//------------------------------//
// Diary, Part Nine 
// Story: Property of West Wind 
// by OleGrayMane 
//------------------------------//

 
Thursday, 18 October
Doc has saved me. He's the best friend I've ever had. Whatever he said to the Apples fixed things, because we are all still here. Things ain't like they used to be, though. Mr. Mac was with us the whole day today. He didn't say nothing at all, not that he's a talker, and he didn't work much. All his time was spent watching us. And when he looks at me, I know he knows what happened, but he won't say nothing about it.
And nopony said a word at supper last night. Tonight there was hardly any either. It's like everypony knows, but they are all afraid to mention it. Downright uncomfortable.
I wish that was the worst of it. The worst is Shorty, but that ain't no surprise. He doesn't say anything to me anymore, and he barely talks to Doc. Sometimes, I'll catch him watching me. He'll look away when I do, but I can see how much he hates me.
It's frightening, because there's a mean streak in his eye that wasn't there before. It used to be he didn't plain like me. Now I see hate and know he's planning something. How am I supposed to live with that? What if he tries something while I'm asleep or when Doc or nopony else is around? I've got that terrible feeling you get when you think that everypony might be after you.
I know it's only a couple more weeks, but I don't know if I can take it. I hardly slept at all last night. My mind kept tossing so much, that even if I was asleep, I didn't get any rest. How bad is it going to be in a few days? A whole week?
That feeling that I got to run sneaks up on me ever so often and then I can't think straight. I've got to push it down, because it's wrong. I know that something's got to give, but this time it ain't going to be me. This is the right place for me, and not Shorty or nothing else is going to drive me away. The Apples respect me and I do good work for them. Ponies in town know my name and like me. I belong here. I just know it in my heart. Every time I feel like running, I need to remind myself of that.

Monday, 22 October
I guess things are getting back to normal, if you can call it that. The three of us are working alone again, and Mr. Mac and Miss AJ are on their own team. When we work, there ain't much talking anymore. I stay away from Shorty and he stays away from me. I don't give a damn what he does as long as he don't bother me.
He hasn't said or done anything to me since the fight, but I still don't trust him. I hope it's because he's afraid of what the Apples would do if he causes any more problems. When I had a chance to talk to Doc all alone, he said it's about money. All three of us have got a lot of bits waiting when we cash out, and Shorty doesn't want to lose his. I'm glad he cares more about bits than he does about me.
It's so quiet while we work taking out these old trees. We only talk to each other when we have to, and it's nothing but work talk. Even Doc is quiet and the heavens know that ain't like him at all. We eat without talking, then we go back to the bunkhouse and don't talk. Shorty plays with his cards. I read. Me and Doc played chess once, but neither one of us had our hearts in it so we didn't do it again. He got so bored he even borrowed a book from me.
There's less than two weeks to go, so I think I can stand it. Doc said he and Shorty will head south, probably taking as much of the winter off as they can afford to. He asked me if I wanted to go with them, just in case the Apples wouldn't keep me on. I couldn't believe he even asked. When I told him no, he said he already knew my answer, but he asked to be polite. Good old Doc. Such a shame he can't see the farm is a sweet deal and stay here with me.

Tuesday, 23 October
I did the deliveries like I always do, but a bit slow, because it was nice to be away from the problems with Shorty. Nothing has happened so far, still, I don't want to be around him if I don't have to.
I'm not afraid of him anymore. When I see him, I get angry not scared, like I want to have it out with him for giving me so much grief. I don't like feeling scared or angry, but I'll put up with it for another week or so. It's hard to believe we're at the end of the season already.
Next week I'm asking the Apples. I want to look presentable when I make my proposal, so after work on Saturday, I'll hit town and get all cleaned up again. I've got a little speech planned out in my head. First, I'll tell Granny how grateful I am for having the opportunity to work and for her trusting me with the deliveries. Then I need to tell her something about how I feel about the whole town and the farm in particular. I'll tell her about what the farm means to me and how I want to help fix it up when spring comes around. I'm going to have it all practiced so I don't mess up nothing. Despite everything that's happened, I've no doubt that she'll let me stay.

Wednesday, 24 October
After supper the three of us were going back to the bunkhouse. Out of nowhere, Shorty shoved me and practically knock me over. I shoved him right back. He turned around and looked at me with an evil glare, and I looked him right back. The two of us stood there, waiting for the other to do something. I knew he was going to come at me again, but I wasn't about to back down.
Doc stood there not saying nothing for the longest time. At first I figured he didn't know what to do. Then I glanced at him, and I could see in his eyes that he was boiling mad. He was too angry to move or speak. Finally, he got ahold of himself and told us to calm down before we all got thrown off the farm.
He made Shorty clear off. Shorty looked at him mean, the same way he looks at me, but he listened and walked back to the bunkhouse like Doc told him. The two of us watched him walk away real slow. We didn't say nothing until he was out of sight.
Once Shorty was gone, Doc got spitting mad. He ran out of cuss words and then told me not to worry. I was to watch myself, he said, but not panic. We got talking about Shorty, and Doc says the way he's been acting has got him all worn out. He's having second thoughts about traveling south with him now.
I told Doc I ain't going to be pushed around no more, even if that meant trouble with the Apples. He promised me he'd make sure Shorty left me alone, even if he had to fight him himself. When Doc leaves, I'm gonna lose the best friend I've ever had.
All three of us are back at the bunkhouse. Doc's reading that book he borrowed or at least pretending to. Shorty's sitting on his bunk, playing with those damn cards of his like neither of us exist.
I know he's waiting to start something. Well, I'm waiting too.