A HORSE WITH NO NAME...by b. Malin

For May, the weather on the Jersey Shore has been like April...with all the Showers and Coolness... Which on the Plus Side, has given us some Beautiful Flowers...But on the Negative Side, I remember Warmer May's...So I'd like to take you back to Florida, and the Lovely town of Del Ray, where I have a story to tell...Was it real? Was it a Fantasy? Or just Imagination gone Wild...I'll let you decide...

Downtown Del Ray goes on for many blocks. It has lots of lovely Restaurant and Shops and Parking is "Free" with many areas to park. Lover Man and I had been there a few times, thanks to neighbors in the "Condo" where we were staying telling us about it. We each had our favorite stores that we like to browse in...So after parking the car, we kissed goodbye, and said that we'd meet by the "Horse".

I took my walk and did a little shopping here and there...I realized as I looked at my watch that the time had flown by. I crossed the street and started walking back to where the "Horse" was, carrying my two bags of small purchases. The "Horse" stood in the entranceway of this Shop that carried all sorts of small "gift" items, as well as the most delicious "Mouthwatering" Ice Creams...You didn't have to be a kid, to love this place.

So there I stood in front of the "Horse" as I waited for Lover Man...there was nobody else there but me. Suddenly from behind me I heard a voice say, "So what did you buy"? I turned around, there was nobody there, but me and the Horse. "Excuse me" I said feeling silly...Are you talking to Me"? I couldn't believe that I was asking the "Horse" this. He cleared his throat, and said, "I don't see anyone else here do you"? I laughed, "ok I get it, there's someone inside you. How cute and clever", I sighed. "Do you mind if i put my packages on your ledge" I said smiling up at the Horse's face. "Nah, that's fine" came the reply. "If you were a kid, I'd say you could sit on my back, lots of parents do that, put the kids on my saddle and take PICTURES...that kinda gets on my nerves". "Oh" I said, like having a conversation with a Horse on a Wednesday afternoon in downtown, Del Ray, was a Normal everyday occurrence. "Isn't it Hot in there and where's the opening, how did you get in there"? I was full of questions. "Oh for God sake, he sighed...just because I'm not flesh and blood, doesn't mean I don't have feelings to express. I thought you'd understand, being a writer and all"...His voice trailed off. "How did you know that"? I said feeling both surprised and shocked. "Because you've been here a few times with "Lover Man" and you've sat at one of the tables, and you've both also stood by me and licked your Ice Cream cones...and you always come on a weekday when it's not crowded...and you both love to talk to Each Other...Most couples don't...I found you both refreshing". Once again he sighed.

"Lover Man will be by soon, we said we'd meet by the Horse, are you going to "Talk" when he comes" I asked quietly. "Mmmm, he replied, I like the guy and all that...what do you think I should do"? "Well, I sighed, I'd like to share you with him...otherwise he's going to think I've gone "Bonkers" when I tell him I've been talking with you". "True, true, he replied, hey, here he comes".

Lover Man comes carrying a small bag which he hands to me. "Honey, I say I've got something Wild to tell you...you're Never going to believe this." He interrupts me, "Wait, open the bag first, I bought you a present" . "Oh honey you didn't have to" I say as I open the bag and unwrap the tissue paper from my gift. It is a "crystal" Unicorn. Which is a Horse with a Horn sticking out from his head. "Oh he's Beautiful" I sigh. As I gently wrap it back up and close the bag. "Now, what did you want to tell me"? Lover Man asks and before I am able to answer, The Horse says to Lover Man, "Hey Man, Nice Gift, good taste. Why don't you two go get your Ice Cream, we can talk later"...I'll be here, I'm the Horse with no name, but my "Friends" call me Fred.