The Sting..........

  Part 1

After some limited discussion about Aana, I made my way once again back to the house to rest. Although there had been that shift in my friends perception of the circumstances on my farm, I hadn't realize it or its significance and I doubt she saw it either.

Too sick to be doing more than trying to survive, I was only dealing with the face value of things. Looking for inconsistencies, unlikely shifts in perception,  motivations, etc were beyond my capabilities. I wanted to sleep.......for about a month. As much as I was grateful for the help grooming horses on that day, what I wanted at this point was for everyone to be gone. I needed sleep as much as I needed to breathe.

I don't know how much time passed before they finished up at the barns. What I remember is talking with my friend with that woman beside her on my front porch. Her mother and husband left taking the car she had driven leaving her behind with the truck and horse trailer.

The woman asked me where was the best place for us to talk and my friend asked if she should go or stay. Still not fathoming what was coming, I could see no reason to have my friend leave.

In hindsight I wonder if things might have turned out differently had I made the opposite call. I did allow my friend's presence to influence me in what was to come not realizing her perception was now tainted by this master manipulator she thought was her friend.

I invited both women into my house. My living room is not very big and my furniture is not great  so I positioned myself with the most comfortable pieces of furniture  available for my guests. As I recall this woman choose a foot stool which I thought was an odd choice at the time. My friend sat in the chair nearest her.

Looking back I realize the ottoman was chosen to align her with my friend.  It was the two of them opposite me. A small thing to notice unless you are trying to intimidate someone or present yourself in a position of authority or needing to send the impression of a united front. What I know about that choice is their position in the room is etched in my memory right along with her message that day.

When she began the conversation stating she was my friend and she only wanted what was best for me, maybe I should have realized I was about to be screwed but I didn't. The conversation that followed caught me totally off guard.

She went on to say she understood how important my horses were to me and how she knew I would never intentionally cause them any harm. Then she proceeded to the state of my health. From there it was all downhill.

She had painted herself as a kind, caring woman who only had my best interests at heart. Then she painted me as the woman who was too sick to know what was good for my family or my horses.

Dave and Lindsay could not be trusted because they are not horse people. They want to help but they just don't know what good horse care is.

This was all accomplished with a concerned voice and thoughtful demeanor. The times I speak she kept up her charade of friendliness working hard to convince me and assure my friend she only had my best interests at heart.

 Can you guess where it went from there?

To be continued.....

The Bombshell.............