Mickey and the Plow Horse

By Edward A. Dreyfus

Mickey is a 12-year old self-proclaimed nerd who spends his time alone with his iPod, iPad, and countless video games. His ongoing struggle with asthma renders him unable to participate in the rough and tumble activities kids his age enjoy, including sports, but that doesn't stop his parents from sending him off to camp for the summer. There he meets Jackson, a lonely and beaten down plow horse. The moment Mickey touches Jackson something magical happens; he discovers that he and the plow horse share a gift that will change their lives forever.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Edward A. Dreyfus
• Release date: Nov 29, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311936196

Edward A. Dreyfus

At the young age of 75 I decided to turn my full-time attention to writing. I had already written five nonfiction psychological books, but figured I could reach a lot more people by writing psychological fiction. I have now completed seven novels. Each one delivers a psychological message about the human condition framed in various genres: thriller, mystery, drama, to name a few. Each book represents a composite of people whom I have met in my practice as a psychotherapist and tells their story in a manner that I hope will cause the reader to reflect on his or her own life. The stories are fiction, but many of the characters are real and the issues they face are challenging.I was born and raised in New York City where I attended grade school, high school and college. I received my doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Kansas in 1964. I was in independent practice for 55 years before retiring and am now a full-time writer. I live in Los Angeles with my wife and two dogs.

Book preview

MICKEY AND THE PLOW HORSE

A Magical Story of Connection and Change

Edward A. Dreyfus

All of the characters in this book are fictional;

any resemblance to people, living or dead,

is purely coincidental.

Copyright © 2014 Edward A. Dreyfus

All rights reserved.

DEDICATION

The book is dedicated to all people, young and old,

who live their lives feeling separated from others, misfits in their own life, doing their job each day the same as the day before, seldom experiencing a sense of passion and the freedom to be fully themselves.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

A big thank you to my wife Barbara, my sons David and Ron, and my daughter Lydia, for their love, support and encouragement as I transition to fiction writing in my eighth decade of life. I thank Rita Lorraine Hubbard – editor extraordinaire – who taught me so much as she went through my sloppy prose. A big shout out to Kathleen Keithley for her help with dialogue and to Dawn Maurer for her editorial comments. Special thanks to my grandchildren: Kailey, Gregory, Jeffrey, Britney and Lindsay and my nephews, Josh, Ben, Michael and Jack, who helped me understand the teenage world and inspired several of the characters in this book.

1

MICKEY BRANFIELD was short for his age; a skinny, 12-year old kid who suffered from asthma and used an inhaler regularly. He did not like to tumble and fight with the other boys and, because of his asthma, he could not participate in organized sports. He played video games, knew a ton about computers, and preferred to read. In fact, he often disappeared for hours at a time, curled up in a chair or under a tree with his favorite book while other kids played baseball or soccer.

He had few friends, other than those he conjured up while dreaming about the characters in his books or imagining himself as one of the action heroes in his video games. He didn’t mind being alone so much and felt quite comfortable with his books, his iPad and iPod, and his computer. When school was in session, he was one of the smartest kids in the class; a whiz kid, the adults called him. But during the summer, which it now was, he spent most of his time reading, listening to music, and playing video games. The kids called him a nerd.

Super smart, skinny, shy, short, and asthmatic –-  Rectangle not a great combination for social success. So he spent his time alone wrapped in fantasy, where he slayed dragons.

One day, shortly after school ended for the summer, his parents, Donna and John Branfield approached Mickey while he was curled up on the couch, iPad in hand, ear-buds firmly placed, reading one of his books and listening to his favorite tunes.

Mickey? his mother said softly so as not to startle him.

Mickey didn’t respond. He was too engrossed in his story.

Mrs. Branfield reached out and ruffled his hair, Mickey, you don’t just read a book, you become part of it, don’t you?

Mickey smiled, but didn’t look up. Yeah, and I was just about to slay a dragon before I was so rudely interrupted.

His Mom laughed nervously saying, Your dad and I have been talking −

Mickey looked up from his iPad. Uh-oh, that always spells trouble for me!

Don’t be silly. Your dad and I, uh, we thought it would a good idea for you to go to summer camp this year, said his Mom. Your dad and I are worried about you, Mickey. You spend all your time on your computer, or listening to music and reading. You have no friends, no hanging out with kids, no nothing. It is not good for you. We have decided to send you to summer camp; a farm, where you will get to be with other children your own age. You'll have a great time.

Mickey stuck his nose back in his iPad. Not interested, he said with a dismissive tone.

His mother persisted. We already enrolled you, honey.

Mickey’s face turned beet red. What? You've got to be kidding. Seriously? You had no right to do that without checking with me first! You don’t know what my plans are for this summer!

Mickey’s dad walked into the room. We're not kidding, Mick. Camp is a great opportunity for you to get out in the world, meet other kids, and learn some new stuff. I hear they even have a computer lab there. And horses...maybe you'll learn to ride. What are your plans for the summer, son?

Uh, well, uh…I’ve got a ton of books on hold at the library… and, oh yeah, he said with a smirk, I already registered for summer camp.

The summer camp for online dragon slayers doesn’t count, Mickey, replied Mr. Branfield.

Mickey looked defeated. He slumped into the couch as if trying to disappear. His mother put her hand on his arm, her face soft with concern as she tried to explain that she and his father simply wanted him to have more of a life than computers and books.

We want you to have fun outdoors with other children your age. We love you and want the best for you.

Mickey had been sickly practically since birth. His parents, especially his mother, tended to be overprotective. Sending him to camp and letting him out from under their protective umbrella for an entire summer was a big move for them.

Mickey held up his book and said, This is what’s best for me, Mom! He then grabbed his inhaler and took a breath.

Donna, exasperated, looked at her husband for help.

You need to have friends, Mickey, said his father.

I have Clancy, Mickey said, referring to his friend who lives a few houses away from the Branfields. He’s my best friend.

You and Clancy sitting in a room together playing video games for hours without exchanging a word isn’t exactly what I would call a friendship, replied Mr. Branfield.

We have the kind of friendship where we don’t always have to be talking, Mickey said with a smirk.

His father shook his head and said Clancy kind of creeps me out with that cape he wears. Does he wear white powder or something on his face?

Mickey gave his father a disapproving look. He then pleaded, Dad, I really don’t want to go. Please don’t make me go!

His father put his arm around his son and gave him a squeeze. This camp looks beautiful. It is a big farm; they have all sorts of activities not available around here. You’ll love it, Mick, just give it a chance.

Mickey looked from his mother to his father with tears in his eyes, Please… don’t make me go!

His father’s eyes were soft as he said, What about this: you go for two weeks. Give it a good try and −

Mrs. Branfield interrupted him. −John, he is signed up for the summer.

I know, Mr. Branfield said to his wife. Then he turned to his son. But Mickey, if you really don’t like it after two weeks, we’ll come and get you.

Mickey slammed his book down on the floor, Two weeks is an eternity!

You decide, Mickey: ten weeks with no out or a two-week trial, replied his father.

Mickey could see that his parents were not going to budge. He alternated between tears and anger. How about one week?

Two weeks or no deal, replied his dad with finality.

OK, fine! Two weeks! Mickey grabbed his inhaler and turned to his parents, exclaiming, Make sure you pack a big supply of these! The kids will be fighting over me. They’ll all want to be best friends after they see me in action with this!

Mickey stomped up the stairs to his room and slammed the door. His parents looked at each other and wondered if they were doing the right thing. Having an asthmatic son had not been easy for them and they often felt helpless.

They had consulted Mickey’s pediatrician and other specialists before making the decision to send Mickey to camp, and they had all agreed that sending him to a farm away from the city where the air was cleaner would be a good idea. They also felt it would be good for Mickey to be out from under the protective wings of his parents; it would help him learn how to be more self-sufficient and deal with the world on his own.

The Branfields checked out several camps to find one that was suitable for Mickey. They filled out the necessary documents, medical releases, and permission slips. They had done their homework.

Nevertheless, his mother had reservations. She believed herself to be a loving and caring mother. It never occurred to her that even though it was unintentional, she might have been suffocating her son with love…and her own fears.

Alone in his room, Mickey seethed. Why would his parents do this to him? He had never been away from them and felt as though he was being booted out of his safe haven before he was ready. Reluctantly, Mickey also had to admit to himself that he was scared.

2

A WEEK HAD PASSED since the camp conversation and now the day of reckoning had arrived. This was the dreaded day that Mickey had to leave for camp.

He had prayed that something would come up and his parents would change their minds. Maybe a tornado! He felt like a prisoner on death row waiting for a last minute pardon from the Governor. No such luck. His parents were already packing up the car with his stuff.

They were leaving for the bus depot in downtown Chicago so Mickey picked up his backpack to make sure he had loaded his iPad, iPhone, iPod, Kindle, and all of their assorted charging devices. Then he made his way down the stairs to the car that was waiting to take him off to Camp Hell for Two-Weeks.

Mrs. Branfield eyed Mickey’s backpack. Then she approached him and asked, Did you pack your cell phone? The camp doesn’t allow cell phones.

Mickey looked up at her in wide-eyed disbelief. What! No way! Seriously? They can’t do that!

His mother continued, And no iPads. They get stolen and the camp doesn’t want the responsibility.

Mickey clenched his jaw in silent anger…and panic. What am I supposed to do? All my books are on my iPad! I’m not going! he fumed, then he did something he hadn’t done since kindergarten. He sat on the floor, folded his arms and pouted.

Just then Mr. Branfield came into the room. What’s going on here? he inquired. It’s time to go.

Mrs. Branfield quickly explained the situation.

OK, Mickey, here’s the deal, said Mr. Branfield. "You are going to leave your electronics at

Reviews for Mickey and the Plow Horse

[Robin Friedman · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent book for people of all ages! A highly recommended read.