I've gotten over Minty's lies. Well, if I can call them that. I've determined that her age just finally showed itself. Most foals just tend to lean on their mothers more, and whatever her mom says she'll believe. So if Frosty sees Churner as this hot-headed pony who loves work more than family, she'll tell Minty about it and turn her against her father. She's barely two years younger than me, so she should develop her own opinion about him soon. I mean, she would, if she spent more time with him.

Yes, it's occurred to me that that's the real reason Frosty moved away. I don't really care what she does though, because Minty's heading to her dream. I'm getting closer to my dream as well.

Churner has paid me fairly, like he promised and I'd be lying if I said he didn't get to me once or twice while I watched him churn. The position he's in gives me a surprisingly good view from where I am and I think I understand what Frosty saw in him the first time. His appropriately cream-colored coat, unkempt fetlocks over clean hooves, his oddly peach-colored mane tied back in a tail. He keeps it back during work, but I've never seen it down and almost too many times do I wish I could see it down, long over his hazel eyes. He keeps his tail long, but trimmed. And the way he moves... if you could see his ass while he walks.

Don't say it, I know. I'm a sick pony. That's my friend’s dad!

But still, with as torn apart as I've felt the past week and a half. He makes me feel happy, he's got a good attitude and... I guess, I feel safe with him.

I've never touched him, beyond a hoof-shake or meaningless side-swipe in the small workplace. It just hit me, he's probably got a great relationship with Frosty's mother to still be getting cream and still have enough money to pay me. He really is a great guy.

Plus, he just recently got a whole lot better.

I was just counting the bits we'd made for the day while he takes down the "Open" sign. We made quite a profit, and today's Friday. I wait until he's inside and tell him I'm taking my four.

"Take an extra," he offers.

"...Really?" I'm stunned.

"Yeah, you earned it." He checks the ice box. "Plus we sold out. Ten whole pounds of butter. That'll buy me a month's worth a cream from Aunty-- I mean, from Dawnette."

He was about to say "Aunty Dawn," Minty's grandma. He always called her that around Minty, and it always bothered her. Then again, it was probably just how she felt about him. Dawn still likes Churner, so I guess she gives him quite a discount. Really, if thirty-one bits can buy him a month's worth of cream. Well, thirty-two. I decided not to take that one extra. I don't totally know why.

"Well, tomorrow's her birthday," I hear Churner say. I'm just putting my money away, getting ready to leave. "Dawnette, and she feels a little sad for me, I guess, told me to bring somepony with me."

I laugh a little with him. His is more awkward, while mine is polite.

"It's like she's worried about me, being lonely," he says, a little downhearted though hiding fairly well. "Like she still considers me family."

I sigh, starting to feel sorry for him myself. Frosty and Minty were all he had, Dawn's almost too nice for being so supportive.

He shakes his head, brushing off the gloom. "Well anyway, you wanna come?"

My eyes widen, surprised. "To the party?"

"Well, it's more of just dinner and cake. But, yeah." He's awkward. Is he afraid I'm taking this as him asking me on a date? Because I totally was, at first.

"Yeah, I'd love to." I'd have to convince my dad, but he's actually been fine with me working every day of the week. "Does this mean we're closed tomorrow?"

He laughs in a way that sounds embarrassed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Uhh... how about a half-day?"

Thinking about it, he was probably planning on giving me the day off. Then why'd he change his mind? "Sure, sounds like a plan."

"Perfect," he states, no longer sounding out of place. "I'll see you in the morning."

"Absolutely." I liked the plan, I'd just be going to work, I could easily explain to dad where I was after I got home. "See you then."

He moves to me and I guess he wants a hoof-shake. I'm surprised when he moves a little closer and hugs me. He's so strong, and it's such a good hug, full hug. Not like those half-hugs my brothers would give me for fear of seeming awkward. In his embrace, he's holding me so close I can smell butter in his mane. His fore hoof around my back, mine around his, our necks pressed together. I feel his shoulder flexing, just enough to hold me as close as he wants me.

It isn't until just before he pushes away do I notice a flaw; his chest is softer than it looks, gently brushed, strong, but soft. It doesn't sound like much, but I refused to believe he was all perfect, and I guess a soft chest is a little too femme for me. But the rest of him...

"Everything all right pal?" He snaps me out of a trance.

I can't think of how to answer, but I can't tell the truth. "Yeah, all good," I fix my glasses. I don't think it's a lie. I feel good.

"Well good," he pats my shoulder once more, "see you in the morning."

"So long," I call as he walks out. I smile to myself, then grab my saddle bag and head out, making sure the door is locked.

I’m incredibly excited for tomorrow, and spend the walk home wondering how it will go. It’s probably going to be awkward, me being so young at such an old mare’s celebration, invited by a stallion nearly old enough to be my father. Maybe that part wasn’t so weird, considering we’re coworkers first. Plus, Dawnette and I are pretty friendly, as well, so that’s not a problem. I do wonder if anypony else will be there. It hardly matters, though, as long as I get to spend some time having fun.

Everything is going so well, I think. I wonder what it's gonna be that ruins it.