Three Little Diamonds

It was now coming up to 5 ½ years since I had found Rarity in the old bowling alley. She had grown to her full size standing at 3 feet and 2 inches tall. Even though she was only 7 her maturity level was that of a woman in her early 20’s. She knew what she wanted and how to get it. About 2 years ago she had decided she wanted to start designing clothes for herself as she never found anything she liked whether it was online or at a store. So with a small chunk of money I had saved up I bought her a sewing machine and plenty of materials so she could begin her dream. She took up the small garage as her workshop forcing my car to be parked outside under a tarp but I didn’t mind, Rarity was happy and that’s all that matters. Mannequins with dresses and shelves of fabric covered the garage where car parts and junk once sat.

Along the wall next to the fabric was also a large shelf of gems and jewels she would mix into her outfitsand although it looked like a mess to the untrained eye to Rarity it was perfect. She spent most of the time I was at work inside the garage and when I got home out at the park with me. Most days in the town were surprisingly warm,the summer came quickly in bringing temperatures above 70 some days. This was strange as our summers never got over 55 degrees and even the clouds let up a little every so often giving out small rays of sunshine. The town had made an agreement with Manuco, a large manufacturing business to buy all the empty property in the town and level it to build a large factory. Construction sites had begun to pop up all over town. Most of the empty builds which were by me were now leveled and smoothed out leaving just a dirt spot where it once sat. One summer evening as Rarity and I were sitting in the living room, she sat hapoily watching a fashion debut while I read one of the books I had bought when the local bookstore closed. As we relaxed there was a sudden knock on the door, I hadn’t had anyone knock on my door in almost 6 years. “Rarity head to your room while I see who it is” I told her. She nodded and walked down the hall to her room using her magic to open the door and then closed it. I got up and brushed off some crumbs from the chips I had been eating.

I opened the door to see 2 men standing in suits outside my door. One had a briefcase in his hand.

“Can I help you?” I asked confused on why they were there.

“Hello sir. My name is Bernard and this is my coworker Alfred. We work for Manuco and have an offer to discuss with you.” Bernard said.

He stood about 5 feet tall and wore a grey suit. He had short black hair and glasses on. He looked to be an executive or lawyer for Manuco. His partner he was standing with was at least a foot taller than him and wore a black suit. He had a shaved head and a serious look on his face. I could tell he wasn’t much of a talker. I invited them in and we sat in my living room. Then Alfred opened the briefcase and took out some papers and handed them to Bernard

“We have an offer to buy your property. They have given me an estimate on what your house is worth and are willing to give you at least the full price plus an addition half of the total price on top. This is a deal that is truly in your benefit Mr …” He paused

. “Saintclaire” I said to Bernard.

“Very nice to meet you Mr. Saintclaire. Like I was saying this is a deal which is truly in your benefit.” He said as he showed me the paperwork.

I looked over it confused on everything but I pretended to understand.

“Of course if you decide to go with this we will give you as much time as you need to find another home and move in. We don’t want to shove you out onto your butt.” He said with a small chuckle.

He then slides a check for $350,000 and placed it next to the papers, the name on the check was blank.

“This is the estimated amount we’ve found your house to be plus half the price placed in with it. Like I said this is a deal in your favor” He repeated again.

I had thought about moving before. The house here was getting to small and all the construction had made it more difficult to move to the park. Rarity was beginning to have to spend time in the house more and more. I thought for a few moments about it then remember what Rarity might want.

“Do you mind if I think it over for a bit?” I asked them.

“I’ll give you an answer tomorrow” I added in.

Bernard nodded to me

“I can understand and will be happy to let you decide.” He said handing me a small card. “This is my direct phone number.” He added in as well as I looked at the card.

“Bernard Royce. Development and financials Manager” was on the card in a red ink. He collected up his papers and the check before standing up with his friend

“Thank you for your time sir” Bernard said to me as I shook his hand. “I’ll be looking forward to your call Mr. Saintclaire” He said finally as they walked out of the house and over to a black Lincoln parked in front of the house.

They drove off almost as soon as they climbed in and were gone quickly. I closed the front door and walked down the hall to Rarity’s room and with a quiet knock on the door I walked in. Rarity was listening to her iPod and reading a book.

“Rarity” I said as she looked at me.

She removed her headphones and placed them around her neck.

“So what was that all about dad? Who was that?” She asked. I sat down next to her

“That was 2 men from Manuco. They want to buy our house but I wanted to talk to you before I decided anything. You have just as much say as I do.” I told her.

She looked at me and thought for a moment.

“It might be good to accept. I mean I’d miss this place but I’ve wanted to get a bigger shop. I was thinking about starting my on online business if you of course would approve of this idea. I even have an idea on the website.” She said happy.

I looked at her with a large grin.

“Of course I would approve. I think it’s an amazing idea. It looks like we may be moving now” I said with a happy expression.

A sudden thought crept over me. “She won't be here forever” I thought suddenly and my happy mood sank quickly but kept the smile on my face the best I could.

“Are you ok?” Rarity asked as she looked at me with concern.

“Oh yeah I’m fine. I just thought how fast you’re growing up. It seems like only yesterday I brought you home and now look, you’re starting your own business.” I said as a cover for my thoughts.

“I know. It can be shocking. So you are you going to accept?” she said looking at me.

I looked back at her and nodded

“Yes. I’ll call them tomorrow and tell them I accept. We’d better start packing” I said to her with my happy expression coming back.

The thought still lingered in my head but I pushed it away. The next day I called Bernard with the number he had given me.

“Bernard Royce.” His voice said when he answered.

“Hi Bernard. It’s Saintclaire. I made my decision and I’m going to accept that offer.” I told him

“Excellent Mr.Saintclaire. I will come right over with the papers. Please have the deed ready.” He said.

“Thank you” I replied before I hung up the phone. As Bernard had said he was over in that same hour, this time his suit was now a hint of green with a black undershirt.

“A strange combination” I thought then realized I had been watching too many of Rarity’s shows.

His coworker Alfred was there again looking as friendly as the last time I had seen him. We sat in my living room again and went over the paperwork. He also filled out the check as I signed the deed releasing it to them.

“And there we are. I thank you for your decision and wish you the best. Please call this number when you have found a house you will be moving to. They’ll let me know. Have a good day Mr.Saintclaire” He said as I shook his hand for the second time.

“Guess we’d better start looking for another house” I said to myself as they drove off.

I took out a house hunter magazine and began to surf through the pages. Rarity came downstairs hearing the men leaving and sat next to me. “So where are we going to move? I want somewhere sunny and has plenty of space” She said to me

“Not sure. I was thinking Connecticut. it’s beautiful out there. Lots of country side that we can live in and avoid the city life.” I said to her.

She nodded happily.

“That would be amazing! I could start my own business and sell my items online and if you would be willing to ship them for me. I could even learn to drive and get a car and have plenty of fun and…” She continued on.

I chuckled seeing how happy she was and felt I had made a good choice. Things were so different since she had popped into my life. Not too long ago I was looking at a gun in my nhand and now I was selling my house and moving away from this town. As I turned the page I noticed a house for sale in the Connecticut country side. It was a light grey 2 level house with tons of rooms and even had a small shop on the side. \

“This one looks good” I said showing her. She nodded and smiled.

“It’s perfect” She said as we both looked at the picture.