Now that we were out of the playoffs, I could relax. I still had to work out, but I had more time to chill with Rainbow and watch the other teams fight for the title.

I put the games on my DVR, because I didn't feel like staying home to watch them live. I really wanted to take Rainbow out today, so I decided to take her to Beavers Bend State Park, which was about three and a half hours southwest of Oklahoma City and was pretty secluded, so there wasn't much chance of her being seen. I had never been to the state park myself, so the experience was new for both of us.

I wound up trying fishing for the first time, and decided to go with the catch-and-release method, as I wasn't comfortable eating fish right out of a body of water.

I saw some interesting wildlife, but I don't think Rainbow was that interested. I also tried golfing, but I ended up quitting out of frustration. There was a lodge, but I decided to head back home. I regretted that decision when I almost fell asleep on I-40 and was snapped awake by the ridges on the median. I quickly thanked God and was much more awake after that.

When I arrived home, I was wondering how Rainbow Dash had felt after I almost crashed, but when I looked behind me she was asleep in the back. I was tired but found the strength to carry her inside, and once she was taken care of I flopped onto the couch and fell asleep myself.

When I woke up the next morning, the sun was just starting to rise. It was early, so I assumed I was the only one awake. I decided to take a walk outside and gather my thoughts, which had really been all over the place lately.

It didn't really help as much as I'd hoped. I sat down at my kitchen table and thought for a minute. I decided to call DB. It had been a while since I had last spoken to him.

He wakes up early to exercise, so I knew he'd pick up. He answered on the fourth ring.

"Hey man, I'm in the middle of something, can I call you back later?" he asked.

"Sure," I said. He hung up. I put my iPhone on the table in front of me and stared at my reflection in the black screen. My life had been such a rollercoaster since I got drafted. Sometimes I wonder where I would be if I had driven to the draft rather than taking a bus. It's something I've pored over so much it's become a habit for me.

I didn't do much during the offseason, as I spent most of my time at the gym or shooting hoops at the practice facility. The time I spent at home I spent with Rainbow, though, as I said, we didn't do much. I usually just didn't feel like going anywhere.

One night I was watching an adult comedy movie with Rainbow next to me when, near the end, the TV shut off and the lights went out. Rainbow Dash, who I assumed either had never experienced a power outage or was deathly afraid of them, hugged me tight and didn't let go even as I got up to look out the window.

The streetlamps were dark and so were the other houses. It was a blackout.

I didn't bother to grab a flashlight. I sat back down on the couch and waited. Rainbow was silent.

When the power returned she still seemed shaken up. I couldn't help but ask about it.

"Are you afraid of the dark or something?" I asked.

"Sometimes," she replied.

I put the movie back on and watched till the end, and when it was over I asked Rainbow a serious question.

"Do you ever wanna go back home?" I asked. I wasn't fond of these serious moments, but the thought had been bothering me for a while now.

"I-I don't know," she replied. "I wanna see my friends again, but I don't wanna leave you."

That shocked me. This pony had been in my life for about a year, as opposed to however many years it spent in its actual home. It really was crazy how much of a difference a year could make.

"How?" I replied. "I'm assuming you have tons of people, or...ponies, waiting for you back in...where are you from?"

"Equestria."

"Equestria," I finished. "I enjoy spending time with you but I also know that sooner or later, you'll be going back home."

"I know," she said. "But I hope that day doesn't come for a long time."

I wasn't ready for a touchy-feely moment, so I just nodded. I didn't know what to say. Rainbow Dash was like a foster child to me. Letting her go wouldn't be easy, and just like her, I didn't want that day to come for a long time.

Author's Note

This chapter is a jumbled piece of crud, so my apologies for that.

I haven't been able to find organized writing time, so I usually just randomly write a little bit then go do something else. Hopefully I can write more this year, and give you guys some better chapters.

Happy New Year!