//------------------------------// // A Girl's Best Friend // Story: A Diamond and a Tether // by PatchworkPoltergeist //------------------------------// April, 2004   Lucille Burdock stares into the box. “Oh.” Her smile deflates. “Uh.” Her boyfriend rubs the back of his neck, trying to avoid the cut of her stare. “Something wrong, babe?” Lucy purses her lips. She holds the pair of diamond earrings—12 carat with crystal clarity and flawless princess cut—in her manicured hands as if they’re garden snails. Or worse, cubic zirconia. “The Clark Collection was two seasons ago, Brian.” “Oh.” Brian blinks. “So…you already have a pair?” “Everybody has a pair, Brian. And nobody’s wearing studs this year, it’s all about chandelier earrings this year, everybody knows that. Everybody.” She falls back against the couch, back bouncing against the leather. “And like, what’re Ashlyn and Bethany even gonna say, me showing up tonight with last year’s earrings? “Could at least pretend to be grateful, you know.” “…You waited until this morning to get me something, didn’t you?” Brian plays with his watch and glances away. Technically, it was last night. “Gawd, that is so like you!” The frown crinkles into a scowl. “I told you I wanted something nice, Brian. Something unique. Special.” “Okay, first: I know what unique means. And second…” Brian glances from the corner of his eye and smirks. “Who said I just got you earrings?” He hops over the back of the couch and strides to the kitchen. Lucy, curious but not ready to let Brian know that, peeps over her shoulder. Hopefully it’s not another dress. He can never remember her size and keeps getting her stuff with ugly grandma patterns. The purple box he brings back is the size of a small bookcase. Brian carries it carefully, as if whatever’s inside is breakable. As he places it in her lap, the box jostles. She can hear something scraping the sides and the lid’s striped with dark mesh. So, probably not a new dress. Lifting an eyebrow, she looks to Brian, who lifts the brim of his ball cap to her. “Happy 20th, Luce.” Lucy puts her ear to the lid. Something sniffs at her. Did he get her a puppy? One of those cute designer dogs that don’t shed on furniture? Carefully, she unties the ribbons and lifts the lid. She blinks, looks up at Brian’s smug face, then back to the box. She blinks again, just to make sure she’s not seeing things. Inside, curled in a nest of hay and shredded newspaper, is a tiny pink horse. It can’t be any bigger than a large cat. It could fit in one of her purses easily. Its mane is Lucy’s favorite shade of lavender, and the white stripes running through it match the silk ribbon on the pony’s neck. The coat is plush and smooth; it’s like petting a throw pillow. Lucy’s face splits into a grin. “Ohhh, my gooooosh.” The little animal blinks, squinting in the living room lights with blue eyes half the size of her head. It kind of reminds Lucy of those anime characters Ashlyn’s brother likes so much. If the little horse wasn’t busy trying to crawl out of the box, she could swear it was just a well-made toy.  “Oh, hel-lo there, sweetie princess! Who’s a sweet princess?” The pony twitches its ears at Lucy’s voice. A little smile spreads across its face as it makes squeaky little whinnies. It kind of sounds like it’s giggling. “Yes, that’s right! You’re a sweetie baby princess!” Lucy scoops the little pony in her arms, taking every opportunity to kiss those darling little ears and sweet forehead and cute little velvety nose. She smells like powder and rain, none of that horsey smell. The pony wiggles in her arms and makes the giggly sound again. “Yeah, you are! You’re just the most perfect little pony ever, huh?” Lucy takes a tiny leg in her hand and rubs a pearly hoof with her thumb. Brian crosses his arms and grins smugly. He hasn’t seen her this excited since senior prom. “Well? Unique enough for you?” “Oh, Bri, she’s perfect!” Lucy kisses the ears again and the little pony nuzzles her neck. “I’ve never seen anything like this before. Is she still a baby?” She frowns uncertainly. “I don’t really have room for a stable….will she get a lot bigger?” “Nah.” Brian leans over the pony to kiss his girlfriend. “One of those miniature horses, like they use for blind people, but smaller. And pink.” “Why is she pink?” “’Cause she is? It’s kinda like those teacup poodles, but a teacup pony instead. They got a pony to be tiny, they can get ‘em all sorts of colors, I guess. The little ones are called fillies.” He strokes his goatee as he thinks a moment. “No, wait, just the girls are fillies. Little horses are foals.” The filly is set in Lucy’s lap, where she immediately crawls out to explore the couch. The little legs have trouble balancing on the soft leather. She falls a couple of times before she runs for the heaps of wrapping paper at the other end. Lucy balls up the shiny, gold paper her earrings were wrapped in and tosses it. The foal pounces, delighted at the crinkly noise it makes. “Where’d you even find something like this? She must have cost a fortune.” “Hey, only the best for my baby.” Brian adjusts his jacket lapel and grins. “I have my ways.” Lucy leans over, her leaf-brown hair spilling over the foal’s shoulders. “Whatcha doin’, little pony?” The filly’s too busy investigating her wavy reflection in the wrapping paper to acknowledge her. “We’re a pretty little filly, aren’t we?” The birthday girl waves the diamond studs. The pony watches the light and different colors skim across the multifaceted surface. “I think she likes shiny things.” “I think it just likes finally being out of that box,” laughs Brian. “You know what you’re gonna name it?” Locks of purple mane twirl through Lucy’s fingers. Soft and silky, though it could use a comb. The way she looked at her, it was like she understood every word she said. “Perfect little princess,” Lucy coos. “I kind of like Tiara.” Brian snickers. “What?” “Nothin’. Just a weird name is all. But hey, it’s your pony.” “She,” Lucy says. “A she, not it. And you got any better ideas, smart guy?” Brian shakes his head at how this little horse is getting fawned over already. Lucy’s gonna end up one of those people that calls herself a pet parent and holds little birthday parties. “I dunno... Diamond, maybe?” When his girlfriend just stares at him, he clarifies, “Because diamonds are a girl’s best friend. Get it?” “I dunno. I still like Tiara more.” Lucy scoops the pony in her arms and plants a little kiss on her nose. The filly wiggles, impatient to go back to playing with the wrapping paper. “What do you think, little missy? You like Tiara?” The pony wiggles and fidgets. “Or do you like Diamond?” The pony fidgets and wiggles. Lucy chuckles and lets the little princess go play. “You’re like, no help at all. Whatever, we can choose a name later.”   June, 2004 Diamond Tiara is a star. Wherever she goes, everyone stops to look and point and wonder Who is that adorable filly with the bright blue eyes? When did Lucy get such an amazing creature? Can they come say hello or give her a treat? Miss Bethany asks Lucy, “Are there any others?” But Lucy smiles and says, “Diamond’s one of a kind. No pony’s like her.” “How do you get her to sit still all day and wear that adorable little outfit?” asks Miss Ashlyn. She looks between the growling Chihuahua in her purse and the pink pony nibbling a bagel inside Lucy’s new Louis Vuitton. “I can never get Hyatt to behave at all.” Diamond Tiara blinks at the big-eared doggie glaring across the food court table. It shows its teeth and growls. The doggie doesn’t seem to like her very much, which is strange, because everyone loves her. They say such nice things, pet her head, and give her sugar cubes and slices of fruit. Diamond isn’t always sure she likes meeting so many new people. Not everyone knows you should be gentle with a princess and sometimes they do things like hug too hard or pull on her mane. Sometimes, people want to come and talk to Lucy instead. That would be okay, except then Lucy’s so busy talking to them, she forgets to talk to Diamond Tiara. Once, when Brian came over he talked to Lucy for a really long time and neither of them wanted to play or talk to her or anything all night. It was a long time before they had dinner, which meant Diamond had to wait, too. The filly stretches her neck to get a better look at the doggie in Miss Ashlyn’s bag. Maybe he’s mad because Ashlyn’s talking about Diamond instead of him. He’s jealous. That’s what Lucy always says when someone won’t let Diamond into buildings or yells when Diamond eats at the table. It used to make her sad when people did that, but she knows better, now. They’re just jealous because they don’t have a perfect little pony to take care of. Lucy said so. And Lucy is never, ever, wrong.   July, 2004   On Tuesdays and Thursdays, Maria comes to clean the Burdock house. Back from a well-earned family vacation for the past few months, she’s ready to get back to work. Sandwiched between go-getter households and nitpicking nouveau riche, the Burdock place has always been the breather in her busy schedule. She has the usual chores (dusting, floor waxing, patio sweeping) but it feels more like housesitting. Maria’s often finished before noon and spends most of the afternoon with telenovelas. Lucille isn’t sloppy to start with and anyway, there’s only so much one young woman can do in a twelve bedroom home. The only days there’s any real mess to clean are after Lucy throws a party. However, one good look at the chaos stretching across the Burdock house, it’s clear that this mess wasn’t made by 20-somethings or teenagers. Cookie jars and candy dishes tipped over. The curtains in the sitting room pulled back, twisted and warped into bizarre shapes. Crumbs littering couch cushions, throw pillows everywhere but their proper place, heaps of blankets in the living room. Juice stains on the carpet, food stains on the armchairs. And toys. Everywhere. Plastic clowns in the sink, sparkly balls on the stairs, a rubber horseshoe and a herd of seahorses float in a half-full tub, and a big plush piglet in the kitchen, fur prickly and crusty where something spilled on it. Of course, none of this compares to one of the upstairs bedrooms. It looks like KB Toys exploded all over it, along with a couple of Baby Gaps. Maria picks up a little purple tutu covered in sequins, a blue polka dot dress, and footie pajamas patterned with horseshoes. They’re all about the right size for a toddler, though she didn’t see a crib or a high chair anywhere in the house. Underneath a clump of blankets and dirty sheets, there’s a twin-sized bed, though. The arch window next to it is half covered in glittery stickers in chaotic patterns. It brings to mind the time her son got those Toy Story stickers from the dentist and almost ruined the wallpaper. Maria isn’t looking forward to cleaning this window. It’s all so strange. Maria Flores knows what all these clues lead to, but it seems so unlikely. The time doesn’t add up for pregnancy and Miss Burdock doesn’t seem the type to adopt. Can’t be a niece; Lucille is an only child as far as Maria knows. When Miss Burdock comes back that night, she just has to ask. “Excuse me, I was wondering, do you have a baby living here? Or a little child?” Lucy stares at the maid like she’s gone crazy. “What? Of course not. You know I’m no good with kids.” She sets her bag on the kitchen floor and takes the time to kick off her high heels and give her feet a needed rub. “Look I don’t wanna keep you too long, but can you draw me a hot bath?” “It’s no problem. I’ll get right…” Maria pauses as the leather Gucci tips over and a tiny pink horse tumbles out. It’s wearing a little sailor suit. “Uh…” “Oh, that’s Diamond Tiara. Say hi, Di.” The pony clip-clops over and investigates Maria’s shoes. The maid chuckles with a sigh. For a while there, she was worried.   October, 2004   The Hilton ballroom doesn’t allow animals and no amount of pleading, bribes, or threats to sue will change their mind. No animals in the hotel unless they are a service animal (and no, Miss Burdock, emotional companionship does not count, yes we checked). The choice is either leave Diamond Tiara at home or miss Becca Swanson’s Hilton Halloween Haunt. Juggling costume makeup in one hand and nail polish in the other, Lucy flips open her phone and speed-dials Maria.   It is a three-hour drive to the Burdock residence. She left a client early and had to bribe her daughter to take her brother Trick-or-Treating. For a pony. The emergency was the pony. It’s all Maria can do to keep from glowering. “Oh man, thanks so much, Maria. You’re the best. She won’t be too much trouble, I promise.” “I still don’t understand why you can’t just leave the pony alone. Why? We leave Pacha in the yard all the time, Pacha is fine.” She rolls her eyes at the snoring filly in the armchair. “Normal ponies sleep in stables, you know." Lucy puts a hand on her hip. “Diamond isn’t a normal horse. She’s special. Besides, I never left her alone before and sometimes she gets into stuff. What if she, like, eats some makeup or whatever?” Maria sighs. These rich people. They think their animals are children.   Diamond Tiara’s nice dream is interrupted by hugs and kisses. She screws up her face and squirms. They must be going somewhere nice. Lucy’s wearing her new striped dress, the one they looked for all day last week. (The fuzzy ears on top of her head are a little strange, though.) Diamond’s still a little grouchy at being woken up, but she can always go back to sleep in the bag. Which one will it be today? She hopes it’s the tan Gucchi or the shiny Prada. Those are really nice to sleep in. But Diamond doesn’t see either of them on the floor, though. Or on the couch or on the table. All Lucy has is her orange clutch, barely big enough to fit her phone. But she must realize her mistake, because she’s going to get a better bag…why is she looking in the garage? Did she leave it in the car? Diamond Tiara’s ears fly up. She hears an engine.   Pony or not, Maria never guessed a creature with such little legs could move so fast! The maid’s feet are nearly knocked out from under her as the tiny horse zips through her legs, scrambling and slipping on the kitchen tile. There’s the little clip-clop of hooves for a second, and then a pink blur’s beelining for the den. Maybe it was a good idea to leave someone to pet-sit. Maria’s heard of this pet separation anxiety before, where dogs would tear up the house when their owners aren’t home. Better nip this in the bud right now. She catches up just in time to see Diamond clambering on the loveseat by the window. The foal bangs her hooves on the glass as a blue convertible passes by. She runs back and forth along the top of the loveseat as the convertible gets smaller and smaller, eventually rounding the corner and vanishing completely. The filly sits back down. Her ears twitch one way, then another. Maria sighs in relief. Maybe there was nothing to worry about after—and there goes the vase. Thanks to six years of track-and-field, she catches it before it shatters. She looks up just in time to see the filly kick two throw pillows and toss a third with her mouth. “Hey!” An alpaca blanket flutters in the air as Diamond Tiara snatches it off the ottoman. “Hey, hey, no! You stop that!” Diamond thrashes as the blanket’s ripped from her mouth, thrashes harder as Maria picks her up. Maria has to hold the tiny horse at a distance to not get kicked in the face. Doesn’t this thing have a leash? A stable? Something? The filly twists her neck to glare with those huge eyes, blue and absolutely furious. Maria never thought an animal could look so…angry. And not just angry, but upset. It’s almost like… Diamond Tiara screams. It does not sound like a horse. That is a baby—a human baby—scream. “Dios mío!” Maria drops the pony. She can only stare as the foal goes to war on the remaining throw pillows and stomps the Italian leather. The little pink chest heaves. This is how horror movies start. The alpaca blanket is kicked aside, with less venom than before. Diamond paws at the carpet. She throws back her head and screams again, a long piping wail that stretches and stretches until it breaks into sobs. The horse actually sobs. Tears and everything. Tiny horse or no tiny horse, Maria Flores knows a tantrum when she sees one. She’ll worry about her sanity later. “That’s enough, missy.” Diamond struggles as the maid scoops her up again, but not much. She seems to have exhausted herself. “Look at that mess, you proud of yourself?” Diamond Tiara sniffles and blinks at the carnage her tantrum wrought. Her silky tail flicks against Maria’s arms. She hiccups and sniffs again. “Ssh, Lucy’s coming back.” She brushes lavender curls from Diamond’s eyes. “You think she wants to come back to a big fuss?” Oh god, I am talking to a pony. The filly pouts, but she’s stopped crying at least. She fidgets and snorts. Oh god, I think the pony understands. “Look, Maria will make your dinner, ok? A nice big bowl of oatmeal and honey, huh?” Diamond wipes her nose on Maria’s sleeve. What have I gotten myself into...   November, 2004 “Hi, Maria. Thanks for watching my little Diamond for me.” “Miss Burdock, listen—” “I know, I know. I got back like, way later than I said I was, soooo… ta-da! Check it out, Merlot 1987. They were giving them out as party favors, you can have it.” “Uh, thank you. Diamond fell asleep in your bed, and I didn’t want to move her. She—” “How was darling Diamond Tiara? …Ugh, great. Now Daisy texts me back.” “That’s the thing. When you left, she… cried.” “Hm? Oh, yeah I thought she might. Do you want me to walk you out?” “No, you don’t understand. She cried. Screamed. Like a…. a toddler.” “Aw, poor Diamond. But she got over it, right?” “Eventually, but it was literally like—” “Great, I knew she’d be okay. Thanks a bunch again, Maria. You’re a lifesaver. Night!” “I… fine. Goodnight, Miss Lucille.” February, 2005   Diamond Tiara tilts her neck at juuuust the right way so her new gold necklace can flash in the sun. The horseshoe charm matches her new blue sweater and little yellow booties perfectly. “What a pretty filly!” Diamond grins and puts her nose in the air. Lucy kisses it. “You sure are!” Of course she is. Saying so is like saying the sky is blue or plaid is hideous. It’s just a fact of life. Still, she nods as Lucy nods to affirm it and gladly accepts the ear rubs. The necklace is the perfect end to a perfect day. The spring season is coming in soon. Spring means they get to go to the shopping center, the really good one. Today’s had new toys and clothes and brushes, and a trip to the spa. The spa was just for Lucy, but Diamond liked watching. And now there’s brand new jewelry to look pretty in! Lucy’s always loved Diamond (the presents and attention are proof of that) but lately, she seems to love her even more than usual. The pony wonders if it’s because Brian isn’t here to distract her. They haven’t seen Brian in a while. Back when green trees and pretty decorations were all over the mall, Lucy and Brian yelled at each other. Diamond really hadn’t liked that. It was almost as bad as the time Lucy accidentally left her at home. They talked really soft at first, but their voices sounded… hard. Then Brian got really loud and scary and that made Lucy get loud and scary. Diamond isn’t sure what happened after that, because she hid in the Louis Vuitton. She just knows that soon after, Lucy was stomping so hard the bag banged around and made Diamond’s stomach upset. When the filly got sick in the bag, she was really scared Lucy would yell at her too. Lucy didn’t notice, though. But she did cry a lot. But it’s all okay, now! There’s more cuddles and presents than ever, with so many new dresses. Not just for Diamond Tiara, but for Lucy too! The day after all the yelling, they had so many bags they had to make two trips. It’s so much better without Brian. Lucy can pay attention to important things. Diamond’s decided she never liked Brian anyway. His hair was stupid and he never said nice things to her, and he smelled weird. Sometimes he’d lock the door and keep Lucy all to himself all night, and didn’t even care if Diamond was waiting outside. Who needs stupid, selfish people like that hanging around all the time? On the way home, Lucy gets an ice cream cake for her (she says it’s for Maria’s birthday, but it’s still Diamond’s cake). It’s rainbow on the outside and chocolate on the inside. It’s cold and chewy and the best thing Diamond Tiara’s ever, ever had. But eventually, she’s finished. She licks a few crumbs off the chilly plate, and then looks around. Lucy and Maria are still eating ice cream cake, but they’re standing up and the cake is on the counter. Too high for Diamond to jump. They have cake. Diamond does not have cake. This is a problem. Lucy needs to fix this, but she’s too busy talking to Maria. Neither of them will look at her, even when she waves her hoof and smiles. Diamond Tiara stomps a firm little hoof on the linoleum. “More.” Lucy and Maria get quiet. They look at her, then at each other, then at Diamond again. Their mouths are moving around, but no sound comes out. Lucy’s eyes get really, really big. She looks silly. Lucy drops her fork, still holding ice cream cake. Diamond Tiara licks it off and laughs, delighted. “More!”