“You’re a jerk.”
“No, you’re a jerk.”
Daniel brushed Diamond’s tail with the coarse brush until it felt like silk.
“At least I have prospects. No girl’s ever going to fall for you. You’re an idiot. And ugly to boot.”
Daniel hesitated mid-stroke as the intended sting of Gerald’s statement hit its mark.
“Not every girl’s interested in some guy who thinks he’s a hot-shot dandy, you know,” muttered Daniel.
Gerald snorted and stood in the doorway of the barn, studying the sky. “Hurry up so we can take the picture while it’s still sunny out.”
Daniel pat Diamond’s glossy coat, the result of his hours spent caring for the young mare. “If you were such a catch, you wouldn’t need to mail your picture to some girl across the country who can’t get a beau on her own,” he said.
Gerald flicked an invisible speck off his spotless starched shirt. “The pickings around here are slim, brother. You of all people should know that.” He smirked at his younger brother, all messy hair and disheveled clothes. He’d probably end up living with their mother all his life, he figured, or worse, with Edna Stancroft at the end of the road. That girl was uglier than the bullhead in Potter’s Pond. “If you want a better catch, you’ve got to cast a wider net.”
Ned from Williams Mercantile and General Goods was waiting in the yard, standing behind his big, boxy camera set up on a tripod. “Will you hurry up?” he yelled. “I’ve got to get back to the store!” These two dolts will never get off the farm, he thought. He knew Gerald thought too highly of himself, while Daniel seemed to get the short end of the stick in both brains and looks.
Daniel pulled the knot loose on Diamond’s lead and shoved the rope at Gerald. “Here,” he said. “Go take your dumb picture.”
Gerald led the shiny horse out of the barn, stood Diamond up square, and positioned himself in front of her. “This photograph is going to get me a fine wife,” Gerald gloated. “When she sees how fine I am, and with this fine horse, she’ll be begging to set a wedding date!”
Gerald puffed out his chest and looked at the camera. Sulking, Daniel had come from the barn and stood off to the side. Viewing them through the lens, underneath the dark focusing cloth of the camera, Ned had to smile at the contrast in the siblings.
“Get a little closer,” said Ned, wanting Gerald to tighten up to the horse. Instead, Daniel shuffled to the left, closer to the mare. Gerald, all conceit and pomp, sidled up to Diamond, unaware of his brother’s presence. Ned turned the camera the slightest bit left to fully encompass all three in the frame.
“Perfect,” said Ned from under cloth, and clicked the shutter.