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// A Near 'Miss' 
// Story: Trick's Flashfics 
// by Trick Question 
//------------------------------//

Big Macintosh squirmed against his horse collar. Normally it was like a second skin, but not when out eating. Unfortunately, Granny was picky about what she'd let her grandson wear around her.

"Old-fashioned potato salad. Hold off the pepper!" ordered Granny.

Their waitress nodded. "And you?" she asked, without looking up.

"I'd like a Canter salad, please," said Mac, in a soft voice.

"Sure thing, miss." The waitress collected menus and looked up to see a large stallion. "Oh! I'm sorry, sir," she added, blushing.

Mac swallowed the unique mixture of joy and pain. "It's fine," he murmured, as she trotted away.

Granny took her grandson's hoof in hers and squeezed. Mac looked up to see a half-smile on her wrinkled muzzle.

"Sonny, I may not get it, but... maybe there's somethin' to that 'Orchard Blossom' nonsense after all," she admitted, patting his hoof.

Orchard Blossom smiled back at her.