The Cousins: A Day at the Races

By Amethyst E. Manual

In this tale, the Thompson Brothers turn their Eldorado Ranch into a beautiful race track so the Cousins can enjoy racing their pet horses. Chris's horse "White Lightning" becomes somewhat of a super star when he beats Secretariat's racing record. When the Mayor and Racing Commissioner of San Angelo, Texas, learns how fast White Lightning can run, they suggest he be entered into the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes, believing he may be the next Triple Crown Winner. However, there is a slight problem. What problem is that you ask? You will have to read this delightful and humorous tale 'A Day At The Races' to find out.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Oct 26, 2015
• ISBN: 9781514401583

Amethyst E. Manual

Amethyst E. Manual FOR THE PAST FIFTEEN YEARS, AMETHYST E. MANUAL, WRITER, AND CELEBRATED ARTIST AND LITHOGRAPHER, WAS HARD AT WORK WRITING A DELIGHTFUL STORY CALLED 'THE COUSINS'. MOTIVATED BY HER DEVOUT FAITH AND GIFT OF WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE, AMETHYST NOW TAKES US ON A MYSTICAL JOURNEY IN HER BOOKS CALLED 'THE COUSINS'. THROUGH THESE WRITINGS AMETHYST CHALLENGES US TO RECONSIDER OUR OWN SPIRITUALITY AND DEVELOPED A BETTER RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR OWN GUARDIAN ANGELS, AS SHE HAS GROWN TO DO SINCE AGE 6 WHEN SHE FIRST HAD CONTACT WITH HER OWN GUARDIAN ANGEL AFTER GETTING LOST AS A CHILD., APPEARING TO HER MANY TIMES THROUGHOUT HER LIFE AND SPEAKING TO HER WHENEVER SHE WAS IN GRAVE DANGER OF LOSING HER LIFE. THEY BECAME THE BEST OF FRIENDS. HE'S HER TEACHER, HER SPIRITUAL ADVISOR, HER BROTHER, HER WARRIOR FROM HEAVEN, HER DEFENDER AND PROTECTOR, BUT MOST ESPECIALLY, HER BEST FRIEND. IT'S BECAUSE OF HER RELATIONSHIP WITH HER GUARDIAN ANGEL THAT SHE DECIDED TO WRITE THESE NOVELS. HER HOPES, THOSE WHO READ THESE STORIES WILL BE ENCOURAGED TO DEVELOP A RELATIONSHIP WITH THEIR OWN GUARDIAN ANGEL. ALTHOUGH 'THE COUSINS; IS A WORK OF FICTION, AMETHYST KNOWS FIRST HAND THAT GUARDIAN ANGELS ARE REAL. THEY DO EXIST IN OUR LIVES. THEY WANT VERY MUCH TO BE YOUR BEST FRIEND TOO. SO MANY ARE EXPERIENCING GREAT DESPAIR, LONELINESS, LIVING IN FEAR, FEELING UNLOVED, LIVING WITHOUT A PURPOSE IN LIFE. YOU HAVE A FRIEND BESIDE YOU 24/7. TURN TO HIM FOR HELP DURING THESE TIMES OF WEAKNESS AND TRIAL. GOD GAVE THEM TO US FOR A REASON, TO HELP US. AND THEY WILL.. THE ANGELS ARE PERFECT HEAVENLY BEINGS, AND WITH A SENSE OF HUMOR AS YOU WILL LEARN WHEN YOU READ 'THE COUSINS'. THESE STORIES WILL WARN YOUR HEART AND TICKLE YOUR FUNNY BONE AND AFTERWARDS YOU AND YOUR ANGELS WILL BECOME BEST FRIENDS FOREVER.

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Copyright © 2015 by Amethyst E. Manual.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 10/20/2015

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Contents

White Lightning In The Lime Light.

The Kidnap Deception

The Ghost of Cheschuwha

Great Grandpa Diego

March 8th, 2005 The Cousins and their day guards were out for a horseback ride at the Eldorado Ranch. Ike, I felt a drop of rain? There’s no clouds, where did rain come from? Michael asked as he looked up.

It’s bird pee! David said calmly. Everyone but Michael laughed. Michael took his water canteen and poured it on his head. It suddenly started to pour. Everyone stopped laughing.

They were soaked to the skin as they began to ride their horses back to the Williams Dude Ranch, where the horses were housed three miles away from their Ranch in Eldorado. They knew the chauffer’s wouldn’t want them all wet and smelly in the Limos so they began to walk part of the way to the Williams Dude Ranch in the pouring rain, hoping to get cleansed by the rain.

Well, at least we don’t smell like horse sweat! Antonio said as they walked.

Hope no one drives by and recognizes us. Michael said as the rain water dripped off his cowboy hat.

He’s right? What if someone does and stops and gets pictures of us drenched like rats, it’ll be all over the tabloids! Ronnie said nervously.

Let’s go into the woods, get off the road. Ike said. They all went into the woods and began walking back to the Dude Ranch, which was now only a short walk away, pulling their horses.

Look, a squirrel with a camera. David teased. Trent and Trevor laughed, so did Ronnie and Julia.

That’s all we need, Paparazzi squirrels! Michael blurted out.

Shouldn’t you have your guns out in case a bear shows up? Julia said holding on to Peter.

Julia, bears don’t come out in the rain! They have brains! We’re the only idiots walking in the rain! Michael snapped with a cranky face.

Are the soldiers idiots? Chet snapped back. Everyone looked at Chet, then at Michael. Think they only engage in combat when the sun is out? Those soldiers, younger than you, walk miles with 75 lbs. of equipment on their back, in the rain.

Okay, Julia get on my back, I’ll carry you the rest of the way. Michael said seriously.

Carry me, I’m tired. Antonio said.

You’re a horse, can’t carry you. Michael said comically.

Am not! I weigh 8 lbs. more than you and its solid muscle? Antonio replied.

Good! You carry me then. Michael jumped on Antonio’s back."

Michael, want someone taking pictures of you like that? Ronnie said as she looked around. The guards were hysterical as Michael jumped off and made the sign of the cross.

Is he the cutest thing? Sabo said.

Great, the ground is muddy now. Trent said annoyed. We should have stayed on the road, look at my boots! The Horses are getting muddy legs walking in this.

Go ahead, people will see you and say, ‘That filthy slob covered in mud, with the filthy horse, isn’t he one of the Thompson guards? Ike teased.

Boots can be cleaned Trent, ever hear of boot polish? Trevor asked comically. Trent was getting cranky. He was a clean freak. Suddenly they heard a bear roar. Everyone stopped. The guards grabbed their kids and put them behind them. All their guns were drawn.

Our luck, an idiot bear. Antonio said nervously.

The guns are loaded right? Michael asked.

Quiet! Ike said as they looked around.

Aim for the forehead. Trent said as he went in front of Trevor.

Aim for the feet, maybe it has cubs. Chris said sympathetically. Michael rolled his eyes.

Feet, are you serious? Michael snapped.

It can’t chase us with a wounded foot, then we run! Chris said.

Yeah, right into Papa Bear. Did you shoot my kid in the foot? Michael teased.

Quiet!! Chet said sternly.

"We need to move. Wait! I see it! Ike said as he aimed his gun and emptied the cartridge. The bear dropped.

You killed it!!! Michael said excitedly. They all went close. It was dead. A Grizzly.

Wow Ike. You got him square in the head. Good shot! Chet said as he kicked the bear.

Don’t kick it, that’s mean! Julia said sweetly.

Think it has a wife and kids? Chris asked.

I killed it, I want it. Let’s drag it back to the Ranch. Ike said.

Say what? Trent said annoyed. That thing weighs a ton. We’d need a bulldozer to move it. Ike call Vic, tell him to send a truck, and one to pick us up too. Trent said.

Look how many horses we have Trent. We take four of them and they drag the bear back to the ranch. Ike said as he walked his horse over to the dead bear.

11:00 P.M. Honey, this thing is 10 foot high! We can put the rug in little Ike’s room. Ike said excitedly.

So bear fleas can infest his room and hair? Sandra snapped back comically.

Sandra be real! They clean the hide. There is no fleas. The cat has fleas, not a dried bear skin.

Trent, how long are you going to stay in that tub? Laura complained. It’s 11:15!

I am filthy to the bone Laura. Horse sweat on my skin, the smell of bear blood in my hair!

Why did you help them put it on the truck?

Because everyone else was, even Julia. Burn the clothes I wore today! Trent snapped.

Where’s my bubble bath beads Laura asked as she looked around the bathroom.

There was only 2 teaspoons left. Trent lied.

Tst, Tst, Tst, liar, liar, pants on fire. Abraham said as he noted it down in his book.

You used up all that bubble bath? You’ll get a rash stupid! Laura scolded

I didn’t use it all at once. This is the fourth tub load. Think it’s easy to get horse sweat off your body?

You took four baths?

Laura, I had bear blood in my hair!!!

"My shampoo!! You didn’t. You did!!! Trent!!

So you buy more, borrow some from Sandra, she probably has ten bottles with all that hair. My hair is finally cleaned honey.

You need a psychiatrist! Laura said annoyed as she walked out of the bathroom. Laura suddenly screamed. Trent’s eyes widen. He jumped out of the tub and wrapped a towel around his waist.

What’s wrong? Trent asked panicked as he ran into the bedroom.

Your clothes! It has fleas on it! Bear fleas or worse tics, my Baby!!!! Laura screamed as she ran to Little Johnny, throwing Trent’s smelly clothes in his face. Trent looked, it did look like fleas.

March 18th 2005. 1:30 p.m. The wives were planning for the October weddings. They had a meeting at Eve and Joseph Mansion. Inviting the girls and their mothers to decide on dresses and wedding menu. The Thompson’s would be paying for all seven weddings.

Buy whatever dresses you like. Dotty told the girls. Here are the catalogs. You know of course we can’t leave the Valley. So choose your dresses and we’ll have them sent here with a seamstress to make any alterations. Remember, pick whatever you like, and don’t look at the costs. You pick whatever you like, now of course we can’t have you wearing the same dresses, so if two of you pick the same dress, well then we draw straws. Dotty said as Lauren and Marie brought over some of the wedding catalogs. Rose and Lilly brought over two other catalogs. Julia and Betty and Maria brought over the three other catalogs. Lisa and Janet brought catalogs from home that they had been looking at for months.

"You’re each allowed a maid of honor and two bridesmaids. We will pay for their dresses as well, and whatever dresses your mothers and grandmothers choose. So bring your catalogs home so they can choose bridesmaids dresses and your mothers and grandmothers dresses. The Cousins will each have a best man and two ushers. However, at the wedding ceremony, only the Cousins and their brides on the altar. Later on you can each get wedding pictures with your wedding party.

2:00 P.m. Back at the Eldorado Ranch, the Brothers and the kids were in with their Dad’s and guards discussing the Race Track. Everyone was quite excited about building it, especially the Brothers, knowing their parents would come watch the horse races. Well, I have some horses coming in tomorrow by 10:00 AM. So make sure everyone is up and ready. Vic warned.

Why don’t we just race the horses we have? Michael asked curiously. A horse is a horse.

No, a horse is not just any old horse. Race horses are tall, with long legs. You don’t just race a horse. Al said as he lit his pipe.

So, I figure we buy seven horses. One for each of the kids. Vic said.

Can we name them? Julia asked childlike.

Yes, unless the horse comes with his own name. Can’t change the horse’s name. Vic replied as he looked at everyone.

Why we buying the horses now? The race track isn’t built yet. Ike asked.

It was built this morning. Vic answered. His brothers, the kids and the guards all looked at Vic with their mouths dropped. Then ran out of his study, out to the back of the Hotel. There, off in the distance was a huge race track with visitor booths and spectator stands underneath the booths.

Oh my goodness! Vic It’s great. Al said as he began running over to the race track.

Jack hugged Vic and then took off running after Al. The kids and guards were already chasing after Al and Jack. Sean, Vic and Jake and the older guards walked over. Eve I take it? Jake asked.

Nope, Captain Masterson. Vic answered.

Hey, look back there. Those are stables? Sean said excitedly.

Yep, and over there are the corrals and grazing fields. That building there is the trainer’s apartments. We need to have groomers and trainers on the property for the seven horses. I also hired eight security guards, two men for a six hour shift. That would give the horses 24/7 security. And seven groomers, hired them from San Angelo. I’m giving them eight hour shifts. They only have to groom the one horse. I expect these horses spotless and those stalls immaculate. Vic said.

Vic, groomers clean the horse not the stalls? Jake answered.

"I know, I hire four maintenance men to keep the stalls clean. Above the stalls is a large room where the guards can take a break, have something to eat. There are three bedrooms up there also. One for the maintenance man, one for a live in security guard and one for a live in groomer. The others have to come from San Angelo on a daily basis.

Hope it’s not too hot in those stalls Vic, Eldorado gets real hot. Sean said as they walked.

Everything is air-conditioned, with generators for emergency backup. Plus there’s a barn to the left of the stables for the hay and feed. That building there is for the equipment, saddles whatever else they need.

And the horses come tomorrow? We can race them? Jake said excitedly.

"Tomorrow night, it’s got flood lights all over the place and it’ll be cooler for the horses to run and for the guests. It’ll just be family and the guards and some of their parents until we can have a formal invite. Then everyone else can come. But tomorrow night, it’ll be just for us and the guards and their parents. I’m bringing everyone in tomorrow morning to see the Track. Captain Masterson also put an invisible 14 foot wall around the Ranch. He said he needed to make sure his sons were protected as well as us.

What if someone drives up to the wall and smashes into it and dies. Sean asked panicked.

He’ll run out of gas before he hits the wall. I already asked Joseph that Vic said as he puffed on his cigar.

14 feet high? Wow. Hope we don’t smash into it. Jake said as he looked around the ranch.

No one’s been here for a while, so they won’t be surprised when they see it completed. Vic said as they got to the Track. The kids were quite happy with the place. They were up in the Thompson booths where the five brothers had their own private booths for their wives, family, and guards and their children. Each booth had twenty Captain swivel chairs. A large TV that would televise the race close up. The Track had camera’s everywhere to get the best shots of the horses racing. There were three bathrooms in each booth. A huge ice cream freezer, refrigerator, microwave, hot dog maker, pretzel warmer, popcorn machine, pizza warmer, and candy dispenser. And other snacks plus a large table for buffet warmers. And a pizza brick oven. The angels knew exactly what to give them for their pleasure and enjoyment. When the kids and guards went track side, the Brothers would share one booth.

The spectator stands were all covered with fans and lights above to keep the spectators out of the rain and well-lit for night time races. The seats were large to accommodate the larger guards and family members who would be attending the races. The Brothers also had seating assigned to them in the spectator stands in case they wanted to enjoy the race at ground level. That area would be blocked off from the other spectators in a glass bullet proof enclosure that was also air-conditioned for Eve and her babies, and the other guards who had babies, so they would not have to suffer the effects of the heat.

The soil was Alabama clay, a beautiful brick red color, with pristine lawns and flowers everywhere. There was also a water fountain with a pond in the middle of the lawn to add more beauty to the Race Track. The spectators also had bathroom facilities that accommodated 2000 people. The stands held 100 people per section, each section having bathroom facilities close by. 100 ladies rooms and 100 men’s rooms. 50 handicap bathrooms. Spaced out to accommodate the spectators. The stands also had a refreshment center for hot dogs, pretzels, popcorn, soda, candy, peanuts and ice cream. A refreshment center for each section in the spectator seats so there would not be long lines for refreshments.

Captain Masterson hire people to work all these concessions centers? Jake asked.

Nope, I did. We’re practically hiring all the residents from San Angelo. I also hired maintenance and cleaning crews for the restrooms. Dotty wants them spotless or no one’s allowed in here anymore." Vic said shaking his head.

Yep, that’s Dotty all right. Jake answered.

Thank God, public restrooms can stink terribly. Sean said as he looked around.

What’s that back there? Jake asked as he looked at what appeared to be a train behind the spectator’s seats.

That comes in from San Angelo. That way the workers can’t say their car broke down and they can’t get here. Free transportation to and from work. Vic answered.

Hey, can we use it? Sean asked childlike.

Yes, we have a private car for the family and the day guards or night guards; whichever is on duty. That way we won’t have to take the limos into San Angelo all the time.

So you had to hire conductors for the train and engineers? Jake asked Vic.

I told you we’re practicing employing all of San Angelo. Vic said seriously as he lit another cigar.

Aren’t you leaving something out? Al asked holding his pipe. The brothers all looked at him. The jockey’s! Don’t tell me San Angelo has little people who are trained jockeys.

Eve said we don’t need jockeys. Vic answered seriously.

What? All the brothers chimed in together.

The angels will be riding the horses, they don’t weigh anything. Kids will get a kick out of that. Of course the spectators can’t know the jockeys are the kid’s guardian angels.

I think if they see ten foot men getting on the horse they’ll figure it out themselves. Al said comically.

The angels will be the size of a jockey, wearing the jockey uniforms and hats, and goggles. People won’t know who they are. But the kids will, and us, and the wives, and the guards, and their wives.

Their wives? That’s it, the whole universe will find out. Al replied comically.

Why can’t our angels ride as jockeys? Jack asked childlike.

Well, maybe they can ride some of the other races. Now the angels play fair and square. They cannot make their horse win. Whatever horse wins, it’s because the horse won, not the angel making the horse win.

C’mon, let’s go tell the kids. Can’t wait to see their faces. Who has a camera? Sean said as he walked towards the kids

You had to see your faces. Vic said with a chuckle.

Think the Lord will let us have a camera? Piper asked the other angels.

March 9th, 2005 2:00 P.M the Race horses arrived. Vic had Dr. Kensington the Veterinarian and Joachim Venezuela the trainer examining the thoroughbreds. The Cousins and young guards were in the Hotel study the Brothers used for their meetings and conferences.

So who gets what horse? Ike asked as he sat on the edge of the huge mahogany desk.

We have to pick their numbers out of a bowl. Michael answered.

Oh. Ike replied noticing the Cousin’s appeared rather quiet.

You kids don’t like that Idea? Sal asked as he looked at Ike and Trevor.

Why can’t the horses pick what Cousin it wants? Antonio asked seriously. Everyone laughed. No really. We write our names on the carrots, the horse gets to take one of the carrots, then we can’t complain.

Then the horse eats the carrot with the ink on it and dies. Michael answered with a cranky face.

I think that would be fun, see which horse picks which Cousin. Trevor said excitedly.

We should just ask each horse. Do you want me to own you? If they kick us in the face we move on to the next horse." Antonio teased.

You know what our faces will look like after seven horses? Michael snapped comically.

You thought I was serious? You better hurry up and become a psychiatrist, you need to examine yourself first. I was kidding Michael. Antonio said rolling his eyes.

Why can’t we just say which horse we prefer to have, maybe none of us wants the same horse? Then we end up with the horses we wanted in the first place. Michael reasoned sensibly.

Okay, so now you pick the horse you like, and it doesn’t win any races, what then? Ike asked knowing the way Michael was.

I send him to Africa. Michael answered comically. Everyone laughed.

As they waited for their fathers to come into the study, David found an old album on the back table where they kept a coffee maker, and boxes of cookies. Hey guys, there’s an old album here, this looks really old. Maybe it belonged to our grandparents? David said as he opened it. Wow! All the Cousins and guards came over to him trying to see what he was ‘wowing’ about.

That’s your Grandfather? Ike asked.

Yeah, says John D next to the picture. He was tall like my Dad. David answered.

There’s the cabin in the background. Julia noticed as she pointed to it.

Let me see. Michael asked as he looked at the picture closely. So this was taken here at the Ranch. What other pictures are there, turn the page? Michael asked David. He turned to the next page. There was John D with his wife and what appeared to be three boys. That’s my Dad. Michael said laughing. He was so skinny.

The one next to him is probably your Dad Bobby, and the little one would be my Dad.

Julia said as she looked closely at the picture. Think this was taken by the cabin? I don’t see the cabin anywhere.

Dad was a cute kid. Ronnie said as he looked at the picture. Wow, Uncle Vic was such a skinny boney kid, maybe they were poor and didn’t have enough food? Ronnie asked rather sadly.

Teddy looked awfully healthy if you ask me. He wasn’t skinny, my Dad was a chubby kid, and how old do you think he was here? Ronnie asked Julia.

Probably 5, maybe 6. Julia answered.

Grandpa was handsome. Chris said as he looked at the picture. Turn the page, let’s see the next picture. David turned the page. It was John D with Vic, Ted, and Jake, standing next to their father and a little baby sitting on a beautiful horse. That’s my Dad, was he cute? Geeezzzzzz, what did they feed him, he’s so fat and round. Antonio said somewhat embarrassed. Think fat babies is hereditary? What if my kids come out enormous like that?"

Stop being silly Antonio! He’s adorable. Babies are supposed to have baby fat, protects their little bones. Julia answered.

That’s not baby fat Julia, that’s obesity. How did my grandmother carry him? Antonio said comically. Everyone was laughing.

Says John D, Victor, Theodore, Jacob and Jonathan. So that baby wasn’t your father Antonio, some kid named Jonathan.

Thank You God!!! Antonio said with his hands in a prayer formation.

Think Grandma had another kid? Michael asked curiously.

Kid probably exploded. Antonio answered. Everyone laughed.

"We have