//------------------------------// // Chapter XI // Story: Being A Parent Is Hard // by TheKing2001 //------------------------------// “And then, Ruby was like, “But I want to watch your horror movie mom”. I love my daughter and all, but I naturally said no. I don’t want to stay up all night because she’s having nightmares,” Berry took a sip of her eggnog. “Being a parent is hard. Especially a single parent. At least Minnie is supportive.” “Minnie?” I asked with a raised eyebrow as I brushed a strand of my fiery hair aside from my eyes. “Minuette. She’s my girlfriend,” Berry explained. “She’s not here this Christmas because well, she didn’t want to crowd you and make you uncomfortable.” “I did wonder where Minuette was,” Mom admitted. “I had kinda assumed you two broke up honestly sis.” Berry gave her a dirty look. “I’m capable of holding a stable relationship Cheerilee. I’m not sixteen again,” Berry scoffed. “I’m an adult and not an idiot.” “I know that. Sorry for implying and assuming,” Mom held up a hand nervously. “Wait. You’re gay?” I asked in surprise. All three gave a chuckle. “I’m bi,” Berry answered between her chuckles. “Both my sisters are straight. Guess I’m the black sheep of the family.” I gave her a confused look. “Uh you’re not a sheep. You’re a human,” I pointed out. “It means outcast or reject. My sisters haven’t rejected me or cast me out but our parents did. It also means someone who is different,” Berry explained. “Since I’m the bi one and they are straight, it means I’m the odd one out. What about you?” “What do you mean?” I raised an eyebrow. “Ya know. Are you straight, bi, gay?” Berry questioned and Mom stared at me curiously. I didn’t actually know the answer to that. I only dated Flash to be more popular, not because I liked him or actually felt any attraction towards him. Back in Equestria, my first kiss was a mare but that was because I had stolen some alcohol and was drunk when it happened so I don’t know either. I don’t even know who the mare was. I probably should investigate that one day if I ever return to Equestria. “I’m not sure,” I admitted. “I’ve never really dated anyone.” “Uh what about Flash Sentry?” Mom asked with a smirk. I let out a nervous laugh and rubbed the back of my head sheepishly. “I didn’t date him for that. I only did it to be more popular and he helped with that. I feel zero attraction to him. I was a bad person,” I hugged myself and the room got quiet. “Cherry? Cover Ruby’s ears,” Berry asked and Cherry nodded, complying. “Uh why?” I asked nervously. Maybe they were gonna kick me out for potentially being a negative influence on Ruby. I didn’t think I did anything wrong around her. “Fuck that,” Berry sneered. “Old pains are the worst pains. But they are necessary and make us who were are today.” “While I don’t agree with my youngest sisters choice of words, I agree,” Cherry nodded. “Are you done cussing?” “Yeah I’m done,” Berry settled back down on the couch. “Just wanted to get that out there.” Cherry gave another nod and removed her hands off Ruby’s ears who had began to get impatient. Young kids didn’t really like to sit still for long periods of time apparently. “Sure, you made mistakes. We all do it. It’s part of being human and you’re a kid still. We expect you to make mistakes. It’s part of growing up,” Cherry smiled. “We’ve all done it in this room. Especially Berry.” “Mhm,” Berry agreed, then realized what she had said. “Hey!” All of us gave a quick laugh at that. I could make a hay is for horses joke but I won’t. We decided to not tell them about me being from a different world and me being a unicorn pony. They wouldn’t believe us anyway. It’s such an out there thing to say. “This is my first Christmas with people who actually care about me,” I admitted. “The homeless shelters weren’t always the greatest places.” Cherry and Berry’s faces grew serious. “We didn’t want to bring it up or make you uncomfortable,” Cherry admitted. “How long were you homeless?” “A good few years. I’d say four or five, since I’d been at CHS since freshman year,” I answered. “I didn’t really care about Christmas or gifts to be honest. Sometimes, we got new clothes there at the shelters. Bras, underwear, deodorant and shirts. Typical stuff.” “What’s a bra?” Ruby asked curiously. Berry patted her on the head with a smile. “I’ll tell you when you’re older. It’s not something you’ll need for a good few years kid,” Berry smiled. Ruby grunted and pouted. “But I wanna know now. Sunset knows and she’s awesome. If I know, then I’ll be awesome too,” Ruby explained. I stared at her in shock. “You think I’m awesome? Why?” I asked in awe. Ruby smirked and gave a shrug. “You’re nice and funny. Oh and most importantly, you played trains with me.” “Wow, it sure is easy to get to your heart, isn’t it?” I smiled faintly. Berry laughed and set her glass down. “No it’s not. Play with her for a few hours and she will love ya.” “I once played with her for six hours straight with just a box. It was an experience,” Cherry agreed. “Wait. If you have a girlfriend, then you’re not a single parent,” I pointed out. “You’re right. Misspoke,” Berry admitted. “She’s up in Manhatten visiting her mom and dad.” “I thought it was called Manehatten?” I asked. At least, it was in Equestria. Maybe things were slightly different here. Cherry raised an eyebrow. “No it’s Manhatten. Where did you get Manehatten from?” She questioned. Me and Mom exchanged a quick look. “I guess someone played a prank on me when they mentioned it,” I lied hastily. I know lying was bad and all but I thought it was the only way out of the situation. “Interesting,” Cherry mused. “Gotta prank them back. It’s how prank wars work.” “Prank wars?” Berry let out an evil laugh. “Only the most intense, violent thing in the history of ever. You and someone else prank each other back and forth constantly. We did it when we were kids. I always won because I had no filter,” she explained. Mom let out a cough into her fist. “Until me and Cherry teamed up to prank you,” she smirked. Berry rolled her eyes and glared at her. “Shut up.” Ruby let out a laugh. “Yeah, Ruby. You tell her,” Berry grinned. “See? I have the winning weapon. Unquestionable cuteness in the form of my daughter.” “Only because you have none yourself,” Cherry muttered. Berry glared at her and passed Ruby to me and I instinctively covered her ears. Berry instantly stood up and grinned. “Why you little shit. This isn’t over!” The two ran out of the room and I gave Mom a confused look. “Are they always like this?” Mom let out a long sigh. “You have no idea.”