Love Means No Boundaries - Andrew Grey

reins over it and helped Robbie to where Belle stood patiently waiting.
     
“What do you want me to do?” Robbie stood near the horse.
    Joey took Robbie’s hand and guided it toward the stirrup, letting him feel it, and he guided his hand to the pommel on the saddle. “Hold on there, and I’ll guide your foot into the stirrup, then you stand on that leg, and throw the other one over her back.” Joey tapped Robbie’s leg. “Lift this foot.” He guided it to the stirrup, and he made sure it was inside. “Now lift your body, and I’ll help guide your leg over.” Robbie stood up in the stirrup. “Excellent, now bring your leg up and over.” Joey steadied Robbie’s body as he brought his leg over the horse before settling into the saddle. “You did great.
    How does it feel?”
“Different.”
“I’m sure it does. Let me adjust the stirrups, and then I’ll lead you around the yard. Your body will sway with the movement of the 42 Love Means … NO Boundaries
horse, and I want you to tell me if you feel uncomfortable. I’ll have the reins, so I just want you to have fun.” Robbie suddenly looked concerned. “What if I fall?”
     
“If you feel like you’re going to fall off, stay loose and roll when you feel the ground, but you shouldn’t have a problem.” Taking the reins, Joey patted Belle’s neck. “I’m going to turn the horse, and then we’ll begin walking.” Leading Belle around, he began walking across the farmyard. Cars began pulling into the yard, parents picking up their kids from their lesson, so Joey walked Belle and Robbie around the house. “You doing okay?”
     
“Okay?” Joey looked back and saw an ear-to-ear grin on Robbie’s face. “This is amazing.” Joey watched as Robbie got a pair of sunglasses out of his shirt pocket and slipped them on.
     
“Why the sunglasses?” Joey continued leading them around the yard. It didn’t really matter where they were going. From the look on his face, Robbie was having a spectacular time.
    “My eyes themselves are fine; it’s the nerves that are bad.
Since I can’t see the sun, I could look into it and burn my eyes, which would be painful. So I wear sunglasses to protect them, like everyone else.”
    Joey continued walking. “I never thought of that.” They walked in silence for a while, Robbie holding the pommel. “You can hold her mane if you need to; it won’t hurt her. If you want more stability, grip her with your legs and thighs.” They walked around the yard for an hour, Robbie’s smile remaining in place the entire time. “How long can I ride?” Robbie was loving this; it was plain for anyone to see.
    “We should head in. I don’t want your legs to hurt. Do you think you can get down on your own?”
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“I think so.” Robbie looked thoroughly happy, his smile bright and huge. Joey found himself wondering what those lips would feel like next to his, what they’d taste like.
    Joey stopped the horse on the grass. “Hold onto the pommel and slip your left foot out of the stirrup. Good. Now stand on your right leg and bring your left foot over her back and down to the ground. It’s a ways down, so don’t let go until your foot is on the ground.” Robbie slipped his foot out of the stirrup and stood up, his leg going over the horse. “Excellent, now bend your knee and lower your foot to the ground.” Joey watched every move. “That’s it, a little more. Good, now slip your right foot out of the stirrup, and you’re standing on the ground.”
“What do I do now?”
    “Just step back, and I’ll get Belle in her stall and come back for you.” He took a few steps and stopped. “You looked great on her, like you belonged there.” Actually, Joey thought Robbie would look great anywhere, especially in his bed. Joey walked Belle back to her stall and raced back to Robbie before leading him back to the barn with Robbie smiling and laughing the entire time. Each smile, each chuckle, went right to Joey’s heart, and he knew he’d do a lot to put that smile on Robbie’s face again.
As they entered, a number of majestic heads appeared, and Robbie veered off to the side. “Who’s this?” He pointed to the horse breathing heavily near him.
    “That’s Tiger, Eli’s horse. He’s very friendly, but don’t get too close. He’s a little energetic.” Joey stepped to Robbie, about to guide him away when Tiger thumped his head against Robbie’s chest, and Joey could only watch as Robbie lost