Apprehension consumed my mind at the start of the third day at the Ponyville post office. I wasn't exactly sure what the postmaster wanted to tell me but it must be important. Arriving at work, the postmaster made sure I understood that we were going to meet at a local cafe. It seemed strange that I was the pony he needed to talk with about Ditzy and that letter. More and more it seemed as though the postmaster wanted to make my work days harder. I had hardly been in this town for three days trying to escape my own problems and apparently this postmaster keeps throwing more troubles my way. What does one need to do to be allowed escape and peace of mind? If he is going to ask me to go out of my way and do something with unexpected results like on my first day, I'll refuse it with every fiber of my being.
The morning was calm and I needed that tranquility. Not being able to see my son for another three weeks puts a lot on my mind. I keep missing my family and thinking about them. That longing for a past familial bond is not easily forgotten and put wayside. I look forward to my visitation days. It is on those days that I get to see my son. Although, the hours speed by rather quickly, time spent with him is invaluable. To spend one's time in the company of loved ones makes life a bit more meaningful.
Work helps to alleviate what I assume is separation anxiety by providing other things to think about. I really like this town with its citizens. They are very accepting and my presence seems to brighten up their day as they do mine. I suppose if I'm not able to brighten my own day, maybe I can offer that chance to another pony. Helping out is its own reward. Perhaps the happiness derived from helping out others offers some strength in dealing with my own situation.
Lunch time arrived much sooner than anticipated. My mind was so focused on work and random thinking that I almost forgot to check the time. I arrived at the cafe to find the postmaster already waiting for me. He was inside the cafe close to its doors next to a window with a single chair sitting across from him. I sat down in it with a waitress coming by to take our order. We both made the purchase simple by ordering some hay fries and cider. As soon as the waitress left, the postmaster wasted no time in starting the conversation.
"I know this seems a tad awkward coming here, son," he began. "But I'm glad you could meet me today. I figure a proper explanation is in order for wrongly throwing you into an unexpected situation without asking first. Normally, I don't jump to conclusions, but trust me when I thought you could help out the most. Please accept the apologies of a foolish old stallion for ruining your first day on the job. I’ll give you a survey to fill out later on improvements and recommendations for first day postal work."
The postmaster chuckled lightly at his mistake. I didn't return the laugh but turned my gaze away momentarily hoping the conversation would be more fruitful. If this talk wasn't going anywhere, I'd rather excuse myself from the table right away. I finally offered a reply after the waitress came by with our food and drink. The hay fries and cider sat untouched on the table.
Food and drink would not be the main course of this meal.
"I'm still a little ticked from being made out to be an idiot, but I'll accept your apology, sir."
"'Made out to be an idiot'," the postmaster said almost speaking to himself. A serious expression crossed his face as he began looking out the window. "Ditzy has always been made out to be an idiot. None give her due credit anymore. Not even the one she used to love."
"You mean her husband?" I interrupted.
"Yes...her husband. He's the one that started calling her by the name, Derpy. Everypony caught onto it later on and allowed it to be an accepted practice. I'll tell you boy...life sometimes just isn't fair."
"Her husband was the first to call her Derpy? Why? Was he angry and mean-spirited?"
"No...no...not angry...not mean-spirited...just...different now." The postmaster let out a deep sigh before continuing. "He was is a loving husband and father. Sometimes we just say things we regret. It doesn’t mean we’re bad ponies; just that we have bad moments. I’m sure it is not the name that changed him, son. It could have planted a seed, but he still loves Ditzy and most notably his little filly, Dinky. He has said positive things in all his letters sent through my hoof. But something changed in those words. Over time, loving words turned into casual sentiment. Many times I reassured her that he would come back, but she probably realized something was different. I could see the concern in her eyes carefully reading each word in those mailed letters seeking comfort once held. She’d put on a smile - that same smile she always wears - but her perceptive eyes told another story, son.
Her smile...she always smiles. Well, not always like on rare occasions of sadness or dismay. Through thick and thin she expresses a candle glow bright enough to illuminate one’s own darkness. Many ponies have warmed up to her due to that warm-hearted smile. Understand, son, it takes a lot to maintain that smile while told you’re a clumsy idiot and retard. Still, those who hated her became friends...if they weren’t already her friend.”
“I’ve noticed that ridiculous smile, sir,” I said acknowledging his words. “It puts me off but, at the same time, there is a natural attraction to its positivity.”
“Positivity...”
The postmaster lightly brushed his chin with his left hoof as though in deep thought. I found it remarkable that he held this much concern for Ditzy. There were signs in his manner of speaking about her that simulated a father’s involvement.
“She’s always had a positive personality, son. Ditzy is a kind pony. In addition, she is very perceptive to when other ponies are having a bad day. In a crowd, she’d be able to find the one who felt left out whether they be a young yearling, stubborn mule, or old pony feeling isolation from a younger crowd. Invading a pony’s private life makes them defensive, son. We’re born with a natural instinct to build up walls to keep out others. In the end, this one gray-coated mare - bearing defensive insults with smiling innocence - shows us a world outside that wall.
Shall I tell you about the day she met my brother? She made him so mad that day, hahaha! It was a very busy day in the post office not unlike the day you started. There was one shipment by airmail, important enough that I wanted my brother to go along to make sure it was properly delivered. Halfway through the delivery, a gray-coated mare approached him and his delivery companions saying they had left behind an item at the post office. They were sure that this wasn’t the case but, before they could stop her, this gray-coated mare insisted that she’d just toss it back into the air transportation vehicle. However, a few items in cargo shifted their position with the added additional weight enough to make a few items fall out the back of the vehicle and onto a purple unicorn’s head. He was absolutely livid in cleaning up the mess and having to make sure my delivery didn’t seriously harm the unicorn below. Thank goodness the unicorn survived a falling piano, but that didn’t stop my brother from exercising expressed anger hahaha.”
“A piano?”
“Yes, son, a baby grand piano.”
“The responsibility of rectifying that mess would be daunting both in medical treatment and property damage.”
“You’re right on that one, son. It was a huge mess to cleanup. Regrettably, my brother began hating Ditzy and had many choice words to share. However, she beared these insults and tried everyday to make amends. He had even slapped a muffin out of her hoof at one time in feeling bitter resentment towards her. She would frown momentarily only to come up with another idea to make him feel better. My brother began patronizing her to make himself feel better. I didn’t like it one bit but Ditzy insisted that it was all right due to how much she had upset him. She said he’d come around eventually - and he did. One day, with his hat held in his hooves, he apologized about everything he had said and done to her. The guilt had weighed heavily on his conscience desperately needing reconciliation. Ditzy accepted this turn of events with a bright smile and open hooves. She was never angry or bitter at him. She could perceive that he’d come around eventually on his own. It is a truly remarkable talent, son.”
Listening to the postmaster speak about Ditzy made me realize I had severely underestimated the breadth of her mannerisms. Ditzy’s actions had a direction and purpose I was slowly able to piece together. Hidden behind that smile beheld a beauty and strength that few possessed. Her appearance consists of fragile physical features, but her spirit carried indomitable positivity guided with simple purpose in haphazardly helping others.
A few minutes passed with the postmaster mindlessly looking out the window and me dwelling on thoughts about Ditzy. Suddenly, I remembered the letter that had her broken down in tears.
“Sir, can you tell me about Ditzy’s husband? I want to know why the letter affected her so badly, though I can guess the reason. I just need to hear it from your mouth.”
“Yes...Ditzy’s husband. Back in her young days, Ditzy’s toy had broken while playing in a sandbox. The teacher led her to a private place for comfort and a young unicorn colt picked up that broken toy. Before even knowing what magic was he managed to fix the toy with his horn. It was an act of kindness that would come back tenfold due to the pony who was helped. Later on, he found Ditzy sitting by a river with a sullen expression on her face. When given her newly fixed toy, she became overjoyed that somepony cared about her. Most others avoided her for the sole reason of looking and acting like an idiot."
"How do you know all this? Did Ditzy tell you?" I asked curious on how he would know about Ditzy's young life.
"Two versions of the story were told to me - one from Ditzy and the other from her husband. Both versions of the story matched from my point of view so I accepted them as fact. See, I've known that family for the longest time. You could say I'm a family friend. That's what makes a small town special in that neighbors know neighbors.
Anyways, Ditzy and the young unicorn colt went their separate ways to grow up and mature. They often sent letters to keep in touch. They both considered the letters to be more than pieces of paper. It was more like hearing 'news' from a close one. Ditzy always thought sending and receiving letters was the best thing. It is one of the reasons why she chose to be a mailmare.
The letters continued for many years and the two became very close. Who knew that a long-distance relationship could work out? There came a day when a package came for Ditzy whereas only a letter was expected. It didn't have a sender's or return address causing Ditzy to curiously open it. Inside was a similar-looking toy to what she had when she was younger and a single note. I've come back home and I'm waiting at the local bakery. See you there, my friend, it said.
Muffins. Ha. Who knew love could blossom from a date with muffins. The two greatly enjoyed each other's company in that bakery. Now that the young colt - now a stallion - came back, much more time was spent together. Long story short that is why Ditzy has a young filly. That filly is such a cutie, isn't she?"
I couldn't help but nod my head in agreement. Turning an eye to me the postmaster saw this acknowledgement.
"So, did something happen between the two?" I asked now rather curious to the story. The postmaster returned his gaze to the world outside the window.
"Something happened, all right. I'm not sure if I'll ever know for sure, son, but something definitely happened. Worst part is that the young filly is caught in between. This is certainly going to affect the rest of her life seeing her parents separate."
"Separation? So...that's what the letter was about?"
"Yes, if one single word would suffice then that is the one. I'm sure you know the weight that word carries."
"Yes...I do," I said lowering my eyes to the table before me.
"Tell me, son. How did it happen?"
"We just...drifted apart. No fights. No real conflicts. The lesson I learned is that sometimes loved ones just don't feel close to one another anymore. Sometimes love just ain't enough. We just...fell out of love and drifted apart."
"Fell out of love and drifted apart..." the postmaster once again said this almost as if speaking to himself. "That is such an irony."
"What is an irony?" I asked looking at the postmaster again.
"Ditzy's husband. He could fix anything. He fixed her toy when they were young, built up a nice family life, but couldn't repair a broken home. Thinking back on it, perhaps that is why he applied for contractor work that required travel; he was seeking to distance himself from Ditzy."
"So, how did he end up calling her by the name Derpy?"
"Oh, that. Ditzy always had a clumsy nature. You can say she is accident-prone. Among her many accidents, Ditzy would often break something that afterward needed fixing. This is when her husband would step in to clean up her messes. He had a talent for fixing anything be it household furniture, plumbing, transportation vehicles...you name it, he can fix it. That is what I always assumed, of course. Now I know that is not always the case.
Many times Ditzy would anger other ponies with her clumsiness. Clumsy idiot and retard were among the most referred to insults to justify property damage or frustrated outbursts. In a means to cheer her up, Ditzy's husband called her Derpy from time to time. The name had a nice ring to it and strangely lightened a sour mood. The name became commonplace with many referring to her by that name. I don't call her by that name because it is nothing but an insult. Anytime I bring it to her attention, she disregards the concern and says that the name doesn't define her. She is right as her worth can't be measured by a simple label. That might be something we can all learn from her."
"So, the name's intention was misused and he didn't mean to harm her by it...interesting. Her husband doesn't seem like he was ever mad at her and yet they separated," I said out loud trying to wrap my head around their separation.
"Yes, they are still separating. Like I said before, her husband applied for contractor work that required travel. Now that I think about it the two had spent less time together prior to this event. For a time, they started to send letters back and forth to keep in touch. Ditzy wanted to be the first to know when letters from her husband arrived so she took a job at the post office. I always found it odd that the more serious letters came through me. Maybe her husband didn't have the nerve to hurt her feelings directly but needed a buffer. This is why that letter I gave you was in my hoof. I read it over and over not sure how to break the news to Ditzy that her husband was filing for divorce and had already found another super special somepony in his life. I suppose I should be relieved that custody of Dinky was given to Ditzy, but that is like saying an open wound is healed by not pouring salt on it.
I was frantic for a solution in delivering that news. This is why when you mentioned your wife and son, I thought maybe you would know what to do. You can say that I was simply scared. That is most likely true. However, I still firmly believe that your support in her time of need would greatly benefit each other. When you first arrived at the post office, I pointed out that 'news' needs to be delivered by a trusted hoof. Who better to deliver devastating news than one with a similar experience? If you will remember back to that day, I was not able to console her any better than you could. I, myself, was on the verge of tears in seeing her cry."
The postmaster finally broke his gaze from the window to give me his full attention.
"Son, Ditzy's husband is coming by the post office tomorrow to pick up Dinky for a two-week visit. The separation from not only her husband but daughter too - even if temporary - is going to devastate her. I am pleading with you. Let your shoulder be one she can lean on. You complained about me disregarding your prior experience, but listen to my words carefully. No matter what happens in our lives, help somepony else out in their time of need so that you both can find the strength to face life's worse hardships. Remember that even our princess, whom raises your morning sun, relies on her sister and the citizens of this land for due strength knowing that little can be gained in being alone."
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Coming home, I went straight to bed not looking at the two holes in the wall or my family's photo. The story told by the postmaster was one I'd have to mull over for a while. I wasn't ready to jump into another pony's problems just yet. However, that look on Ditzy's face on my first day made it clear she needed reassurance and comfort that everything was going to be fine. All I could think about is the pain that both my son and Dinky must endure in having their parent's separate. To have Ditzy fall to pieces would only worsen this divorce for her child. A parent is, after all, a pillar of strength in a child's eyes. She is a strong mare and I'm sure she only needs a little boost in confidence. At minimum, I can provide that.
Dozing off to sleep I now understood that the postmaster was only trying to help a friend in need albeit his actions were foolhardy. Nonetheless, his intentions are well-meant and honorable.
I should had given the postmaster more due respect.