//------------------------------//
// Promises 
// Story: Appledashery Vol. Two 
// by Just Essay 
//------------------------------//

	"He ain't movin' from his spot," Applejack murmured.  It was early afternoon, and she stood in the doorframe to Apple Bloom's nursery.  "That's not all.  Big Mac simply... ain't talkin' like he used to.  He's just workin' his hide off... tryin' to get one of Pa's old plows to shine... or somethin'.  I dunno."  The teenager fiddled with her pigtails, gazing out the distant window beyond the crib.  "He's the strongest member of the family, Granny.  Without his help...I-I've no clue how we're gonna get all them apples bucked."

"Just let it be, darlin'."

Applejack did a double-take.  She glanced at the green figure in front of her.  "Granny...?"

The elder mare sat in a rocking chair with a slumbering Apple Bloom in her forelimbs.  "He's been through a lot.  We all have.  If it suits the stallion to be all silent-like and fix up old tools, then so be it."

"But Granny...!"  Applejack leaned forward.  "The apples!  They haven't been harvested yet!"

"Eh..."  Granny Smith stared down at Apple Bloom as she carressed the little filly's scarlet hair.  "We've still got time."

"We've got four days!!"  Applejack frowned.  "Even barely!  Granny... if we dun get those bucked apples to Filthy Rich now and take down the rest mighty quick—then we're up a creak!"

"Apples ain't even rakin' in the bits this season," the elder muttered.  "We've still got plenty of corn and raddishes left.  That'll carry us through."

"Are you even listenin' to yerself right now?!"

"Sure am, darlin'—"

"Granny, without apples, we won't even have a cider season!  That's our biggest source of profit outside of zapapples!"

"It just ain't that important this year."

"Of course it is, Granny!"  Applejack stammered.  "I can't believe for a second that you and Big Mac are just gonna sit lazily by while—"

"Applejack!"  Granny Smith snapped, glaring daggers across the room.  She sat ice-still in the rocking chair, gently calming Apple Bloom before the infant could stir awake.  "Dun you think we've got far more pressin' thangs to worry about right now?!"

Applejack stared with her muzzle agape.  "Like what...?"

Granny Smith simply sighed.

"Granny...?"

"I made a promise, Applejack," the mare murmured, her voice wavering slightly.  "A promise to yer Ma while she still clung to life.  T'ain't no way I'm gonna let what's most fragile in this family go to waste."  She leaned down to nuzzle the infant.  "I'm right where I'm needed the most... and I ain't budgin'.  When yer my age and all you've got left are promises..."  She sniffled.  "Maybe you'll understand."

Applejack stared at her.  "You can help me with the crops and still keep yer promise, Granny."

"Dun tell me what to do," Granny Smith grunted.  "I know where I'm needed."

"But if the farm goes south... what then?!"  Applejack waved.  "If we can't provide for Apple Bloom, the little hayseed's good as dead!  Where will yer promise be now?"

"Applejack—"

"Big Mac is already diggin' his spurs into the earth!  Granny, I need you if we're gonna get the harvest done on—"

"T'ain't no harvest that needs bein' done!" Granny Smith growled, teeth flashing beneath her gums.  "Not now!  Not while we're still recoverin'—"

"Recoverin'?! Granny, I'm only talkin' about—"

"Are you sassin' me?!"  Granny Smith's eyes flared.  "What I say on this farm is final—and I say drop it!"

Apple Bloom jolted awake.  The infant began sobbing.

Granny Smith huffed a heavy sigh.  "Now look what you gone and did!  Are you happy with yerself?"

Applejack trembled.  "Granny..."

"Make yerself useful and git!"  Granny Smith pivoted the rocking chair away from Applejack and began soothing Apple Bloom's tiny sobs.  "Can't you see I've got a promise to keep?"

Biting her lip, Applejack slowly... obediently backtrotted out of the room.