PART 1: SPRING
Colgate looked up from her tiny workbench when she heard her employer drop his screwdriver. “Are you alright, Doctor?” she asked, only half concerned. After working with him for years, she was used to his
“I’m fine,” he said and resumed his work, “but you should go attend to our customer.”
“Customer? But I didn’t hear the door-“she was interrupted by the bell ringing from the front of the store “-open.” With a sigh, she stood up from her bench and stretched. On the workbench was a clock she had been working on for hours. The Doctor had already completed two. She made some mental notes about the clock before stepping out to the front of the store.
Still stretching, Colgate failed to notice the customer was looking at her as she walked out. However, she could feel a kink in her back and she was going to get it if it killed her. When she heard the satisfying pop, she opened her eyes and noticed the customer was staring at her. “Oh,” she said, flushing. I just cost us a sale, didn’t I? “Welcome! Are you finding everything alright? Need any help?”The only help she’ll need after this is to jam a sock in my mouth.
The customer must have noticed the apprentice’s flustered speech and smiled. “Actually, I think I do need help, Miss… Colgate?” she said, reading off of her handwritten name tag. Just like everyone else who ever met her, the customer’s eyes drifted to Colgate’s blue and white hair. She had become immune to the looks as she grew older. The hair color wasn’t the problem, everyone had colorful hair. The customer’s hair was dull purple! People only stared because her parents named her after toothpaste and she, coincidentally, had hair that was colored like toothpaste.
“Well, that’s what I’m here for!” Colgate said with a friendly smile when the customer had kept staring.
“Oh, I was staring, wasn’t I? I’m sorry it’s just…”
“Don’t worry, I get that a lot. So what’re you having trouble with?” It’s a clock store, dummy. What do you think she needs help with.
“I’m having problems picking,” the customer said and looked at the wall covered with clocks. Colgate’s eyes drifted to the one clock she had made and hoped it would finally sell. However, she knew that pushing her own work onto someone was wrong.
“Have you narrowed it down?” Colgate asked as she stepped out from behind the counter. As she stood next to the customer, she noticed that she smelled like sweat and grapes. Her clothes, as light, purple t-shirt and blue jeans, were also wrinkled and dirty. Maybe she works at the vineyard? Colgate wondered. Then she noticed the customer was staring at her again. Ah shoot, she had been talking!? she thought. “I see,” she said, hoping the customer wouldn’t walk out of the store.
“So what do you think?” the customer asked. Colgate noticed that the customer’s face was slightly flushed, and a distant part of her wondered why. “Maybe this one would do well in the den?” Colgate looked at the clock in question. It was relatively simple, nothing more than a black, wood frame with a white face. Practical yet unremarkable.
“What color is the furniture in the room?” Colgate asked.
“Huh?”
“You wouldn’t want to get something that clashes with everything else, would you?”
“No, I suppose you’re right, but I thought that black goes with everything.”
“Oh, um, I guess that’s true.” You’re an idiot. “Well, without seeing the room it’s going in, I’ll say this is a fine choice,” Colgate ended with a smile. The customer looked at the clock again, her cheeks turning red once more. “Are you alright, ma’am?” Colgate asked. She thought it was cool in the store, thanks to the Doctor turning the air condition on.
“I’m fine, I’m fine,” she quickly said. “I’ll take the clock.” Relieved, Colgate took the clock off of the wall and brought it to the counter.
“Alright, that’ll be twenty bits,” she said. While the customer counted out the money, Colgate put the clock in a box.
“How rude, I never introduced myself. My name is Berry,” the customer said as she handed over the money. Colgate took the money, and their hands touched for a few moments, making Berry jump. She laughed nervously and said, “Sure is cold in here, huh?”
“Nah, you get used to it. So is there anything else I can help you with today?”
Berry looked Colgate in the eye then quickly looked elsewhere. “Uhm, nope! The clock is all I needed today.”
“Are you sure you’re feeling alright?” Colgate asked and raised an eyebrow.
“Yep! Never better! Thanks for the help,” Berry said and picked up her box.
“Alrighty, see you later, Berry!” Colgate said with, what she hoped to be, a friendly smile. Berry returned the smile and nearly ran out of the store. Colgate thought she heard Berry gasp for air as soon as she was out of the door. How strange. With a shrug, she walked back to her workbench to see the Doctor hastily remove a black cape and a fake moustache. I don’t even want to know, she thought and went back to work.
Berry had walked two blocks from the clock store before her heart slowed down. Gah, she must think I’m crazy! What does it matter, anyway? I’ll never see her again. She looked at her watch and saw that her daughter was already out of school and should be home by then. Berry smiled and figured she would go home, make dinner for the two of them, have some wine, then go to bed. A return to normality sounded like a great plan.
However, try as she might, Berry’s thoughts drifted back to her time in the clock store, or specifically Colgate. She seemed nice, and she’s probably around my age. And her smile! I thought I was going to melt! Berry felt her face burning at the memory. Another thought came unbidden, I wonder if she likes girls.
“Hi, Berry!” someone called from behind, startling Berry from her thoughts.
“Oh, hi, Bon Bon,” Berry said. She scolded herself for being too jumpy.
“How’s it going? I haven’t seen you in… are you alright? You look like you’re burning up.”
“Uh, I think I might have a bit of a problem,” she said and tightened her grip on the box. Seeing her friend’s concerned expression, Berry added, “Do you mind if we talk about it in private?”
Berry finally felt like her head had stopped spinning when Bon Bon put a cup of tea in front of her. After asking for some privacy, her hospitable friend had whisked her away to her house three blocks away. She had somehow kept her grip on the clock.
“So what’s wrong?” Bon Bon asked, leaning forward expectantly.
Berry ran her finger around the rim of the cup while she said, “I met someone today.” She took another drink, and part of her wished it was wine instead. “A girl at the clock shop. Why are you looking at me like that?”
Bon Bon had leaned back on her couch, running a finger over one of the little flowers embroidered into the fabric. She had also tilted her head and raised an eyebrow. “Just getting comfortable,” she said. After a brief pause, she slowly said, “So you have a crush on Colgate?”
“You know her?” Berry asked, her nerves tightening.
“Yep! She comes over to play cards with us sometimes. If we were serious about the bets, she would’ve made us homeless.” Berry smiled at her friend’s joke. She thought it was a joke. “So what’s the problem?”
“I’m kind of out of practice, y’know, with dating.”
“You can’t be that bad at it,” said a new voice. Berry was thankful that her tea cup was already empty, lest she spill any on the floor with her jumping.
“Lyra!” Bon Bon said and leapt from her seat to hug her partner. Berry kept her head facing forward to give them some privacy. She heard them kissing and blushed.
Lyra put her hand on Berry’s shoulder and said, “How’s it going?”
“I’ve been better.”
“I can tell. You’re usually not blushing so much. It’s not like a little kiss has ever freaked you out before.”
“It’s not you two.”
“Oh, right. Gah, and I walked in on the conversation too! So who is the lucky person? Girl? Guy?”
“Dear, you’re not helping!” Bon Bon said.
“I’ve heard that before. Maybe I’ll just go make some dinner.”
“You stay away from the kitchen. You are forbidden from cooking!”
“Victory,” Lyra said and fell onto the couch with a smile. Then she looked at Berry and the clock box. “Oooooh, you’ve got a crush on the Doctor! Kind of a strange guy, I guess. Wait, isn’t he married?”
Bon Bon sat next to Lyra and was about to speak, but Berry said, with a heavy blush, “Wrong employee.” I need a drink.
“Oh! Well let’s not waste any time sitting around. I’ll go invite Colgate to some cards!” Lyra said and jumped off the couch. She was at the door when Berry intercepted her.
“No, no, no, it’s way too soon!”
“But you have to start somewhere. Why don’t you start with friends?”
“Lyra, shut up,” Bon Bon said. “Berry, maybe you could try giving her a gift?” she snapped her fingers as a thought came to her. “You can go tomorrow and give her a ‘thank you’ present for the clock!”
“That… that’s a good idea,” Berry said. “But what do I give her?” When she was answered with shrugs, she said, “Oh come on, you’re friends with her! What would she like?”
“I’m sure she’ll like whatever you give her,” Bon Bon said reassuringly.
“Anything except-“ Lyra began but was interrupted by Berry’s yelp.
“How did it get so late? Sorry, I gotta go home! Thanks for your help!” She grabbed her clock and ran out of the house before the others could move.
Lyra looked at Bon Bon. “She has a young daughter. How can she be so bad at dating?”
“It could have been the guy doing all of the work. Otherwise, some things just can’t be explained. Like your ability to burn cereal.”
“Years of practice,” Lyra said with pride.
Colgate knocked on the door and waited. She looked forward to the card games with Lyra and Bon Bon. When Lyra opened the door, however, she noticed a bit of a glint in her friend’s eyes. “You ready to lose?” Colgate asked with a smile.
“I’m ready to play for real,” Lyra said and ushered her friend inside.
Bon Bon had put out a plate of snacks, as usual, and Colgate heard her humming in the kitchen. “Hey, Bon Bon, guess who I found in our trash cans!” Lyra called out.
“Hey, Bon Bon, guess what I found in your house!”
“You’re so mean to me, Colgate,” Lyra said with fake sadness.
Bon Bon came out of the kitchen with drinks. “Colgate, where did you find that mangy thing?”
“Har har,” Lyra said and fell on the couch. “You can stand for the whole game!”
As the cards were dealt, the conversation eventually tapered off as they concentrated on the game. Colgate safely trounced her friends, but she felt as if something was off. They were sneaking glances at each other, no surprises there, but it almost seemed like they had a secret. For the entire evening, Colgate expected some sort of a trick, or a prank at least, but nothing happened.
She walked home that night with a bag of candies, the only prize she won, and much to ponder.
Berry sat in her favorite chair in the den, looking at the clock. What should I give her as a gift? She wondered and took a sip from her wine glass. Should I even bother? She held the glass up to her eyes and sighed.
“Is something wrong, Mama?” asked her daughter, Ruby.
If I had a quarter for every time I heard that today… “No, sweetie, nothing’s wrong.” When she noticed Ruby standing next to her, she said, “Did you finish all of your homework?”
“Uh huh. It was easy.”
“Good. You ready for bed?”
Ruby frowned. “Are you happy, Mama?”
“Of course I am,” Berry said. It wasn’t a lie, she was happy to have her daughter, a reliable job, and a house over her head. “I just have some stuff to think about.” Before Ruby asked any questions, Berry said, “Now come on, it’s getting late and you have school tomorrow.”
“But I’m not tired!”
“You say that now,” Berry said and put her glass down. Then an idea hit her. Of course! She could give Colgate a bottle of wine! Plan firmly in place, she smiled broadly. Ruby had already gone down the hall and didn’t notice the change in her mother.
Colgate sat at her workbench, giving the finished clock one last look before asking the Doctor if it was ready to sell. She looked at his workbench, which was still vacant. He had disappeared into the office to work on bills. She put the clock down, satisfied, and stretched. The Doctor popped out, a smile stretching from ear to ear.
“That one is perfect. Put it on the floor for the price of,” he paused to calculate, “30 bits.” Then he stepped back in the office. Colgate blinked, unsure of what just happened. Then she picked up the clock and stepped out to the front.
Just in time to find Berry open the door.
“Hi, Berry, what brings you back here?” Colgate asked with a smile.
“I was just on my lunch break and I thought that I’d stop by,” she said. Colgate walked past her and put her clock on the wall.
“Well that was nice of you,” she said and noticed the bottle of wine Berry had. “That’s an odd lunch.”
“Huh? Oh, this? It’s not for me, I’ve already eaten.” Colgate frowned, not understanding. Berry blushed and said, “I thought I’d drop this off as a thank you gift. For the clock. It’s great.” She offered the bottle to Colgate and smiled.
“Oh! I don’t know if the Doctor drinks, but I’m sure he’ll appreciate it,” Colgate said as she took the bottle.
Berry twitched. “It’s actually for you.”
“But I didn’t make the clock.”
“But you helped me pick it out, and I appreciated it.”
“You had already made your choice, though. I just rung it up for you,” Colgate said.
Berry frowned. “You don’t like it, do you?”
“What? No, I do, I just don’t know if I deserve it,” Colgate said.
“Look at it this way,” Berry said, “it’s just a way to… solidify our new friendship?”
“But this is an old bottle. Are you sure you want to…” Colgate trailed off when she saw Berry’s eye twitch. “I think it’s great,” she said.
Berry smiled. “Good. I have to get back to work, so I’ll see you later.”
Colgate watched Berry quickly move to the door. Then she looked at the bottle in her hand. I can’t accept this without giving her something in return, she thought. From the back of the store, part of her heard the Doctor laugh.
Berry walked down the sidewalk, thankful that the clock store wasn’t too far of a trek from the vineyard. By Celestia, am I that bad or is she really that thick? She wondered, feeling like a fool regardless. I knew this was a terrible idea. I shouldn’t have gone there and I shouldn’t have given her that wine. Speaking of which, I’ll probably need two glasses of that tonight. I’m such an idiot!
“Berry!”
Oh Celestia, don’t let it be her. I don’t think my heart can take it. Berry turned around to see Colgate running towards her. Part of her wanted to run, but she stayed.
“Dang you walk fast,” Colgate said when she caught up. “But you have to get back to work, so I’ll make this quick.”
“Make what quick?”
“I didn’t feel right taking your gift,” she said, causing Berry to wince, “without giving you something in return.” Colgate reached into her pocket and pulled something out. Before Berry knew what was happening, Colgate grabbed her hand and put her gift in it. “There, now I feel better,” Colgate said. “I suppose I should let you go back to work, and I shouldn’t have ran out of the store like that, but let’s hang out sometime!” Colgate was already running back to the clock store when Berry understood what had happened.
She remembered the weight in her hand and looked down. It was a small, pewter sculpture of an hourglass. She looked back at the clock store in time to see Colgate open the door and step in. Then she thought about how Colgate had held her hand, even though it was brief, and felt happy. Alright, it was worth it, she thought and went back to work whistling.
Colgate made it back in to the store to see the Doctor walk out from the back. She cringed. Being caught by one’s boss after running out of the store without clocking out was less than ideal. Especially after taking one of the hourglass paperweights before she could pay for it. The Doctor noticed the bottle of wine on the counter and picked it up. “A good year,” he said after a while. “Where did you get it?”
“A customer gave it to me.”
The Doctor raised an eyebrow. “What did you do?”
“I sold them a clock,” she said with a smile. “I wasn’t lying when I said I was great at customer service.”
The Doctor smiled. “I never doubted it. Or maybe they’ve got their eye on you.”
“What do you mean?”
“Nothing,” he said, his smile growing larger. He put the bottle down and walked to the door. “You know, it’s a pretty slow day, and it is beautiful out. Want to go home early?”
“I wouldn’t complain,” she said.
“Then go clean up your station and get out of here,” he said. As she walked past the counter, she reached into her pocket to pay for the paperweight she gave to Berry. “And don’t worry about paying, I know you put it to good use.”
Colgate She thought of the night before, and wondered once again if she was part of something she didn’t know about.
A week had passed since Berry had received the hourglass paperweight, which she had put on the mantle below the new clock. Since then, she had gotten the raise she had been asking for. Her managers had finally decided that she deserved it, probably due to her increase in efficiency. Thanks to that, Ruby hadn’t asked if she was happy and Berry was drinking less to deal with her stress. She also could not stop thinking about Colgate.
The two had been spending their lunch breaks together, talking and eating. Berry had finally learned to stop blushing when she spoke to Colgate, which had been the topic of many of their conversations. Berry had brushed it off as a trick of the heat. She remembered how embarrassed she had been and chuckled to herself. The school bell rang and she focused on the present.
Children ran out of the school while yelling in various levels of excitement. Berry saw Ruby walk out and waved her over. She gave her daughter a hug asked, “Did you have a good day, sweetie?” Ruby frowned and shook her head, but didn’t say anything. “Did something happen?” a nod. “Will you tell me what’s wrong?”
“Maybe later,” Ruby said and looked to the ground. Berry smiled reassuringly and took her daughter’s hand while they walked away from the school.
Berry waited for Ruby to speak up once they had put the school behind them, but her daughter remained silent. “We’re far away from your classmates now. Do you feel like talking about what’s bothering you?” she asked, trying to sound sweet, but she couldn’t get rid of her concern.
“I don’t get it,” Ruby said.
“Don’t get what? A school problem? It shouldn’t be too hard for us to figure out together,” Berry offered. Part of her hoped it would be so simple.
“No, it’s not school, mama, it’s you,” Ruby said.
Berry couldn’t keep the shock out of her voice. “What don’t you understand, sweetie?”
“You’ve been so happy lately, but I don’t know why.”
“I’m sure you don’t mind it, though,” Berry said.
“But it’s confusing,” Ruby whined.
Berry was about to reply when Colgate shouted, “Hi, Berry!” The sudden appearance of her friend caused the blood to go right to Berry’s face. She turned around to see Colgate jogging towards them.
“Colgate? What are you doing here? I thought you were working,” Berry managed.
“I have today off,” she said.
Why does it seem like she’s always smiling? Berry thought. “You decided to take a Monday off?”
“Well, yeah, any day off is a good day. Besides, I had yesterday off, and I worked on Saturday, so it’s like a normal weekend.” Colgate said with a shrug. “Didn’t you notice I wasn’t around for lunch?”
“I didn’t take a lunch break today, actually. I worked through it so I could get out early and pick up my daughter from school,” Berry said and put a hand on Ruby’s shoulder.
Colgate, still smiling, got on her haunches and looked at Ruby. “Hiya. My name’s Colgate. What’s yours?”
“Ruby.”
“Ruby, huh? That’s a very pretty name.”
Berry knew they were still talking, but her eyes soon focused on the fact that Colgate was wearing a tank top and running shorts. She blushed and, for some reason, suddenly desired a drink. Yes, some wine to cool down and relax sounds great right now. Then she realized they were both looking up at her. “Can she, Mom?”
“Can who wha?”
“Can Colgate eat dinner with us?”
Berry looked between the two and saw a hopeful glint in their eyes. I’m being given a reason to invite Colgate over, and I didn’t even embarrass myself! I’ll let Ruby have extra dessert for this. “Of course she can,” Berry said, bringing a cheer from Ruby.
“Sounds great,” Colgate said, “what time should I come over?”
Right now? Berry wanted to say. “How about 5?” she said aloud.
Colgate thought it over and said, “Well, it’s 3 now, so… yeah, that’s plenty of time to get home and clean up.” She stood up and wiped some sweat off her brow. “Speaking of clean, I better get going before you two asphyxiate. See you two later!” With that, she jogged past them. Berry felt ashamed that her eyes fell on Colgate’s rear.
Then she noticed that Colgate had stopped and was looking back at them. Oh, Celestia, she saw me looking at her! She must think I’m some sort of pervert! Well, I guess I am, but I didn’t want her to find out so soon! Oh no, she’s coming back towards us. Quick, Ruby, say something that will make her go away!
“I probably should’ve asked this earlier,” Colgate said with a faint blush, “but where do you live?”
Colgate stretched while she walked to Berry’s house, feeling infinitely better after taking a shower. The sun shone on her back, warming her up after she had been doused with cold water. She looked at the houses around her and let out a low whistle. They were only single story houses, but they were all an upgrade over the motel room she rented. Someday, she thought and looked at the paper in her hand, given to her by a slightly shaking Berry.
After a slight change of course, she found herself thinking of her friend. Colgate did enjoy the time she spent with Berry, even though she was often blushing. I wonder why that is. Maybe she’s working too much at the vineyard? She also jumps a lot, so is she stressed? An idea came to her at that moment. I should give her a massage! Colgate looked at the closest mailbox, then at the paper. “Oh, I’m already here,” she said to herself and, curious, looked at her watch. It was exactly 5 pm. Not willing to be a minute late, she quickly walked up and knocked on the door.
Berry nearly dropped the ladle when she heard someone knocking on the door. It’s already 5!? She wondered. Ruby, who was sitting at the table doing homework, gave Berry a quizzical look. “Everything’s alright, dear,” Berry said, anticipating the question she had been hearing far too often. “Can you set the table? And use the good dishes, too,” she added as she walked toward the door.
She passed the hallway mirror and stopped to inspect herself. Her hair was tied up in a ponytail, her clothes were a little wrinkled, and she ran her hand over her shirt. She had also forgotten to shower. Oh no, I bet I smell terrible. Is it too late to clean up? Colgate’s knock answered her. Sighing, she opened the door and was greeted by Colgate’s ever present smile.
“Before you say anything, I was here at 5 o’ clock exactly. You made me late,” she said and held up her watch. 5:02.
“And I’ll make you even more late by not inviting you in,” Berry retorted and leaned against the door frame.
Colgate’s eyes grew. “Aw, that’s not fair. I’m hungry!”
So am I, Berry thought, then caught herself before she blushed. “Ah, fine, get in here.” Colgate’s smile widened and she eagerly walked into the house. Berry wondered whether Colgate was wearing perfume or if she smelled good because of her soap. Berry followed her down the hall to the dining area… only to realize Ruby hadn’t set the table.
“Ruby, what were you doing?” Berry asked. “I told you to put your books away!”
“I’m having problems with my homework,” Ruby whined.
“We can work on it after dinner. Take a break, dear,” Berry said while she walked into the kitchen to get the dishes. I can’t believe it, why does Ruby have to be rebellious now? She sighed while she walked back in, only to see Ruby putting her books away.
“Thanks, Colgate!” Ruby said, smiling.
“Don’t mention it.”
“Did I miss something?”
Berry could tell that Ruby was going to speak, but Colgate shook her head and said, “I helped Ruby with her homework, is all. I work with numbers all day, so math is a snap!” Ruby giggled, making Berry raise an eyebrow.
“Right,” she drawled. “Dinner is done, and I’m sure you two mathematicians can serve yourselves.”
“Aw, first you make your guest late and then you don’t serve her food? You’re a bad host, Berry,” Colgate pouted.
Berry opened her mouth to speak, but stopped when she saw Colgate’s pitiful look. “Fine, I’ll get you both your food,” she said and turned back to the kitchen.
Colgate was next to her in a moment, gingerly taking a plate. “Just kidding.”
Dinner was done and Ruby was in bed, although she had been more vocal than usual to stay up because of their guest. Colgate stood in the den, holding a cup of water and looking around. Berry was sitting in an arm chair with a glass of wine and looking out of the window at the encroaching night. Colgate let out a low whistle. “I’m glad you didn’t listen to me in the shop that day. The clock looks great there.”
Berry chuckled. “Yeah, I figured you weren’t thinking too clearly that day.”
“That’s true. I kept thinking that you were going to run out of the store.”
“What? How come?”
Besides the fact that you were shaking? “Because I was being a bit of a ditz that day. Not like I’m always like that, y’know.”
“Yeah, I know now. I wasn’t going to run out of the store, though. I needed the clock too much.”
“Well it looks great there,” Colgate said. “And there’s the little paperweight I gave you. It’s strange, we sell those at the store for 5 bits, and I ran off after you before I could pay. I figured, ‘I work here, I’ll pay when I get back!’ But as soon as I walked in, I saw the Doctor looking at me with a smile and said I didn’t have to pay. I’ll never understand that man,” she ended with a shake of her head.
“Did you drink that wine I gave you?”
“Uh… I still have it, but I’m not much of a wine drinker.”
“Oh,” Berry said. Silence fell over them, but Colgate noticed that Berry was taking more frequent sips. Was it because she wanted to finish it and go to bed? But I thought that was a bad way to drink alcohol, if there is a right way. Colgate looked at Berry’s hands and noticed the slightest shake. I wonder if, perhaps, she’s beating herself up over something. Well I know the answer for that!
Colgate walked behind her friend and put her hands on Berry’s shoulders. Berry gave a slight jump at the sudden contact, which seemed to be the most common reaction, but she decided to ignore it. She gently kneaded her fingers against Berry, feeling her way through the many knots in her friend’s muscles and working them out.
The massage had only lasted for a few minutes before Berry had put down her wineglass. Colgate noticed that she had to reach farther down as Berry slid down the leather chair. Finally, unsure of what to do, Colgate said, “I’m sorry about that. I probably shouldn’t have said anything about the wine.”
“It’s alright; at least you didn’t lie about it. And if every apology comes with a backrub, I won’t complain,” Berry’s ever present blush was back.
“Then I’ll just have to be completely honest all of the time,” Colgate said.
“What, you don’t want to keep giving me backrubs?”
“Nope. If you need one, I’ll give it to you,” Colgate found an iron-hard knot and focused on it. If Berry was going to say anything, it came out as a happy sigh. “In Luna’s name, you have a lot of stress. You should get a boyfriend so he can give you backrubs instead.”
“Who needs that when I have you?” Berry asked.
“That’s just lazy thinking,” Colgate said. Was Berry going to stop looking for a boyfriend just because she had a friend? Remarkable.
“I know it is,” Berry said. After a few moments of a silent massage, Berry asked, “Out of curiosity, are you seeing anyone right now?”
“Not at the moment. I tried dating a while back, couldn’t see what was so great about it, and gave it up. Although that was years ago. Maybe it’d be different if I try again.” Colgate looked at the clock and added, “Shoot, I better get going. Thanks for having me over. Dinner was delicious.”
Berry responded as soon as Colgate finished the massage, “What time is—oh, it is late, and I still have to shower.”
“In that case, you go ahead and do that, I’ll show myself out,” Colgate said and walked down the hall. “Thanks again!” she called. Her hand was on the doorknob when she heard Berry yell at her to wait.
Berry couldn’t stop the word from coming out of her mouth, but since it had, she didn’t have a choice as she walked down the hall to face her confused friend. Kiss her, part of her mind demanded. No, it’s too soon, Came the call from the other half.
Kiss her!
Not yet!
Kiss her!
Not yet!
She realized she was now standing in front of Colgate. Before the inevitable question could be asked, she said, “I just wanted to thank you for coming over and, the uh, the massage.”
“No problem, that’s what friends are for,” Colgate said, smiling. Always smiling.
Colgate turned around to open the door. She thought that Berry had followed her down the hall so she could lock the door. Before she could step out, however, she felt Berry’s arms wrap about her waist. Talk about a one sided hug, she thought. Berry must have realized she was hugging Colgate from behind, because she let go.
“Sorry, I don’t know what came over me,” Berry said.
Colgate turned around. “Geez, Berry, if you wanted a hug, all you had to do was ask!” She gave her friend a brief, but strong hug.
Berry’s mind was a blank slate, and it stayed that way long after Colgate left.
PART 2: SUMMER
Colgate walked into her motel room and stood in the doorway with her eyes closed, letting the air conditioning dispel the heat in her bones. Once she was cooled off, she let muscle memory guide her past her bed, through her kitchen nook, and to her bathroom, casually discarding her work clothes as she went.
She walked out after washing her face and walked to her closet. Figuring that she didn’t have anywhere to go that evening, she put on a baggy t-shirt and a pair of shorts. Then she went to her mini fridge and looked for a quick snack. There wasn’t much in the fridge outside of a bottle of milk, some sliced ham, and a few yogurt cups. Gonna have to go to the store soon, she thought with a frown and stood up to get the ice cream out of the freezer. Treat in hand, she collapsed onto her bed and sighed.
Normally she wouldn’t have spent the extra money on the ice cream, and she didn’t have to spend a single gold bit on the one she was eating. Instead, Berry had bought it for her when they had been together a few nights ago. Colgate remembered her attempts to talk her friend down from buying anything for her, but she had learned not to turn down one of Berry’s gifts.
She thought back to the first and only time where Berry had, more or less, learned the hard way that she did not really care for a gift. Colgate’s eyes drifted to the cabinet that still contained the old bottle of wine, where it had stayed ever since she had gotten it, unopened. Maybe I can use it to cook with, she thought with a chuckle. However, the boredom eventually came and her mind drifted back to what happened earlier.
I need to clear my head. Colgate looked at her desk, no larger than her workbench, but saw nothing of interest. The deck of cards could lead to a rousing game of solitaire and leave her bored after 5 minutes. There were a few clock parts, but even she needed a break from work. That left only one option: jogging. She discarded her t-shirt, put on a tank top, and left.
Earlier, Colgate had walked back to the clock store after eating with Berry to find the Doctor’s wife was there. “Hi, Mrs. Hooves,” she said with a smile.
“Hello, Colgate, always a pleasure to see you. How have you been? Keeping my husband out of trouble, I’m sure,” said Ditzy Hooves.
“Yep. Although it’s not too hard, he always sends me out to deal with the customers.”
“That’s good. I still remember the times before you were hired here.” Colgate thought she heard Ditzy mutter, “Oh Celestia, what a nightmare that was.”
“It couldn’t have been that bad. The shop was around for years before.”
“True, but I’m sure you’ve noticed how… eccentric he can be.”
Colgate thought back to spring, where the Doctor had worn a cape and moustache for, as far as she could tell, no reason. She had never asked him about that. “Yes, I think it’s hard to miss.”
“Talking about me behind my back, I see. I am hurt, wife and trusted employee,” the Doctor said as he walked out from his office.
“You deserve it for making your wife stand out here for no reason,” Ditzy said.
“I suppose I do,” he said. Walking out from behind the counter, he gave his wife a hug and a kiss. Eventually their innocent kiss turned into a full out duel between tongues. Colgate stood there with a smile, suddenly feeling awkward. She coughed, just to remind them that they were not at home, or a dark alley, or wherever they made out so viciously.
They broke off, praise be to Luna, and chuckled. “I guess I got carried away,” the Doctor said.
“I don’t see what the big problem is,” Ditzy said to Colgate. “Surely you crazy kids do this all the time?”
Colgate blushed. “I don’t, actually.”
Ditzy raised an eyebrow. “A beautiful young woman like you isn’t seeing someone? I can let some men know about you if you want. I still have plenty of stops left on my route,” she said, patting her mail bag.
“Now, now, dear, you’re embarrassing her,” the Doctor said.
“Am I? I’m sorry, Colgate, I just don’t understand how you could have problems getting a boyfriend.”
“It’s not really a problem; I don’t feel like dating right now.”
Ditzy nodded sagely. “Ahh, I see. You want to stay free during your youth. I was the same way, until I got older and settled down with the first guy that proposed to me.”
“Love you too, dear.”
“And I love you,” Ditzy said. They almost went back to their kiss war, Colgate could tell, but Ditzy looked at her watch first. “Damn it, I need to get back to work. I’ll see you later, Colgate,” she said as she walked to the door. She was halfway out when she turned to look at the Doctor. “And I’ll see more of you later,” she added seductively. Colgate spent the rest of her shift trying to ignore the Doctor’s increased efficiency.
As Colgate ran down the familiar streets, she failed to find the clarity she had been searching for. She kept thinking about Ditzy’s offer about finding her a man. Not that she was going to take it up, but she wondered if she should suggest it to Berry. Her friend was a single mother; surely she would be looking for a partner. However, the more she thought of it, the more confused she became.
Berry was a single mother, that was a fact, but she never seemed to care about dating. Did that mean she was content with raising Ruby on her own? If so, why was she so quick to drink a glass of wine? Did she like the taste? She knew there were people who did drink because of that, but there were plenty more who only had alcohol to get drunk. Colgate had yet to see Berry completely drunk, so that seemed unlikely. Alternatively, if Berry was happy, would she drink? Colgate shook her head. She was implying that Berry was not happy, which suggested that her friend was sad. I might be thinking about this too much, she concluded.
All of the thought she had put on dating that day led Colgate to think about her own relationship with Berry. Ever since they had met, they had done countless things together, everything from shopping to sitting at Berry’s house to the occasional jog. Surely some of those activities were something Berry would want to do with a boyfriend instead of a normal friend, but Berry didn’t seem interested in looking. Once again, she was implying something without any facts. She had been thinking that Berry had only seen her as a normal friend.
Colgate paused and put a hand to her temple. Where had that thought come from? Berry has a daughter, surely she wouldn’t see me like that! Do I see her like that? I mean, I don’t think I’d argue against it or anything… She thought back to their first dinner together, specifically when she had given Berry a back rub. She had told her friend to find someone else to give her backrubs, more or less, and had received the response of, “Who needs that when I have you?”
Who needs that when I have you? Colgate closed her eyes. Either I am looking too far into this, or I have the thickest head in Equestria.
“Colgate? Is something wrong?” Berry asked, breaking her out of her thoughts. Colgate looked around. Somehow her feet had taken her to Berry’s house. Her friend was looking at her, concern written across her face.
“Uhh,” Colgate managed. “Nope, nothing wrong, just out for a jog!” she quickly added with a slightly forced smile.
“Oh. Say, have you eaten yet?”
“Yep,” Colgate said. Technically, she wasn’t lying.
“Really? What did you have?” Berry asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Uhh. Do you remember that ice cream you got me?”
Berry frowned and pointed at the door. “Inside. Now.”
“I don’t know, this is pretty short notice,” Colgate said. She had a feeling her feeble excuse wasn’t going to work, and the determined glint in her friend’s eye was all the confirmation she needed. “I mean… I would love to!” I’m already whipped.
Berry sat back in her chair, looking at the wine glass, but her mind was in a different place. Colgate, what is going on in that thick head of yours? She had seen a change in her friend lately, ever since she had, more or less, forced her to eat dinner a few nights ago. Since then, Berry had barely seen her. Colgate had not been around for lunch, and always had some sort of excuse to not be around her. Even her smile, which had always been radiant and natural, was now slightly forced. Berry frowned. Was there something wrong with her friend that she needed help with? Maybe she finally picked up on my hints, she thought with a chuckle. Although I doubt it. She could dream, though, and after finishing her glass of wine, dreaming sounded like a good idea.
Dreaming would have to wait. As she stood up, she saw Ruby standing in the hall. “Ruby? Is something wrong?” she asked.
Ruby looked at her feet and Berry noticed a slight blush. “Mama, what’s love?”
It was Berry’s turn to flush. “Well, dear, that’s a very difficult question.” And where did you find out about it, anyway? You’re going to be in the 3rd grade, you’re not ready to be in love! If some little snot nosed brat thinks he can take you away from me, his family will pay! “Love is, basically, a feeling that you have when a certain someone makes you very happy.”
“Does that mean you love Ms. Colgate?” Ruby tried to keep eye contact, but looked away. When Berry didn’t respond, mostly out of shock, Ruby added, “It’s just that you always seem so happy with each other.”
Berry finally managed to speak. “Uh, well, if you look at it that way, uh…” She shook her head and decided to start over. “Let me ask you this, would it bother you if your mother was with another woman?”
“No, I just want you to be happy,” Ruby immediately responded.
“Then yes, Ruby, I suppose I do love her.” That felt so good to say. But what does it say about you, Colgate, when a child picks up on my feelings before you?
Colgate was concerned for the Doctor. He had been acting strangely, even for him, but he refused to talk about it. She had caught him looking at her, not with a smile, but with a face full of sadness. After seeing it for the whole day, she was nervous. “By Celestia, Doctor, what is wrong?” she finally asked.
The Doctor looked away. “Nothing, my dear, my mind was just elsewhere.” He read off the time on his watch and said, reluctantly, “I suppose I will go home early today. I’m not feeling too well. If… if you would like to take tomorrow off… you may.”
“Doc, you aren’t making any sense right now,” Colgate said. He made for the door but she blocked the way. “What is going on? Is something bad going to happen?”
“Colgate, I would tell you if I could.” She raised an eyebrow at that. “I have always thought of you as a daughter, and you have no idea how much I would like to stay…”
“Then… stay?” Colgate could feel her nerves tightening. Part of her wondered if that was how Berry always felt. Berry… I haven’t seen her for two weeks. She must be worried about me.
“I can’t, and I was not lying about not feeling well.” He shoved the store’s key into her hand. “Be sure to lock it up when you’re done.” With that, he walked past her before she could say anything.
“What… just happened?” Colgate asked herself. She closed her hand around the key, felt it dig into her flesh. Nervous, she considered locking the store at that moment. Maybe there’s something in his office. I do hate seeing him like that, she thought and headed into the back of the store.
Berry hated the sound of bars. They were always so loud, so obnoxious. If Lyra hadn’t invited her for a couple of drinks, she would have been home drinking her wine. Instead she was drinking a bottle of cheap beer while Lyra recounted a story about how she stopped a riot through the power of song. Is she getting drunk so I have to stay here? She wondered and took another drink.
“So what’s up with you and Colgate?” Lyra asked.
“What do you mean?”
“What I mean is, why aren’t you two together yet? I mean, it’s not like it’s any of my business, but Bon Bon was like, ‘They look miserable, Lyra, why don’t you find out what’s wrong with them?’ and I just said that it’s not our business, but then Bon Bon said she wouldn’t use the hot wax until I do.” Lyra mumbled something that sounded like, “Stupid, sexy Bon Bon.”
“I haven’t seen her in a while,” Berry said. “She’s been avoiding me. I think she finally caught on to my feelings and she doesn’t want to see me anymore.” The thought of never seeing Colgate again was enough to make her drain the bottle.
Lyra tilted her head back and laughed. The people sitting next to her moved down a couple of seats. “You think Colgate got it? The same, thick headed Colgate we both know?” Lyra’s face was red, whether from the alcohol or the laughter, Berry wasn’t sure. “Oh, Celestia, that is a good joke,” she added after catching her breath.
“Then why else would she avoid me, huh?”
“I don’t know. Maybe because you smell weird? I do know that no amount of hints will get through to that girl. Hell, you’d probably have to go right up to her and tell her that you love her.”
“Sounds like you’ve had some experience there.”
Lyra’s cheeks reddened. “Yeah, well, I might’ve had a bit of a crush on Colgate. Before I got serious with Bon Bon, anyway. I was basically in the same boat as you are in now. Y’know, I doubt Colgate even thinks about me now, like she just put aside all of those months of blatant flirting off as me being a good friend.”
“So what, you think I should just… come clean to her?”
“YES!” Lyra shouted. “You’ve been at it for months, Berry! You have to be a little forceful!”
Berry smiled. How did she not think of that before? Or maybe I was just too scared to do it. She looked at the empty bottle in her hand. Well, I guess there’s no time like the present.
Colgate sat behind the counter, bored. She was too nervous to work on any clocks, but she also didn’t want to close up the shop and head home. Her quick search through the Doctor’s office yielded no answers about his behavior. No customers had come in since the Doctor left, and she wasn’t sure if that was a good thing. Sure, anyone who came in could be the reason why the Doctor felt bad, but at the same time it would give her something to do. She looked around the store one more time and said, “Forget it, I’m going home.”
She pushed herself up and stretched. Her eyes were closed when she heard the door open. Colgate jumped and almost ran to the back of the store, but stopped herself when she saw who it was. “Berry? Gah, you scared me!”
“Oh, uh, sorry?” Berry said with a giggle. Colgate noticed that Berry’s cheeks were already flushed. Was she ill?
“It’s alright. What can I do for you?” Colgate’s heart ceased its rapid beating.
Berry looked around the store through half-lidded eyes. “Y’know? I think I need another clock. You’ve been to the house a couple of times, what do you think would be a good one?”
“A clock for which room?” Colgate asked, stepping out from behind the counter to stand by her friend. The familiar face was enough to make her forget about her nerves.
Berry ran a hand over her face and, after a few moments, exhaled loudly. “How about one for my bedroom?” she asked. Colgate felt herself blushing and Berry must have noticed, if her large grin was any indication. “On second thought, you’ve never seen it. How about we go fix that right now?” she asked.
“Um, no, no that’s alright. I’m sure you can find—“ she was interrupted by Berry putting a finger on her lips.
“Heh, you’re so cute when you’re flustered. Do you remember our first dinner together? How you said that if I wanted a hug, all I had to do was ask?” Colgate nodded. She felt like her whole body on fire. “I would really like a hug right now.”
“Oh, is that all?” Colgate asked, trying, and undoubtedly failing, to keep her voice from wavering.
Berry’s grin widened, which Colgate didn’t know was possible. “Well, since you’re offering,” she said and wrapped her arms around Colgate, “I’d also like a kiss, and for you to move in with me, and to stay with me forever.” Berry pressed her forehead against Colgate’s. Both of their faces were red, but for different reasons.
As Berry got closer, Colgate noticed the scent of alcohol on her friend’s breath. She’s drunk? Then she’s not in her right mind, surely she wouldn’t be doing this otherwise, she thought. “Berry, how much have you been drinking?”
“That doesn’t matter,” Berry slurred and pushed Colgate against a wall, thankfully not the one covered in clocks. “The point is that I love you.” Before Colgate could say anything, Berry pressed her lips shut with hers. If she wasn’t pressed between the wall and her friend, Colgate was sure she would have collapsed.
Berry pulled back and they looked into each other’s eyes, both gasping for breath. Berry rested her chin on Colgate’s shoulder and whispered “I love you,” over and over. Colgate’s mind was a blank. This isn’t right, she thought. Her body replied by arching into Berry’s touch, by matching the ferocity of her kisses. She isn’t sober. She doesn’t know what she’s doing. Colgate closed her eyes and summoned the willpower to push Berry away.
“What’s wrong?” Berry asked. “Don’t you want me?”
“N-nothing is wrong. I-I… Let’s just get you home,” Colgate said after catching her breath.
“Home for what?”
“So you can go to bed and sleep this off.”
“Bed, eh?” Berry asked and raised an eyebrow.
“Yes. For you. Now let’s go.”
“For both of us, you mean? It’s awfully late,” Berry drawled and licked her lips. Colgate put a shaking hand to her temple. This is going to take a while.
The sun poked through the curtains and gradually found its way to Berry’s closed eyes. She moaned and turned to her side, trying to keep her dream intact. She had almost succeeded in falling back asleep, but the neighbor’s landscaping service decided to start their loudest machines. Irritated, Berry opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling. She didn’t have to look at herself to know that she hadn’t changed into pajamas, or that her bed sheets were tossed around the foot of the bed. She also knew that she went to bed alone, despite her best efforts. At least I still have my memories; she thought and closed her eyes.
However, try as she might to lose herself, her stomach rumbled. Groaning, Berry got out of bed. On her way to the kitchen, she noticed that it was already noon and that there was a pillow on the couch. Did she stay here? Berry wondered. As if in response, her eyes soon focused on a single blue hair left on the pillow. That was all she needed to know before she fell on the couch, giggling while she inhaled the scent of Colgate’s shampoo. It was minty.
After having enough of rolling around the couch with the pillow, Berry remembered that she had been hungry. Leaving the pillow behind, she went to the kitchen and found a note on the countertop.
Good morning, Berry!
Hope you slept well and didn’t use that bucket I left by your bed. I made Ruby some breakfast and she ran off with some friends. She’s such a nice kid. Have to go to work, talk to you later.
-Colgate
Berry read the letter a few more times, unsure of what to do. She remembered almost all of what she had done to Colgate the previous night. She had only had one beer, after all. It had just given her the courage, and a guise, to tell Colgate how she felt. More or less. Now she wondered if Colgate would even want to see her after she had been so forward. If I didn’t want to tell her how I felt, I wouldn’t have gone to her last night. Now go to that clock store, Berry!
It was easier said than done. Berry stood on the corner of the block, looking at the clock store and had never felt as thirsty as she did then.
A/N: I just realized that I ended this before any sort of formal confession. Oh well :3
