Break A Leg

My Mom (Olivia) and Dad (Charles) met at Faulkner University back when it was Alabama Christian University. Charles was enamoured of Olivia, but Olivia only thought he was nice and wasn't really marriage material. Charles was a Bible major on his way to becoming a preacher and was a good guy, but she thought he was a little too enthusiastic about their burgeoning relationship. Charles, relaizing that he was not impressing the young lady, did everything he could to make her like him more and perhaps even fall in love with him. He sold all of his Hank Williams records (originals) since she detested country music. He gave her his high school class ring as a token of love. But, nothing seemed to faze fair Olivia. But, Charles was not one to give up so easily. He talked to Olivia often and, through his keen mastery of conversation, discovered that Olivia adored horse-back riding. She had ridden horses since she was a small girl and desperately wanted to ride again since she had been far from her South Carolina home for many months with no horses to carry her thence. "Aha!" said Charles, most pleased. "Come with me to the farm where my folks live and we can ride horses until your little heart's content!" Alas! Students at ACU were FORBIDDEN to do such a thing. For a young man and woman to go off for a weekend together, even to the young man's family's house, was scandalous! But, the die had been cast and away they went, signing out of their dorms with riding intent. The next day, they went out and saddled the horses. Charles rode a stallion named Bill. He was a brute and vehemently disdained Tom, the gelding Olivia rode. Yet, Charles was confident that he could control Bill, being a competent horseman himself. They rode for an hour or two and then decided to return to the stable. But, Bill had different plans. He kicked at Tom, trying his best to damage his castrated foe. However, as fate would have it, Olivia's leg was in the path of Bill's kick and was shattered about the shin when his hoof met the graceful spindle below her knee. She cried out and fell from Tom's back as Charles dismounted in an effort to comfort and care for his wounded love. Bill and Tom ran back to stables with Bill chasing Tome down and nearly kicking him to death! Olivia swooned at the horse battle and her wound. Thus Charles swept her up and carried her forthwith to the physicians. After that day, Charles was left alone. Olivia's family came and took her back to South Carolina. She was severely broken by Bill's ill-favored kick. Olivia, lonely and deeply hurt, slept alone in the hospital, unsure of her fate and wishing for her loving Charles to come and lift her spirits. And came he did! Charles, among working three jobs and going to college full-time still visited Olivia, making the eight-hour trek from sout Alabama to South Carolina at least once a month for two years. Upon seeing Charles' devotion, Olivia loved him all-the-more. There, the love story ends and begins...

Epilogue:

Olivia and Charles have been married for over 35 years. Olivia still has a huge dent in her shin from the kick and walks with a can due to her injury, but the doctors saved her leg. Charles is a preacher and a carpenter. They still love each other and, since the horseback riding incident, have not ridden horses.