I sighed a sigh of relief as I locked up my office–finally ready to enjoy winter break.
“Have a great Hearth’s Warming, Starlight!” Twilight said as she was also going home for break.
“You too, Twilight. Say hi to Spike for me.”
It had been a busy week–I was frantic seeing all the students I could before everyone left for the holidays. But fortunately, I was able to end my day at a reasonable time. Even so, the school was pretty empty as I walked out of my office to go home. But as I walked down the halls, I saw my green-eyed earth pony friend sitting at her desk in the classroom. The door was ajar. Maybe it was my guidance counselor instincts, but I wondered if she could use some company. I lightly tapped the door.
“Hey Applejack. Still here?”
Applejack glanced at me, but she didn’t respond, still fixated on something at her desk. I entered the room.
“What do you have there?”
Applejack passed the picture to me.
“We found this while decorating the farm yesterday.”
It was a family picture. Big Mac and Applejack were around 9 and 5 opening gifts around the Hearth’s Warming tree. Pear Butter was rocking baby Apple Bloom in her chair with Bright Mac standing behind it. Granny Smith was across the room in her rocking chair as well.
“I got my first guitar that year,” Applejack said. “I was a little young to learn how to play, but I begged ma and pa for so long to get one because I loved hearing ma play so much.”
I wondered where Applejack’s musical talent came from.
“This was the last Hearth’s Warming they were with us,” she continued. “The accident happened about two months later. They never got to hear me play.”
I hadn’t seen many pictures of Applejack’s parents nor knew too much about them or how they died–at least compared to friends that had known AJ longer. They looked like a normal, loving family. It sent chills down my spine that not long after, they weren’t so normal anymore.
“They really loved you,” I told Applejack.
“Yeah. That’s what people usually say,” Applejack responded. “It is a lovely picture. I thought I’d bring it with me. Give me good luck on the last day of classes or something.” Her eyes started to furrow as she continued to look at the picture. I knew that her sometimes short temper was about to be on full display.
“Ugh, I hate it!!!” she shouted. “I hate that this was the only Hearth’s Warming Apple Bloom spent with our parents. I hate that whenever I see parents and kids together, a part of me still wants to break down crying… I… I…”
Just as quickly as the anger came, it turned into sadness as Applejack started sobbing. Even though I didn’t want to make this about me, I started thinking about how foolish I was regarding Sunburst. My friend I cared about deeply was alive and well, yet I was too much of a coward to reach out until it could have been too late. I felt grateful that it wasn’t and that I had a relationship with him now. But my mind went back to Applejack.
“I’m sorry, Starlight. I didn’t… expect that to happen,” she said, sniffing as she was composing herself. “I… I’ve never really talked much about my folks with you, have I? I don’t mean to dump all this on you. Every time I think I’m over it…” Applejack said, shaking her head.
It was a shock to see such a strong pony be so vulnerable, but I was glad she felt safe to do so.
“You don’t get over something like that, Applejack. I’m the one who should be sorry. I can’t believe I never thought how weird this time of year could be for you.”
It was true. In the couple years I’d known her, Applejack seemed to be so confident and unbreakable. It saddened me to remember there was a reason she was that way. But I cringed as I still was making this about me. Fortunately, Applejack didn’t seem to notice.
“It isn’t all bad,” she shrugged. “It took a while to get there, but I now look at Hearth’s Warming as a reminder of what I do have rather than what I don’t. I cherish the memories I do have with my parents, like this.” She pointed at the picture. “And I’m grateful for the family and friends I do have. Like you.”
I smiled at my friend. The feeling was mutual.
“Come. I’ll treat you to dinner. I’d love to hear more Apple Family stories.”