiting for Bella to say something. Her best friend trains horses with her as a pastime. Sometimes, she would help to patrol the farm during harvest time, too.

“He’s improving quite fast,” Bella commented, watching Thunder’s swift and accommodating movements. “By the way, your paper is here.”

Bella waved the folded newspaper and eyed Iris inquisitively.

“What?”

“When did Morgan learn to swear?”

Iris raised a brow. “What are you talking about?”

“This daughter of yours just said 'sh*t' while we were still in the house.”

Iris frowned and shot Morgan an admonishing look.

“It could have been worse. I almost slipped on the floor. I just panicked,” reasoned the little girl.

Morgan’s cheeks blushed and the tips of her ears turned a shade redder in remorse. As a smart child with keen observation skills, she would easily acquire things she’d seen or heard. It was a good trait and Iris was proud of her daughter. Yet, this also became one of her concerns because, most of the time, Morgan would pick up the inappropriate ones.

And it made her feel like she was a terrible mother.

“Morgan…” she warned stiffly in a hushed tone. Iris could not find the words to scold the little fella.

Reminding Morgan that swearing was not good was like eating snacks in the afternoon ㅡ it became customary. But the girl would hear workers on the farm utter these words every day. How could a four-year-old not possibly think it was normal?

“It’s just once. Mommy… I promise. I won’t do it again.”

“We’ve already talked about this.”

Morgan nodded, resigned. “I promise.”

“Watch your mouth.”

“I will.”

After two more rounds, Iris freed Thunder from his rein and allowed him to run around the ring. The sound of his enthusiastic gallops on the ground satisfied her. For a trainer, it was always a good sign when a horse kept its interest after exercise.

“Breakfast is ready. I baked some cookies. Let’s get inside before everything turns stone-cold,” Bella urged a few minutes later. She then handed the morning paper and led the way back to the bungalow where Morgan and Iris lived.

“Thanks.”

Iris got out of the ring and scooped Morgan’s small figure into her arms. It was a weekend. So, she had more time on her hands to play with the little girl since she did not have to drive her to kindergarten.

Watching her best friend’s receding figure, Iris couldn’t help but feel powerless. On weekdays, Bella would spend the entire day working in her family’s business. Whenever she had the time, she would come and play with Morgan.

Bella had been there for her during the darkest period of her life. Now that she was finally able to stand on her own, Iris was concerned that her best friend might not be spending enough time on her own.

Iris didn’t want her experiences to etch an ugly perspective on love and marriage to the woman's pursuit of finding happiness and a partner. So, she tried convincing Bella to go on dates, attend parties, and meet new friends to enjoy her singlehood. But the latter turned down all her suggestions, saying that she was a lot happier spending her days on a farm rather than socializing with the narrow-minded people in her circle.

Iris never found the words to refute.

After all, most of the people in a small town like Walford seemed to only enjoy gossiping and discussing the lives of others, which they agreed to be pure nonsense. The ones who could hold a proper conversation were either snobs or away, living in the big city.