The Journal of Randy McClarence and Ralph O'Malley

18 January 2016

I let Malachi take a short ride around the ranch on Cookie today. He didn’t look no heavier than a full mini barrel o’ beer, and Cookie bein’ a fully-grown horse should be able to carry him fine. That laddie looked so inexperienced, couldn’t even tell the girth and stirrups from his saddle. Me guess is that he never ridden no horse before. So I helped him put the saddle on and mount up and everything. Before I let him go I asked if he’ll be ok ridin’ alone. He looked like he couldn’t hear me right and asked me to repeat me question. So I did. He nodded and said yes and called me Mr. McClarence. I told him to just call me Randy.

I watched as he rode off with Cookie without another word. Cookie looked like she’s havin’ a lot of fun, runnin’ around and carryin’ that boy around. Man, I wish I could be free again like her too, runnin’ around on an open field o’ flowers and not having to carry any burdens on my back. I’d be free soon as this family goes away.

RANDY.