First Encounters

    It was a warm night when Matthew Hall first met the stallion he would later adopt and name Commodore. His mother and father, as well as his older sister Sabrina, had just moved to the quiet country town Appaloosa Plains. It was his parents hope to escape the hustle and bustle of Bridgeport. 

    His father, Thomas, was a slightly over-weight, human-sized teddy bear. A pushover at best, succumbing to every whim of his mother, but a good guy in the eyes of everyone in town. 

    Sandra, his mother, however, was the sort of woman you hate, but smile and have tea with so she doesn't ruin your reputation and take away everything that matters. She was at the top of her acting career, and was rarely home. Rumor has it she was involved in a multitude of affairs with various directors and fellow actors.

   His sister Sabrina, well it was like any typical sibling format. Matthew lived to make her life difficult, and she his. She was obsessed with her cat Kitty, and talking on the phone with all her friends she had left behind in Bridgeport.

   And Matthew? He was the scrawny, dorky kid everyone avoided. Sporting a wide cowboy hat, overalls, and cowboy boots he was the epitome of a kid dreaming of bigger things. And he was.

   While his family was unpacking their things and settling into their new house, something caught Matthew's eye. A small herd of wild horses was on their lot. Two older mares, a younger mare and a stallion milled about the light pole grazing and socializing. Matthew couldn't believe his eyes. He stood dumbstruck, watching them intently. After a few moments, he decided he would like to pet one at least before Thomas began to wonder where he was.

   As subtly as a gobsmacked kid can, he approached the large stallion but before he could get close enough to touch him, the stallion whistled loudly rearing up and galloping off into the hills, the herd following close behind him. Rather dejectedly, Matthew turned and went to his room. Chance, his rather large and goofy dog was sprawled on his bed. He smiled to himself, and laid down to go to sleep. He wouldn't rest until he had that stallion.