First Chapters... should I continue? (Some are really old)
Mr. Cake’s Day (Supposed to have color coding... didn't transfer.)
*Buzz* *Buzz* *Buzz* Slam.
Five AM already, it feels like I just went to bed. I don’t wanna get up but the bread isn’t gonna make itself. Wait, what’s that?
*Sniffle* *Rustle* ‘WAAAA’ ‘WAAAA’
Oh, great, both of them are up at the same time as me again. Flocking alarm.
“Honey? Cup! It’s time to get up and start the day. I’ll get the kitchen going, you get the kids back to bed and get some more sleep, I’ll come get you when the ovens are hot and the flour is ready.”
Mrs. Cake groaned as she instinctively rolled out of the bed to her wobbling legs as she dragged herself to the twins’ room without a word.
Time to get going.
Mr. Cake walked down the hall as he heard Cup singing a song to the twins. Peeking into the room as he walked past he smiled to see Pound in her arms and Pumpkin trying to climb out of the crib unsuccessfully. Passing quietly as he could by Pinkies room he said a silent prayer that Pinkie would sleep until they had at least finished baking the breads and had mixed the cake batter.
As much as I appreciate Pinkies, Pinkiness. She can be such a handful and I can’t keep finding ways to distract her while I take candy and toys out of the batter she mixes because it makes the desserts more funner and yummmier in the tummier.
I really do love how she gets along with the kids though; and she drums up so much business for us that we have a real savings finally and can take vacations… I guess she can make a few special cupcakes today.
Picking up his pace again Carrot went downstairs and into the kitchen, firing up the ovens and getting his recipes ready he did his morning stretches as he waited for Cup to come downstairs. After finishing his routine she still wasn’t coming down.
Oh, I love that mare. She’s up there with the twins and I bet they’re putting up a fight to go back to bed. Just don’t wake up Pi-
“GOOOOD MORNING BABIES! Who’s ready to PLAAAYYY?!” Pinkies voice echoed throughout the house as the twins screamed loudly at the sudden noise, the combination drowning out the silence that had permeated it a moment ago.
Oh no. Poor Cup, she’s going to be upset for the next hour.
“PINKIE!? What have we told you about shouting this early in the morning? Especially at the TWINS?!”
Oh boy, Pinkie started today on the wrong note. I think I’ll retreat to my tasks. Where’s the mixer? Oh, PINKIE, why is there used chewing gum in here? It’s gonna take me ten minutes to clean this thing out. Mr. Cake! I’m making Gummy gum! I know Gummy gum will be a huge HUGE seller.
Carrot smacked his face in frustration as he realized that Pinkie was making gum for her pet.
Is this? Is this… caramel mixed in with it? Oh no, it’s made it even stickier. This is gonna set me back too far, I have to go old school and to it by hand. And listen to Cup scold Pinkie as the twins scream.
I love that mare so much.
Grabbing a large bowl and a whisk, measuring cups and spoons, spatula, eggs and flour, Carrot set up his mise en place1 and washed his hooves making sure to get between every nook and cranny dirt could hide.
Okay, just like old times.
Carrot masterfully mixed the ingredients without looking at the recipe cards he piled out of habit more than necessity. Six minutes later he had a bowl full of dough resting and was starting a new bowl with many of the same ingredients to make cake and cupcake batter.
Oh, I can’t believe how much I missed the feeling of flour in my hooves. I should try to do this once a week, however that would mean re-scheduling our caterings, Pinkies foal-sitting, our adult night… Yeah, I think I’ll pass on that idea.
Pouring the batter into shaped tins and pans as he hummed to himself Cup walked into the kitchen with a smile, “Good morning, honey,” she said as she kissed his cheek, “Why aren’t you using the mixer?”
Looking at his wife with a soft smile he nodded to it, “Pinkie experimented again, I was just gonna leave it til later.” Cup walked to the mixer and tensed up, “Now, honey. Remember what we talked about, she’s worth more to us alive than dead.”
”I know what we talked about but this is getting older than… something that’s really old! I can’t even think right now and I certainly don’t want to clean this up. PINKIE! PLEASE COME HERE.”
Two seconds later Pinkie was looking over the swinging old western style doors with her fluffy pink mane partly covering the tops of her eyes as she peeked cautiously, “Yes Mrs. Cake?” She said meekly.
Oh boy, she’s still mad and Pinkie is going to be getting it until we open unless they find common ground… Think Carrot, what works? Foals are playing in the other room so that’s a no. Mixing batter and bread is a no. Playing games this early? Ha-ha, not the time for jokes…
“Pinkie, clean this up and I don’t want to hear a word from you besides the words ‘OKAY’ and ‘I’m sorry,’ both to be used only once until it’s done.”
Taking a moment to sink her hooves to the floor Pinkie pushed into the kitchen with her head low as she went to the mixer. Not making eye contact Pinkie said, “I’m really sorry, Mrs. Cake.”
“I didn’t say you could use the word ‘really’ or my name, Pinkie.”
“I’m sorry.” Pinkie said as she turned and removed the mixing bowl and dough hook that were almost glued together. Looking at her husband Cup winked.
I swear that woman is full of surprises; she is the only mare that can calm down the Pinkiest of Pies. She has the same power over me, it must be a mom thing.
“Honey, I love you but we have a lot of work to do and without our mixer we have to do it all by hoof. I have the bread ready and the cupcakes are mixed. The cakes are panned up and ready to bake so you have to start the cookies. You decide what the Cake Special is today since you’ve had a hard day already and I know cookies are your thing.”
“Honey, here’s your apron. You’re getting flour on your clothes.” Cup said as she tossed an apron with a towel wrapped in it to Carrot.
Putting it on he went back to mixing and panning while Cup put the first pans of cupcakes in the oven and set the timer she looked sternly at Pinkie as she scrubbed roughly making some progress on the mixing bowl. Pinkies fluffy mane was a little flatter than it was earlier but she still had a smile and a determined look on her face with her tongue sticking out of the corner of her mouth.
“She’s going to do it, but we have to double check her work; you know she misses spots,” Carrot whispered to Cup as she grabbed the flour to move to another counter for her cookies.
“I know dear, believe me I know.”
The timer went off 11 minutes later as Pinkie was finishing her cleaning job. Reentering the kitchen Cup commented on how well behaved the foals were as she opened the oven and checked out the doneness of the cupcakes. Frowning she closed the oven again and set the timer again, “Just a couple more minutes.”
“Mrs. Cake? I’m done, can I please go play now?” Pinkie asked as she sat like a puppy and looked at Cup with her most puppy-like eyes.
“Well, let me see. Hmm, Wait, what’s- well,”
She is a master of suspense, I think this is taking hours for Pinkie, Carrot thought as he watched the pink mare restrain herself from bouncing.
“Okay, you can go play. But no griffining2 around,” Cup called as Pinkie was running into the play room, she had almost left the room with her crazy speed as soon as Cup had said ‘okay.’
“That mare is crazy, but she’s our crazy,” Cup giggled. Carrot smiled as he began mixing the muffins but he didn’t acknowledge his wife’s comment.
*Ding*
“Oh, cupcakes are done! I’ll put in the cakes, Muffins next and then bread last.”
We’ve been doing this for years the same way, I know how it’s done. “Yes dear. We’re right on schedule.”
Time to open up, I can’t wait for the morning rush. “Pinkie, time to open up, flip the sign and unlock the door.”
“Okie-dokie Mr. Cake,” Pinkie called as a toy dropped and her hooves scurried to the door. The foals giggled as Pinkie made a ‘Choo-Choo.’
Finishing setting up the display cases the Cakes looked at the clock: 7:02.
Two minutes late, unforgiveable. I’ll have to beg for Cups forgiveness on our next adult night out.
Carrot chuckled and looked at Cup who was sitting with the twins, starting to play with them and Pinkie.
Celestia I love Cup, she’s the greatest mare a stallion could ask for. Pinkie on the other hand is usually so crazy outside but she unwinds so fast here at home. I think Cup make a great mom to the twins and a fantastic role model for Pinkie.
--
“Honey, it’s been fifteen minutes and nopony has come in, check the sign and see if Pinkie forgot it again. Maybe the door is locked still, you know it could be something simple.”
“Okay dear.”
If Pinkie forgot the door or sign Cup will have Pinkie by the ear and upstairs for a lecture again in no time. Look at Pinkie, she heard Cup and is trying to play cool… I may need to see some mare on mare action more than I thought. Oh my goodness, what am I thinking?
Hmm, sign is good and door is unlocked. I’ll keep it open so people know we’re open.
“Well, was it the sign or the door?” Pinkie sat up straight suddenly while stacking blocks with her back to Cup, the tension was obvious.
“Neither, I left the door open though, we should get some customers soon.” Pinkie sighed relaxing her back and went back to playing blocks quietly with Pound.
“Dear is there something going on it town today? I see a lot of ponies going east.”
“Oh Celestia, it’s Thursday! Thursday!”
“Oh no! I totally forgot, it’s the opening of the new shop and we were supposed to bring treats to sell. How could we forget?”
“I remembered!”
“Pinkamena Diane Pie, why didn’t you remind us?”
Oh, full name. Pinkie is not in Cups good graces today at all.
“You said to stop talking and play with the twins,” she said factly with a smile.
Oh, flock her obedience sometimes. “Thank you for listening Pinkie, but this was very important and we’re late. You have to watch the shop and the twins until we get back around 1 PM,” Carrot stated as he ran to collect items from the kitchen.
“Pinkie, we’re going to have a talk when I get back. Goodbye sweeties, mommy loves you both and will be back in a little bit. Be good for auntie Pinkie.”
Pinkie beamed with joy as she usually did to be called ‘auntie.’
“Don’t worry, I’m responsible and promise everything will be tip top in this ship shop.” With a worried look Cup turned and trotted to the kitchen and saw Carrot taking the last trays of desserts out the door.
Rushing out the back door Carrot gathered desserts into the bakeries cart as Cup followed with a small sign and price chart, “Honey we’ve got to go. Harness up and I’ll follow right behind you with the bit box and receipt book.”
Arriving near the town hall they set up their cart in their designated spot. As the other shops in their area were already bustling with business they looked at each other with concern then set up their table and signs.
Ponies were lining up as soon as the sign was up, Prices be damned, we’re the hottest shop and we’re not even open yet.
The Cakes smiled at each other as they took turns setting up their treats and breads, rolls, cupcakes and barrel that was filled with sweet tea made earlier that week. “Open for business, let’s stay in line mares and gentle colts.”
The line quickly became a snake way as ponies lined the streets waiting for their turn, “Carrot, I’ll take care of the line you have to keep the inventory stocked and let me know if we’re running low so we can adjust as we need to. We’re going to cut it close today and I hope Pinkie is ready for a rush when we run out of people’s favorite items.”
Hundreds of these open shops and she’s talking to me like I’m a first day apprentice. Should I bend over and let her chop them off in front of everyone too?
“Yes dear, I’ll let you know. Now let’s get selling.”
The afternoon flew by and sales were as good as expected with no issues and a lot of happy customers. They expected nothing less and were the most popular food shop of the day.
“Whew, today was crazy. I’m going to run back to the bakery and make sure it’s under control while you pack up, okay honey?”
“Okay, hurry. As much as I love Pinkie I don’t know if she can multitask the twins and the shop.”
The thought worried him as she spoke her mind and he nodded and galloped back to Sugarcube Corner.
Sugarcube corner didn’t look busy from the outside but one he entered the front door the atmosphere changed dramatically. Pinkie was faking the best smile she could to a customer as she held Pumpkin in her left foreleg who was casting some spell as her horn glowed a light blue and Pound fluttering his wings as he floated away from Pinkie. Pinkies mane was a frazzled mess of her typical curls and split ends poking out while her eyes cried for help.
“Twins I’m back,” Carrot called as he walked to the counter. The twins looked at him and giggled, Pumpkin squirmed out of Pinkies arm then she and Pound scampered to their dad, “Ohhh, I missed you too. Thank you Pinkie for watching them and the store, I’ll take over the counter and you can take these two out back to play.”
Pinkie sighed a large obvious sigh of relief and wiped her forehead as her real smile appeared, “Thank you Mr. Cake,” Pinkie said with a certain amount of glee, “C’mon twins lets play hide and seek outside!”
“Pinkie,” Carrot said as he looked sternly at the pink mare who was about to bounce out of the room with the twins on her back.
“Um, let’s play who can count the most grass,” she suggested quickly as she continued her happy exit.
“Sorry about that, so you were getting a dozen dandelion glazed sugar cookies?” he asked the mare waiting at the counter, at least this mare is in a good mood after that short display.
First Chapters... should I continue? (Some are really old)
A story I wrote at the start of my entrance into the fandom, once again. Spacing wasn't an issue before I converted it from Word, to text, to Docx... Sorry, but 35 pages of adding paragraphs for a story that no one's ready, yet= not worth it.
My Little Bubbles
Inspired by Bubbles by Anonymous
Oh, how do I begin? Should I say it’s Tuesday, that it’s cold. That I’m excited or anxious? I’ve only kept a few diaries and a couple journals, only for my schooling years. I guess I’ll have to start at the beginning of this adventure. My wife and I recently separated; we have joint custody of our children. Our relationship was fine enough, but all I did was worked; as a cook all I did was worked and I believed I loved what I did.
All I could think about was when I’ll be going to work next, and when I was at work, how much longer until I had until I had to go back: It was more because work was exciting, the rush and flow of orders would come in, we’d get the food out and wait for the compliments to flow in. Of course, I’m joking, rarely were the customers aware we even existed.
Honestly I don’t know why I loved work more than anything, but it took its toll after a few years and we parted ways. I sunk myself deeper into my work until it all but consumed me, all I would think about was how much the next day was going to be the same, predictable yet exciting. When I wasn’t working, as rare as that was, I would walk through the park where my children would play.
Months have passed since I essentially became a bachelor, the weather was finally nice and warm, the nine months of cold and winter breaking for a short but glorious summer, I went for yet another walk to the park, this time it was around 8 PM, I enjoyed watching the sun set as I walked around.
It was a pretty large community park built to withstand the harsh Minnesotan elements, even for the small town of ours, which usually meant it was mostly abandoned after 7 PM, even on the best of nights, because it was still chilly out, with the sun setting the temperature drops pretty quick.
This night I saw something that made me smile; it was a swarm of bubbles. Some lucky kid was having the time of their lives while I’m moping about my life choices, I decided to pick up my pace to see a smiling child dancing in a flurry of spheres, trying to catch them, parents smiling as they watched.
What I saw made me stop so suddenly I stumbled. Under a tree was a little horse, tossing around and squealing as bubbles floated around. What was this horse doing in a park, in Minnesota, wait, I thought, I’m sure this actually makes sense somehow. Chuckling to myself I began to walk closer, expecting to see the owner.
As I approached I saw only a very little horse, pony sized, greyish with a yellow mane, and wings. It was holding a small bubble wand in its mouth, dipping the wand into a bowl of bubble soap and shaking it, I heard the cutest giggle as the little pony danced and spun until the wand was dry, then repeated the actions, falling over dizzy, giggling the whole while.
I stood back and watched for a minute before looking around to see movement, an owner, another person, anyone. There was nothing. Watching I noticed the little pony drop the wand into the bowl and look to the sky, then around, not seeing me or any other life, it went to make more bubbles, but none came out, even after several tries.
Dropping the wand it began to walk around the tree it was set by, looking slightly worried, I heard it speak, “Sweetie, are you?” Shocked my eyes widened and my heart skipped a beat, did this pony just talk? Looking around in shock I watched close for any other beings; people, horses, ‘Pegasus’ I thought and chuckled.
After what felt like a few minutes, which I knew to only be a few seconds, I began to job slightly toward the pony circling the tree and she stopped suddenly, looking up at me with huge eyes and yellow corneas, she smiled and yelped, “Where Sweetie!” with excitement and joy, like I was her best friend, her little wings fluttering, one faster than the other.
Smiling I knelt down and spoke, “Is your name Sweetie?” Wholly expecting a neigh or someone with a microphone to jump out of nowhere, scaring me as a joke.
“Derpy,” is all she said, then she began running around the tree again, stopping every so often to look in a random direction, “Sweetie, are you? Mommy Daddy are you?” she would ask every so often.
Watching her I realized she may have run away and I may have a huge flying Pegasus with a bad attitude landing near me any second, but I figured I’d take that risk. I’m not the best father, but I’d hate it if my child was lost and alone, unsupervised. I chose to sit a few feet from the tree and wait, steeling my nerves for a crash of hooves and an angry protective snort from above, because why couldn’t hooves clatter in the sky with a flying horse?
Waiting for almost 20 minutes little Derpy came over and fell in front of me, rolling over once, her huge eyes looking at me and a big smile on her face, “Daddy home when sky red, daddy home soon! Mommy and daddy and Derpy eat together.”
Looking at her my heart ached, I didn’t know where she was from, how old she was, where her family was or what to do with her. I couldn’t leave her alone sitting under this tree with no one around and the cold creeping in. I made the hard choice to bring her home with me for the night and I’d call in to work tomorrow if I had to.
Reaching my arms out she jumped into my arms and began kicking me with her hooves while squirming, “What are you doing, Derpy?” I was afraid to drop her, since she was so little I didn’t want to hurt her, not only because it would be irresponsible, but for the inevitable beating I’d get from ‘daddy.’
“Turn comfy,” she said.
Turning her around I grasped her under her front legs and she stopped squirming. I heard a squeal as she curled up a bit. I walked home and entered my apartment. It’s a cheap three bedroom I couldn’t let go because I was grandfathered in on rent so I paid a lot less than everyone else, plus when the kids come over they can have their own rooms.
As I walked inside the little pony jumped and I let my arms go as she hovered crookedly and drifted slowly to the left then fell with a light ‘thud’ on the carpeted floor. I lived on the ground floor in a corner apartment and the rent kept the next unit free for the time being, so I figured having a visitor would go unnoticed.
I knew ponies had a vegetarian diet, and given my job I always had a few veggies in the house, so I rough chopped some carrots, onions and celery, put them into a bowl and set it on the table without thinking. As I went to start to clean up the little one had pulled a chair out, climbed up and was beginning to eat.
“Huh,” I said aloud, “So, you have human table manners, mostly,” I said the last work with a chuckle, as I saw she was nose deep in the bowl, hooves pulling her up onto the table, wings fluttering, she was pushing food out of the bowl, some of the food making its way onto the floor.
Smiling I watched as she scarfed the vegetables down, she stopped suddenly and looked at me, “Wah-tah,” she stated, then went back to eating.
Water? How should I give it to her? In a bowl, in a cup, should I put it on the floor or get a few towels ready just in case?
“Wah-tah, peas,” she said while chomping the last of the food in the bowl as she began to nibble the food on the table. I got a plastic cup my daughter loved and poured about an ounce of water in it and brought it to her, she grabbed it with her hooves, raised it to her mouth and, in one gulp, it was gone.
Smiling she held the cup to me and nodded and took the cup to refill it and heard her hop down and begin munching off the floor. I ran over and picked her up quickly cautioning her against eating off the floors because various parent reasons before I realized, ‘Hey dingus, she’s a pony. 99% of all her food is from the floor.’
Then I continued my thought, ‘But, if that’s the case, why is she eating off the table, with some semblance of manners? None of this makes much sense.’ Looking at her as she looked around the floor at the food I let her go, reluctantly. ‘How am I going to manage this? How do I go about taking care of a pony for a couple days?’
Standing up I grabbed the cup and looked at it, my mind raced briefly as I recalled the images on the side, it was a pony from that show my daughter watched a couple times, my tiny pony, or something. Filling the cup half way I gave it to the little pony and jogged to my computer to look it up. “My Little Pony,” I said aloud, foolishly.
After reading on the program for only a few minutes Derpy began pulling my leg and looked concerned, “What’s wrong, Derpy?”
“Gotta pop,” she looked at me, and I knew what she meant, I grabbed her up and ran to the bathroom and pointed, “You know how?” She looked at me like I asked her something silly, she fluttered her wings and floated to the rim, I turned and heard he go. As brief as it was she giggled and hopped down, I heard her hooves clopping on the floor. As I turned around she was, well, lets say finishing up and flushed the toilet.
‘Wow,’ I thought in amazement, ‘table manners, potty trained and knows how to use TP, she can speak, fly, what next?” I followed her as she walked from the bathroom, through my sons bedroom then back to the living/dining room and hopped into my favorite chair. She looked at the TV and cocked her head.
“Fire, story. Where daddy?” I could only sit on the couch and look at her as I took it in. Her dad would read her stories by the fire. But he wasn’t here today. That meant I had to play the roll; getting up I told her to wait a moment and got a story from my daughters bookshelf and sat on the chair, Derpy hopping up and landing on my lap.
I opened it and she looked at the book, then at me, smiled big, with her eyes misaligned and looked back at the book, I began to read about a small train that was friends with a bird. When I said bird Derpy hopped in joy, “Bird! Red bird is daddy’s favorite, yellow is Derpy’s favorite, because yellow is best of all.”
Smiling I continued and quickly finished the book, then another and another, and another. As I finished the third page of the last book little Derpy had fallen asleep and tipped over, her face landing on the heavy tear resistant page.
I picked her up and laid her on the floor, covered her with a blanket, then did the same, laying and quickly falling asleep on the couch. I woke up to the sound of something heavy falling and jumped up, looking below me to see the little filly missing, I ran to the kitchen scared at what I might find. I stopped suddenly and burst into laughter.
Standing in the middle of the floor was Derpy, covered head to foot with whole wheat flour, a sad expression on her face, her ears back and her little tail tucked under her body. Her wings fluttered slightly as I walked closer, her head dropping to the floor and her eyes looking at me slightly, puppy like almost.
I picked her up and brushed her off, chuckling as I did. She was afraid as I held her, I knelt down and asked her if she had made the mess. I looked at her and the flour around her eyes had began to stiffen, turning to dough. Smiling I said, “That was a great drop, look at this, your first mess. Ha, I thought it would be worse.”
Sniffling, she looked at me puzzled, like I was supposed to do more. I put her into the sink and turned on the water, testing it to make sure it was slightly above warm. As it filled I cleaned up the flour without a problem then watched as the little pony played with the water coming out of the faucet. Grabbing some old baby soap I had in the bathroom I quickly washed the flour off her.
As the dough came off she giggled a lot and began splashing heavily when she saw bubbles in the water. I rubbed her tail between my soapy hands making a huge fluff of bubbles appear to which she completely lost it. She screamed and began chasing her tail in the sink, splashing half the water out in a second.
I wasn’t mad at all though. On the contrary, I laughed as I grabbed the spray nozzle and began showering her. I realized I was in over my head when she stopped, stood up in the nearly empty sink, then shook fast spraying water full of dough bits across the ceiling and walls. ‘Oy, this is going to be fun,’ I thought to myself as I picked her up and laid her on a towel.
“Now, I don’t think Derpy is a good name, I haven’t seen you do anything silly, so I’m going to call you Bubbles, okay?”
“I Derpy, Bubbles? Bubbles are Derpy’s most favorite.”
“I know, bubbles are great and Derpy is great, so Derpy is Bubbles,” I said quickly.
“Derpy is bubbles ‘cuz bubbles are my most favorite, so Derpy is Bubbles,” she said excitedly, beginning to hop out of the towel.
“That’s right, you are Bubbles, because bubbles are the best and our most favorite.”
I was beginning to notice that Bubbles was articulate, but slower than I think she could be, ‘She could be mentally slow, which could mean that her being at that tree was maybe not a coincidence, but an act of mercy or banishment. What if she was going to be killed because of her difference from the rest. Human history is full of civilizations that had little tolerance for handicapped individuals.’
I made a quick meal of sautéed vegetables, the same as before, only cooked this time, and a half cup of water for her. While deciding what I should do she began to eat and drink, and I chose to use the time wisely.
I decided to let her play with some of the younger kids’ toys I had in a box that I put in the living room while I researched the show, having a lot of fan fiction and art didn’t help. No one referenced this little pony. Bubbles and Derpy yielded no results and grey Pegasus pony with yellow mane was a stupid thing to search for.
I decided to research ponies as a life form on earth, finding so little correlation to the foal playing with cars and dolls in my living room I decided to stop and begin to try to find out what I could from her.
Laying down on my stomach next to her as she played I began to ask what happened, the story took my breath away. She told me the story with dolls which made it easier to understand.
Gleaning what I could from her story she lived in the clouds with her parents, her mother was seriously depressed and had tried to unsuccessfully poison her, after Bubbles recovered she had been abandoned here.
What kind of monstrous mother would do that, try to kill then abandon her child? Doing my best to hold a smile I watched as she played, as though the world was still the way it was, like her parents were coming to pick her up soon and she’d tell her daddy about the mess she made. I couldn’t think of a way to tell her I didn’t know if she was ever going home.
*
Today Derpy was at a tree blowing bubbles and the bubbles had all the colors in them and it was so much fun Derpy made lots and lots until the bubbles stopped.
Derpy looked for mommy and Sweetie but didn’t see them even, and then she saw a new creature that she never saw before who sat and watched Derpy play.
Derpy looked for daddy because the sky was red and daddy comes home when the sky is red and Derpy was going to tell daddy about the bubbles and how mommy took Derpy up high and it was scary but not too scary, though.
The tall thing was on his two back legs only and didn’t have wings and didn’t have hooves and moved funny but he talked nice and Derpy went with him to his house because it was cold out and Derpy doesn’t have her hat or scarf even, so it was warm and it was a big house.
Not as big as mommies and daddies house but it was big and a lot of new stuff was there and Derpy got vegetables for dinner and water even, but she made a mess and was scared Derpy would be in trouble but she wasn’t and the thing smiled and was happy, so Derpy was happy, and got lots of water and food and it was good.
The man thing let Derpy sleep on the floor with a blanket and it was warm and there was music that was new and Derpy liked it and was sleeping and woke up when it was still dark out and the man thing was asleep and didn’t want to play, but Derpy did, so Derpy went to a room with toys and played with a cart.
It was fun and then Derpy was tired again and went to sleep again and woke up and wanted muffins and remembered mommy maked the muffins easy and she would help and make muffins for the man thing and they would be purple muffins because purple muffins are her most favorite.
Derpy found the flour in the top of a door on top and when she was trying to fly she didn’t move so good and falled far and the flour falled far and was everywhere and the man thing came running and Derpy was scared the man thing was mad and was going to yell like mommy yells and makes Derpy feel sad.
The man thing picked up Derpy and was nice and smiled and laughed and Derpy stopped being scared and got a bath with bubbles. There were a lot of bubbles and it smelled good and felt good and the water was good and the man thing made bubbles in Derpys’ tail and mane and a lot of them tasted bad but they looked fun and then the water was all gone and then it was raining on Derpy and then she was all clean.
It was Derpys most favorite bath ever even.
Derpy got a hot breakfast of vegetables and the man thing ate with Derpy but ate milk and oats and Derpy doesn’t like oats right now so she ate her vegetables.
Daddy is going to come home today when the sky is red and take Derpy home and it will be a long fly and daddy won’t take Derpy up high and it won’t be scary and it will be fun and she will hold Ms. Sweetie because she’s warm and soft and she’ll tell daddy all about the man thing and the vegetables and mommy will make muffins.
*
I had to go to work, and I had no one else to call over to help with Bubbles except my ex. She arrived begrudgingly after agreed to ‘pet sit,’ complaining the whole time until she saw my little Bubbles, playing in the kids’ room with some dolls. I had to laugh as my ex choked back a scream of excitement and confusion.
She had seen the show, in the background, as the kids watched and she cleaned or did, whatever, she did. She pulled me into the hallway and we began to talk about the situation, where I found her, what she told me. Her various human-like skills and abilities, and her possible handicap.
At the end of our brief discussion the little pony hopped out of the room and tripped over her feet, falling onto the laminated floor and slipping slightly. Both my ex and I gasped and went to pick the little pony up, me yielding to let her motherly instincts, I allowed her to pick up and cradle the sobbing filly.
Quickly Bubbles was happy again and us adults regarded each other, for the first time in a long time, we had something in common. And we both knew it had to be a secret, for as long as it could be.
*
Ah, so much has happened. The kids now have a new little sister, haha. My Little Sister Pony my daughter called Bubbles. Everyone laughed when she said that. She’s almost 8 years old and loves ponies, so I guess I fulfilled her girlish wish, in a way. I’ve told her that in no way is Bubbles a pet and should be treated like a secret member of the family, she still is beaming.
My son is 13, he’s actually a very good kid. He’s hopefully skipping that whole defiance stage his mother and I had, and will keep Bubbles’ existence a secret.
Bubbles has taken to her new name, not referring to herself as ‘Derpy’ at all. She is inquisitive and enjoys the visits from my, our family. We have been spending a lot of time as a group, a family, drawing and telling stories. I’ve been making up a few tales about Pegasus’, partly inspired by ancient legends and tales.
Bubbles’ eyes always seem to align and focus on me when I tell the tales, often speaking about how her daddy is a Pegasus and will teach her to fly. At first we thought this to be funny, but she doesn’t seem to understand why we laughed. Then it dawned on all of us that she believes her dad will show up any moment to pick her up and take her home.
*
Bubbles hasn’t seen her Pegasus daddy for a while now and its hard for bubbles to remember him and mommy too even. The man thing is nice and he has more man things that are big like him and little like Bubbles too and its fun to play with them.
They come when the sun is down but Bubbles’ Pegasus daddy isn’t home yet so she doesn’t want to forget to tell him so she is remembering a lot and is talking better now too so she can tell her Pegasus daddy all about her new friends that are nice to her and play with her and the man things that are nice to Bubbles too.
*
Well, another day with Bubbles. She had a bathroom related accident and was terrified we’d hurt or yell, she was sobbing trying to sit in front of it trying to hide it. I explained it was an accident and it happens, but that she should tell us so we can clean it up as quickly as we can. She is slowly trusting us more and more, and is becoming confident in a way I haven’t seen her yet.
My kids, her new siblings, have been teaching her colors and numbers. She’s a unique creature, she draws using her mouth, drinks with her hooves, and has nearly full human mannerisms. We are falling in love with her, and each other.
*
Its been almost a month since my last entry, Bubbles is doing great and the family is spending almost everyday together, like a real family. I can’t believe I missed this all those years. We’re watching movies now, but we are staying away from her show, just in case. My daughter tried to take Bubbles to school in her suitcase for show and tell. I didn’t know schools did that anymore.
It was easy to stop since why would a 7 year old girl need a suitcase for school, I stopped her and opened the bag, letting Bubbles out. She gasped for air, the air thinning faster than I thought I would, I pulled the little filly out and held her tight. I explained to my human daughter that Bubbles can’t go outside to school.
Our little Bubbles chimed in, “I went to school and all the ponies were loud and talking loud and it was fun and Derpy, I mean, Bubbles had fun, then a big pony was there that looked like daddy but it wasn’t daddy but Derpy, Bubbles, I mean, wasn’t scared even. Bubbles didn’t like school, it was loud and now, Bubbles gets to be inside and have fun all the time.”
Her voice was so excited and bubbly I knew she was worth her name, even my daughter smiled, then said she hated school too, but couldn’t stay home. I stopped her and rushed her out before she said something it would take days to repair in our relationship.
Speaking of school, I’ve researched going back to pursue some education.
*
So, I’ve been helping Bubbles learn to fly. I made a risky choice and included my ex mother in law in our secret circle. I’m having trouble keeping this secret a secret as Bubbles gets older and she needs more space to live and exercise. My mother in law has a large plot of land in rural North Dakota, so I’ve been taking Bubbles there twice a week to practice her flying.
She’s learning so fast, I imagine this is how her father would have felt if he was here instead of me. I made a simple set of wings using a couple of kites from the hobby shop, and using simple aerodynamics I flowed my wings in unison like I was in the air and had her copy them. Slowly at first she copied me, then faster and faster until she spun in a circle and did two loops then crashed.
After I cared for her injuries she couldn’t wait to practice again, I told her to slow down and make sure her wings were in unison. She focused again and again until she began to hover in place. It was so exciting I jumped for joy, waving my arms. I laughed as she crashed into me, she had begun to copy my movements and bolted into my chest knocking me over.
I was so glad she didn’t get hurt, but that didn’t mean she was done, now she’ll hover all the time. I have to find a way to get her to move under her control now. This is way beyond my experience as a career cook. I have to figure this out fast, I love Bubbles, we all do, but having a Pegasus hovering in place gets in our way so much.
She can only hover for about 15 seconds with a rest between each try, but watching her little wings pumping and makes me smile. Plus we have a free fan during these hottest days of summer.
She was so cute when I first got her and she would float at an angle to her destination, now she knows better her little body is just staying still in place.
*
Bubbles’ Pegasus daddy is not home yet and she really misses him, and mommy too, but not as much. She has been having purple muffins a lot and they are her favorite. Her new daddy has been teaching Bubbles to fly like a real Pegasus pony and she is seeing better and moving better too and talking better too now, so when she sees her Pegasus daddy she can tell him a lot of stories now.
Bubbles almost went to school and was hiding in the bag but she had trouble breathing and it hurt to be bumped and then her new daddy helped her out and said lots of words and she couldn’t go to school with other mans, but it’s okay because Bubbles doesn’t like school even.
Bubbles is a Pegasus pony and daddy and the girl man are happy to see Bubbles fly and practice with her a lot and Bubbles is very happy and everyone is happy.
*
It’s been a great few months since I found my little Bubbles. She’s larger now, maybe half her full size, maybe she is full size. We don’t know given her odd circumstances as well as her disabilities what she could grow into physically, but mentally, she is a dynamo. Since coming into my home she’s learned all the colors of the rainbow she loves so much, as well as numbers 1-4. She’s better at eating too.
Flying is still a struggle for her, but I taught her to lean her head forward as she hovers to drift ahead slightly. From what I’ve researched I think she is about 7 years old, she said she had her birthday a bit ago and it was a yellow themed party. I’m guessing she’s due for another one in a couple months, so I’ll set up a little party with purple muffins. She loved blueberry and mixed berry, so that’s what we’re having instead of cake.
We got a bunk bed for the girls’ room, she happily uses all her energy to get to the top bunk to play and sleep. I got her a new stuffed animal, a little penguin. She named it Ms. Lovey. She takes it with her whenever she can, it’s a great sight; a little pony carrying a little doll in her mouth.
*
Bubbles is 10 years old now. It has been such a blessing having her. While it didn’t work out with my ex and I when we tried to get back together we are best friends, which is more than I could have ever asked for. I still live in the apartment and I think Bubbles is done growing, I’ve measured her using a large piece of hard plastic that’s usually used on bulletin boards. I measure her height then length and over the past few months it’s all but stopped recently now she’s 3 feet tall and weighs in at about 32 pounds.
She can fly finally and is really good, however when she moves her head to look at anything over her shoulders she loses control and flies off in any direction. She’s very smart, already near a 7 year old human level of learning. She can count to 20, knows her human (American) alphabet, and can read short stories herself.
We read two books a night to each other, first I read to her then she will read to me, she loves books about nature and birds. I don’t make up stories about Pegasus anymore, I couldn’t answer the questions she’d ask and all conversations would end with when her Daddy will be coming to get her. Even after three years she thinks he’ll walk in the door like not a day has passed.
*
I am all big now and can fly good even and loves her new daddy and mommy, but my new mommy is gone a lot of the time and the other kids are gone a long time too and when they come home its so much fun. I am reading too, and writing some words too now and have a book for my own writing and I’m writing good too.
New daddy is real nice and cooks lots of good foods and says I am getting so big because I am eating his good food. Mommy didn’t cook good food like this and will be happy to taste his good food and she’ll smile and Bubbles will smile and my Pegasus daddy will come home and be happy and I will tell him a big story and show him my book.
Daddy is teaching me numbers and letters and writing and is really happy a lot and teaches me a lot of new things a lot and how to cook some too, but the fire is scary and it hurt her once when she touched it and she cried and her new daddy made it better real fast, then gave me a candy and it was all better!
*
Today I think all hell broke loose. Bubbles is in the hospital. A Human Hospital. I’m in the waiting room trembling.
*
So, here’s what happened. We were going to leave for the country again to get her some good practice in flying. As we were packing the car she saw a bird and took off after it, bolting out of the car faster than I could react. She began flying about 6 feet off the ground after the bird toward a highway that runs through our town.
I’d never yelled so loud, I was shouting for Bubbles to stop not caring about the noise I made as a scrambled after her. I didn’t care about getting found, just about her flying into traffic, then it happened: a semi came barreling at her, she banked and turned back to see me running a block behind her as the truck clipped her hind quarters sending her into a heavy spin and landing half a block away from me.
I panicked and ran through the snowy street and slid to a stop on top of her, the truck had stopped and the driver thought he had hit a dog until her got up to us. His mouth was open so far I thought I could count his fillings. Bubbles was crying, her back left leg was obviously broken and blood was oozing from a cut on her lower thigh.
I didn’t know what to do or where to go or who to call, I tried to pick her up but it hurt her too much, then the trucker took off his coat and laid it on the floor and slid her on it, then we carried her to his truck and we left for the ER. When I walked in I got looks like I was crazy, carrying a dog into a human ER.
That is until I uncovered her and she began to talk, “Daddy,” yeah, she started calling me daddy, “Are we in that good place with lots of fun?”
For a small town, or any town, I think the reaction was understandable. Only a few people were in our cities ER, and they gasped, the nurse jumped back and covered her mouth. I did the only thing I could think of and kind of always wanted to do, “IS THERE A DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE? I NEED HELP, HER LEG IS BROKEN,” I shouted at my loudest walking to the security door expecting it to fly open and a swat team of doctors with a super medical bed to appear like in the movies.
Nothing happened. The nurse came out of the secure area and handed me a clip board and told me I had to fill it out. I looked at her, my heart aching and my lip quivered, ‘even like this I’m not that important,’ I thought. I took the clip board and sat down and began filling out the insurance form and questionnaire, stifling sniffles.
The other patients were staring, only a random cough could be heard, I noticed medical personnel gathering and peeking at us, in disbelief. The trucker had parked and was sitting across from us. I guess he’s really worried too.
After I was half way through a doctor came out and informed me they didn’t treat ‘animals.’ “Animals? She’s not an animal, she’s family,” I laughed as I realized how cheezy that sounded, but the doctor looked at me and nodded slightly.
“Come with me, I’ll make some calls,” he stated as he guided me to the triage. Being a cook I’ve been here a few times with cuts and burns so I had an idea of the layout, we were led to a large room with one bed in the middle, and I laid her on it. I asked if the trucker could come in, he arrived shortly. Together we talked about, of all things, My Little Pony. We kept a lot of references quiet and mumbled the names of others so as to keep Bubbles in the dark about her world.
Nurses and doctors kept coming by the door, from all over the hospital, gawking at my little Bubbles. I looked at her cutie mark, bruised and swollen it was almost black from the bruising. I kept consoling her whenever she’d begin to weep from the pain, “Daddy, my legs hurts, big hurts,” she would weep. I’d caress her face in my hands and look at her and reassure her.
“Sweetie, we have some of the best healers, they’ll fix you, okay?” She smiled when I said that, I did too, even though I was as worried as any parent. Not only was my baby injured, but now it was probably on the internet, tens of thousands of people know by now and the whole world by the end of the week. What am I to do?
*
Bubbles was hurt big today when a big big truck drived into her and she fell and got hurt and was crying and daddy was crying and then she was taken to the white place, but this time it was all humans, no more ponies except for Bubbles were there.
Daddy was next to Bubbles the whole time like Bubbles’ Pegasus daddy and she was given medicine and was in a machine that boomed a lot and Bubbles liked it a lot because it sounded like drums that daddy listened to with his rock and roll music and he was holding Bubbles hooves and it was really comfy.
There were doctors and nice people who were looking at Bubbles all day, she didn’t even sleep because she wasn’t sleepy at all! It was so much fun and she got to see almost every human on earth and all of them are earth mans because none of them have wings like Bubbles so they can’t live in the clouds like her Pegasus mommy and daddy want to live in.
Bubbles was crying some times because her leg hurt under her cutie mark and then she got medicine and it stopped hurting and Bubbles was dizzy and laughing a lot at her new daddy and it was really silly and then she went to sleep. It was a big sleep and when she woke up she couldn’t move her leg and her new daddy told her they had to cut her and make it better to stop hurting.
It didn’t hurt even so it was better, then they put this white stuff on my legs and it was cold and scary and a lot of men were holding her and then they were done and she had a yellow leg and then a lot of her friends were writing on it and it’s really fun because yellow is Bubbles’ favorite and its yellow like mommy is yellow all over.
*
Well, yesterday was something; the world knows about Bubbles. She is in the hospital, a human hospital at that, in the children’s ward under guard. She has a steady flow of medical visitors, x-ray scans and various million dollar machines are beaming her DNA across the planet. I have been here at the hospital all day, and i honestly can’t wait for the buzz to die down. I’ve been by her side constantly, no one is going to take advantage of her on my watch.
Finally the whole scans are done, blood has been taken, tears have been shed and pictures have been taken, she’s finally relaxing. She absolutely loved the attention though, it’s the most interaction she’s had in years and so far it’s going a lot better than I thought it would. Everyone has been very accepting and accommodating.
I asked for her to get visitors from other children, who lined up at the door to touch and talk to a pony. They asked why she was in the hospital, asked when she was going to get a cast and if they could sign it and, of course, for pictures. Bubbles is so happy, I understand why she loves hospitals. Maybe she can be a nurse when she grows up. I think she’ll live to be about 60, so that’s a long time to make a career.
*
Bubbles went into surgery yesterday and they set her bones and gave her a metal implant of some kind. She’s going to get her cast on soon, so this should be interesting.
*
Bubbles has her cast on and set. She was a handful to hold still while it set, they had to call in two vets to perform the cast while doctors did rock-paper-scissors to see who would get to hold her down, the winners were smiling ear to ear, knowing they were taking part in history. “Guys, you know this is just a cast, right?” They didn’t care about my jokes, they were touching a talking pony getting a cast. They could talk about this for the rest of their lives.
She has a yellow cast, of course, and people are all so excited to sign it. It took an hour for her to run out of space so people began overlapping their messages. It’s so cute to watch her giggle at the attention she needs.
I’ve gotten a large cardboard card and we’re getting people to sign it and I’ll surprise her with it later tonight.
*
We were discharged today, they tried to get her to sit still in a wheel chair, butshe was so excited to go outside she can’t stop floating, her wings gusting up the gowns of people lining the halls as we leave. Trying to keep her under control I began telling her stories about my last visit to the hospital for a cut on my hand.
She landed and sat in the chair as I spoke, watching me as we exited to a hail of cameras and microphones. Bubbles jumped into my arms and hid her face in fear at the onslaught of questions overwhelmed both our senses.
I had to hold my hand over her head to keep her calm while I motioned for silence from the reporters, “People, please. We’ve been through a lot and I will answer you this, her name is Bubbles, she’s my adoptive daughter, I’ve had her for three years and we love her, so please be quiet for her sake, and I’ll answer questions after she’s comfortably at home.”
With that the roar of questions resumed and I pushed my way to my car. My family inside, the trucker had shown up and helped us push through the swarm. Once inside the car I regarded him and we parted ways, unsure if we’d ever meet again.
The drive home was quiet, even Bubbles was silent, looking out the window of the car as we turned through the town, pulling into our alley we saw another swarm of reporters, this time we couldn’t even pull into our parking space, so I hugged Bubbles and opened the door.
-
The roar of questions downed each other out into a mumble, Bubbles looked around in awe at the people. She’d never seen so many and wondered if this was everyone in the city, here to welcome her home after being hurt, ‘Maybe they want to sign Bubbles cast too, there is no space left, maybe they can sign Bubbles arms.”
Pushing through they smiled through the crowd and cameras to their door, turned the handle and went in, “I’m going to have to start locking my doors now,” the man sighed, placing Bubbles down he sat in his recliner and held his phone is his hand and texted his ex ‘Park anywhere, if you can get in I’ll see you soon.”
Time passed and Bubbles fluttered around the living room, landing on his lap with Ms. Lovey in her mouth, she began talking, mumbling more like, about her friends she made and when she’d see them again how she’d introduce them to Ms. Lovey. He smiled and leaned his chair back, resting his eyes, Bubbles fluttered off him, landing on the couch and began inspecting her cast leg.
Thinking of how lucky he was the roar of media questions became loud again, ‘I guess she’s coming in,’ he thought and smiled weakly, reaching for the handle to set his chair upright. Opening the door his ex backed in, turning around she looked at Bubbles, then the man, “Well, this is a can of hornets with lasers on their freaking heads.”
Both of them laughed out loud for a minute, “How long did it take you to think of that one?” he asked between breaths.
“Your favorite movie quote and a few other things,” She replied, holding her stomach. Calming down she asked, ‘So, what now? I parked down the street and had to fight my way in, I don’t think I’ll be walking out in the next few minutes. I just wanted to make sure you were both okay, I guess I could have called.”
“It’s not a problem, we’re going to need the company. Look how excited she is, she’d fly to the moon if she could.”
“Or, over it,” the woman joked.
“Seriously?” he looked at her with sarcasm, they both laughed again.
“Bubbles likes today, it’s her most favorite day. Can Bubbles get more writing?” asked the happy mare, rocking slightly side to side.
“Hmm, I think, I think I have an idea,” the man stated. Getting up he jogged to the kitchen and grabbed something, then to his bedroom, “I’ll be right out,” he called.
Both Bubbles and the woman wondered what he was doing, looking at each other they both shrugged.
Returning with a white flat sheet he opened it, written across the top was ‘Media Loves Bubbles’ with a heart on each side, “I’ll be right back,” he said as he headed for the door. Opening the door the news media turned on him and began inundating him with questions, he began to open the sheet and the questions silenced.
“Please can you all sign this? I’ll hang it in her room so she can look at it. She said this is her most favorite day, and I believe this is a great way to remember it,” he held a permanent marker to a female reporter, “Please?” he smiled.
She took the marker and looked around at the silent crowd then signed her name, then passed it to another and they began signing, clapping and cheering, even the cameramen signed, with some encouragement. Holding it up in front of him he backed to his door, opened it and went inside. He saw the TV was on and the girls were staring at the event smiling.
“Bubbles get a blanket with names!?” Bubbles beamed smiling, her wings fluttering out of synch.
“Yes, it’s a memory for one of your most favorite days,” he said opening the sheet revealing names, symbols of happiness and happy quotes, “Lets wait to hang this in your room until we get it full, okay?”
“Okay, daddy, I love today, it’s Bubbles most favorite day,” Bubbles said again.
“Well, this is going to be a long couple weeks. I don’t know about going to work now, I can’t leave her alone and I know you’re not scheduled to watch her until Wednesday, and that’s two days away. I can’t leave her alone, you know. What’s the plan?” he asked.
“I think the last thing you need to worry about it work, just worry about Bubbles. I’m going to go, I’ve got two kids to look after too, and school will be out soon,” the woman said.
After another hour of playing and talking about the days events the woman left, struggling through the media, not saying anything, she was gone. The man and Bubbles played on the floor with her toys killing time. Dinner came and went, story time came and went, bed time was nearly impossible with a hyper pony staring at her signed sheet with a huge smile.
She couldn’t wait to go back to the happy place, it was always so much fun, however she didn’t want to be hurt again to go there, so maybe she’d get to go if she asked. The whole next day was spent with her asking to go back to the hospital and phone calls from local and international media outlets. He turned off his phone and decided that they needed to go to the park.
Now that she was known he could really take her to the park, ‘Finally, I can treat her like a real girl, pony, pony-girl?’ As he tried to think of what to call he began to gather his coat, gloves and boots to the excitement of Bubbles. She knew he was going out and he’d be taking her, so maybe it was to go to the happy place.
He put on his gear and wrapped her in a yellow scarf and hat, picked her up and walked out the door. The media was light this time, the cold keeping them in their trucks or cars. Seeing the door open they began to swarm as he, with Bubbles in arms, walked to the park, the media in close pursuit.
They hadn’t been to the park in almost four years, since he found her under the tree. Looking around Bubbles didn’t know what to make of the structures as he walked her around them, explaining what they were. He gave her a slow swing ride, a trip down the slide and a walk around an upturned boat.
Bubbles’ joy began to rise as she began to explore the area, her wings carrying her around to the various sights and play things she returned to him and shouted ,”Swing me, daddy.”
The media, who was keeping a distance heard Bubbles and gasped, “Did she say ‘daddy’?” they inquired amongst themselves, beginning to become loud again they started shouting questions. Looking at yelling people Bubbles smiled and wrestled free from the man and flew to the media faster than he could catch her.
She barreled at the gaggle of people stopping a few feet from them, blowing a cold gust of wind at them making them shout in fear and from the stinging cold, “You like Bubbles’ flying? Daddy taught her to fly! When she flies she moves very fast and goes very high and can see lots of things and clouds and cars and sometimes people, but daddy doesn’t like me to fly far and one time Bubbles flew far up high and saw a lot of things, and daddy was crying when I came back.”
As Bubbles rambled a long story the media listened intently, not asking anything, microphones aimed at her, catching every word. She landed and continued her long story as he walked up behind her. Picking her up her let her talk and tell her story, her wings brushed against him as she unfurled them during her story about gliding in the country.
As she finished her story she beamed and looked at her father, “I love my daddy,” was all she had to say, he smiled and squeezed her tight, “Ow, daddy leg hurts.”
Releasing his grip he looked at her and said, “I love you too, sweetie.” They walked back to the swings and continued playing, looking as a few parents showed up with their kids to see the flying mare. “Look mommy, it’s Bubbles, it’s really her,” a child shouted and pointed.
Bubbles smiled and looked at the children and squealed, putting her hooves to her mouth in excitement, “Daddy, daddy, can I play?”
“Okay, but be careful and don’t hurt yourself or them,” he said calmly with a nod. Quickly Bubbles took off and began flying to the approaching group. The parents guarded their children, unsure of this creature flying at them. After Bubbles introduced herself she flew to the slide and began sliding, flying to the top again and again, calling to the children to come slide.
The children were released and ran to join Bubbles on the playground to the delight of everybody, they played for an hour. It was clear to everyone that Bubbles was mentally slow, but she played fine, even with one less leg she kept up and often passed the children as they played tag and hide and seek, flying into a tree to hide, or into the air to find the hiding children from above, winning the games.
After an eventful few hours they returned home tired and happy.
*
It’s been an adventure for sure, I have a publicist, and I’m managing Bubbles’ little career. We’ve been on a dozen talk shows and she even did a fly by for an air show. She’s doing great and loves the attention. We’ve gotten enough money to move into a real house, so I have one lined up by the park, so she can play every day.
Bubbles remembered the tree I found her at and likes to nap there and once it gets warm we’ll blow bubbles again. I still have the bowl and wand, and it’ll be nice to take it out of storage. It’s nice to see how well the world has taken to her. I get dozens of letters a day, only a few bad ones a week, but I’ve gotten a volunteer group to read them for us and send us the best ones.
I read them to Bubbles while she holds Ms. Lovey every night before dinner. I don’t have to work anymore too, I’ve saved enough to live for a dozen years comfortably.
There are therapists and counselors that we see too, Bubbles is a high functioning mentally handicap individual. She is, in essence, a human in a pony body. I told them that, but they had to test her still I guess. She enjoys every minute with people, and everyone enjoys her too. She’s begun to use me and I statements more too, which is great to see her developing.
*