Chapter 38: Temptation of a Sunflower
Big Macintosh could not believe the nerve of his great aunt. “Nope. That ain’t right,” he said in disbelief. “Y’all lost yer husbands at the same time. Why’d she think she could go after Granddad while ya sat back and didn’t?”
Granny Smith chuckled as she thought back on it. “She was use to gettin’ what she wanted,” she explained. “Besides, she wanted a place of her own again, somepony to look after her kids, and a few slaves caterin’ to her. She rationalized all this by tellin’ me she’d be outta mah hair after she got married to Crab Apple. ‘Course this sounded mighty fine since I missed mah mama and son, but I had to admit I started feelin’ a lil’ jealous. After that talk in the bunkhouse, me and Crab Apple were startin’ to become real friends, and I had to admit to mahself how nice it was to have somepony to talk to…”
With the agreement settled in the bunkhouse, Crab Apple no longer had a need to blackmail Smithy with going to the police. The police hadn't been sniffing around Sweet Apple Acres in weeks about Stinking Rich's death, chalking it up to gang violence instead of a planned murder attempt. This was a huge burden lifted off both of their shoulders, but they knew they still had to be careful with Sunflower and her children around.
Sunflower was a force to be reckoned with, and over the next month she had all but taken over Sweet Apple Acres. The only thing keeping her from being the owner was the deed on the land, which Smithy kept hold of due to Stinking Rich’s will. Sunflower knew not to contend with that due to how good Stinking Rich had been to her family, and while Smithy knew this to be a show on his part, she did appreciate the effect he had left with her brother’s family. This was the only upper hoof that she had left at this point.
Crab Apple noticed Sunflower’s thirst for power too, and was slightly put off by it. He’d noticed how flirtatious she had become too, and it felt uncomfortable accepting gifts and favors from a woman who retrieved those gifts and favors by using slave labor. He did his best to be polite to keep peace, but he was eager to see an end to it.
The bunkhouse had been torn down as planned a few weeks after Smithy and Crab Apple’s talk. They decided to built a huge bonfire with the old wood, allowing the slaves to enjoy themselves before constructing a new windmill. Smithy figured that a windmill would look less conspicuous than a bunkhouse, making for a better place for runaway slaves to hide. Crab Apple added the idea of a basement for storage, giving the runaways an extra place to hide in case of emergencies. They kept the intention of the building secret from Sunflower, who would have hated the idea of losing slaves.
Sunflower sat under the shade of a tree to watch the slaves raise the new windmill, sipping on a glass of lemonade while her children played nearby. She couldn’t understand why Smithy and Crab Apple insisted on helping with the construction, but she had to admit to herself how much she liked watching Crab Apple work. He was a strong man, and the sweat from working was making his clothes stick to all the right places.
Her staring was cut short when Tess brought her an envelope. “A message for you, miss," she said with a low, respectful bow.
Sunflower quickly dismissed the slave, annoyed by having her man watching interrupted. She quickly scanned the letter inside, her annoyance turning to elation as soon as she realized what it had to say. “Father wants me back in Canterlot!" she exclaimed to herself, smiling from ear to ear. “I must tell Smithy the good news. She'll be thrilled for me!"
Sunflower was about to call over her former sister-in-law when she caught sight of Crab Apple wiping sweat from his brow with a handkerchief. “Smithy can wait," she said to herself with a hungry smile. “I could use a man like Mr. Crab Apple a lot more than she does."
Taking a nice, soothing breath, Sunflower called out to the man she intended to catch. “You who!” she waved flirtatiously. “Want a break, Crab Apple? This lemonade is just heavenly!”
The last thing on Crab Apple’s mind was taking a break, but one look from Smithy changed that thought. He knew he had to keep up appearances if he wanted the farm to be used the way that he wanted. “Sure, why not,” he said as he put on a gentlemanly show. “Dat lemonade looks good, and it’s hot as Tartarus out here.”
Sunflower beamed at the attention as she watched Crab Apple guzzle down his tall glass of lemonade. “Tess makes a good cool drink, don’t you agree?” she said as she refilled Crab Apple’s glass. “I just don’t know what I would do without her or the rest of the zigglers. I am so blessed to have them here to help me get over the death of my husband, may the stars rest his soul. Of course, Smithy is a tremendous comfort, don't you agree?”
Crab Apple noticed the starry-eyed look on Sunflower’s face, and distracted himself with another sip of lemonade. “Yeah,” he said as he they both looked at Smithy helping a slave secure a beam. “She’s quite a gal, ain’t she? I better go help her with dat beam. She’s outta shape as it is. I bet she could use dis break more than me.”
Sunflower reached out for Crab Apple’s hoof to keep him where he was. “Hang on,” she said in a sing song tone. “I didn’t tell you my good news yet. I got a letter from my father in Canterlot. He finally got back to me about moving back home. He bought a house for my children and I so that we can finally have a place of our own, but it sounds so big! I’ll need the help of a big, strong stallion like you to help me get settled in.”
Crab Apple gulped back his anxieties as he watched Sunflower bat her eyelashes at him. “Ah, gee,” he said as he rubbed the back of his head. “Dat’s quite an offer, but I think Smiddy needs more help with dis windmill. You got help you can get on your own, right? I mean, great gal like yourself, lotta guys'd fall inta dat gaze you got there.”
Sunflower was quick to dismiss Crab Apple’s worries. “Oh, pish posh,” she mused. “Smithy’s as capable as anypony I know, and she has more than enough zigglers to compensate for your absence. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind if I borrowed you for a few days or more. You can ask her yourself if it worries you so much.”
Sunflower waved her sister-in-law down before Crab Apple had a moment to protest. “Smithy dear!” she called out. “Could you put down your work for a moment? We have some exciting news to tell you!”
Noticing her sister-in-law’s request, Smithy politely dismissed herself from the construction project. “What’s gotcha all excited?” she asked cordially as she wiped sweat from her brow.
Sunflower could barely contain herself as she poured her sister-in-law a glass of lemonade. “Father has bought me a house in Canterlot!” she exclaimed as she handed Smithy a glass. “I shall need to be ready by tomorrow. He intends to come pick my family and I up by taxi, and he is sending carts for everything else. The only problem is that I need some help moving into my new home, what with the kids rushing around and all. Your Mr. Crab Apple here has offered his aid, but I fear for the construction of your windmill. Would you be capable of building it in his absence?”
Smithy lowered her glass at the mention of Crab Apple leaving. She noticed him blushing at being mentioned. “Well, I guess it’s alright,” she said more to him than to her sister-in-law.
Crab Apple blushed even harder, finding it difficult to make eye contact with Smithy. “Ah, I dunno,” he said as he scraped his hoof along the ground. “I don’t wanna cause a fuss, especially since you got all dat buildin’ ta do.”
Smithy could see a pleading look in Sunflower’s eyes, one that suggested she really wanted Crab Apple to join her. Smithy sighed as she tried to smile. “I can handle it,” she said, seeing her sister-in-law make a gleeful gesture. “We got all the blueprints in order, so it should be almost built by the time Crab Apple gets back. I got a good team of zebras to help me out.”
Sunflower giggled as she made eyes at Crab Apple. “If he comes back you mean!” she said with a suggestive wink. “Canterlot is the most romantic city in all of Equestria after all, and after hearing its siren song he may well decide to stay put.”
Smithy’s cheeks were just as red as Crab Apple’s, but for entirely different reasons. She had been looking forward to making more plans with Crab Apple for the Underground Junction as soon as Sunflower was off of her farm, and now she was risking losing him to the very pony who had already kept these plans on hold. She could not believe it, but she was actually feeling jealous. “Mah gracious!” she said, giving Crab Apple a look of disappointment. “I had no idea y’all were an item! I’d give ya mah blessin’s but clearly that won’t be necessary. Clearly y’all are slaves to each other’s affections.”
The word ‘slave’ hit Crab Apple hard. “Hey! Wait just a minute…” he began, only to be cut off by Sunflower snuggling against his sweaty chest.
Sunflower was resting a little too long and a little too comfortably against Crab Apple, which seemed to disturb him just as much as it disturbed Smithy. “Isn’t he the best!” Sunflower insisted. “Oh, we’ve got so much planning to do! I have to get all the laundry together, and get everything out of storage, and what am I forgetting? We should go back to the house, don’t you think?”
Smithy nodded her head before Crab Apple could get in a word edgewise. “By all means,” she interjected. “Heck, let’s all go. The windmill ain’t important or anythin’. Why I bet yer gonna miss havin’ zebras 'round fer all yer dirty work anyhow. May as well enjoy ‘em while ya got ‘em!”
Sunflower’s eyes lit up at the mention of slaves, and she clapped her hooves before Crab Apple could even speak. “You’re right, dear!” she exclaimed. “We will be needing zebras! All the more reason for Crab Apple to stay with me in Canterlot. Oh Smithy, you are too good. I don’t know how I would plan this without you. Don’t you agree, Crab Apple dear?”
In spite of finally being given a chance to speak, Crab Apple felt he had nothing to say. “Ah, sure,” he mumbled, failing to see any sign of camaraderie in Smithy’s expression.
They had spent the night packing in silence, save for the small talk brought on by Sunflower’s continuous chatting. She was bounding around like an excited filly on her first trip, saying whatever was on her mind.
Smithy and Crab Apple barely looked at each other, and Smithy was eager not try not to get in his way. She felt that distancing herself would help make his departure easier. As for the Underground Junction, she was trying to prepare herself to do it alone. She was relieved to hear her kitchen timer going off, giving her an excuse to get out of the room and retrieve some muffins she had baking for her sister-in-law’s trip.
It was well past midnight when the last bags were packed, and by then everypony was exhausted and ready to go to bed. Sunflower yawned dramatically as she leaned against Crab Apple. “What a chore!” she exclaimed. “I just don’t know how I would have done it all without your help. How can I repay you for everything you’ve done for me?”
Crab Apple blushed as she looked into his eyes. “Fogetta ‘bout it,” he replied as he backed into a large trunk.
Sunflower giggled as he looked behind him to see what he’d run into. “You are just too modest,” she said in a sultry voice. “If there is anything I can do to repay you, and I mean anything, than don’t hesitate to ask. I’m all yours.”
A thump was heard from behind Crab Apple which made him jump. He was expecting to see Smithy, but instead saw Sunflower’s son, Dandelion. “Mom,” her son said as he rubbed his tired little eyes. “I had a bad dream. Can I sleep with you tonight?”
Sunflower rolled her eyes as she went to her son, disappointed that the moment had been ruined. “Dandelion, sweetie, go back to bed,” she said as motherly as she could. “Mommy’s got grown up plans for tonight.”
Crab Apple was relieved to see the colt standing there, clutching onto his teddy bear. He tussled Dandelion’s hair affectionately as he walked out into the hallway. “Hey buddy, why don’t da two a you sort dis out,” he said. “I need ta stretch my legs anyway. I’ll catch up with you later, Sunflower. Okay?”
Sunflower pouted as he began to walk down the hall. “You promise?” she almost begged.
Crab Apple stopped to look over his shoulder at the rather pathetic display. “Yeah, sure,” he said quickly before walking down the steps. From behind him he could hear Sunflower shouting, “I’ll be in my room. I’ll wait up for you!”
Apple Bloom leaned in as she listened to the story. “Did he end up goin’ back to Auntie Sunflower?” she asked.
Granny Smithy smiled as she shook her head. “Nope,” she replied. “He walked right on past me on his way out the front door without sayin’ a word, and he didn’t come back ‘til dawn. I didn’t understand why at first, but a couple days after they left fer Canterlot, I found out why.”
Granny Smith turned to a page in the scrapbook with a letter penned by Crab Apple. “I found this here note on mah desk in mah bedroom a couple days later. Here, take a look fer yerselves.”
Granny Smithy held out the note for her grandchildren to each take a turn reading. It read the following:
Dear Smithy,
I know you’re upset about this whole thing with Sunflower, but do me a favor and don’t be. She’s got the mentality of a slave owner, and I would hope by now you’d understand how unattractive I find that kind of thing. Seriously, my best friend is a runaway slave, and so was the woman I loved. I’d be the biggest hypocrite in Equestria to turn my back on them in exchange for a little hanky panky with a spoiled elitist like her. Don’t tell her I said that, but she really is a spoiled elitist. I call them as I see them.
To show you no hard feelings, please accept this gift enclosed in the envelope. I found it last night on my walk. You left it around your lover’s memorial stick on the night we ran away from the timberwolves and it was still there. No offense, but I'm not even going to attempt spelling his name. Bad memory, remember? And apparently, I'm not so good at pronouncing names. I'm still working on pronouncing yours correctly.
I replaced the braided Zebrican chain on it with a silver one for two reasons. One, it was broken, and two, it got really moldy. The stone’s still there, but now it’s on something that won’t break as easily. I hope that’s okay with you.
By the way, don’t tell Sunflower I took her silver chain. She’s got plenty of jewelry, so I don’t think she’ll miss one simple silver chain. Still, I get the feeling she won’t like hearing this, so let’s keep it our little secret.
While Salty Ron and I are in Canterlot, we plan to stay in a hotel. The good news is that we have a connection in Canterlot that we want to make communication with while we’re there, so it won’t be a completely wasted trip. Besides, a free ride to Canterlot in exchange for being moving men is a win-win.
Please keep up the construction on the windmill while I’m gone. It’s a great idea and I can’t tell you how much it means to me to have you on my side in the Underground Junction. I should be back in about a week, so be ready for an inspection. I know you know what you’re doing, but I like making sure everything is in order. I’m picky that way.
Yours truly,
Crab Apple
P.S. Salty Ron says to say hello to Lizza for him. If you ask me, I think he’s getting kind of sweet on her. He also says to take care of the pecan trees while he’s gone. He's picky that way too.
Smithy set the letter down with tears of relief pouring down her cheeks. All their planning, that talk in the bunkhouse, all the friendship they had shared, and all the hopes she felt for the slaves, all of it was not wasted after all. The best part of it all was seeing the onyx stone dangling from the thin silver chain and knowing that she could once again put it around her neck. She felt like a missing piece of herself was coming back to her as she fastened it around her neck. She could almost feel Bladire’s presence in the room as she touched the smooth stone.
The moment was cut short by a knock at the door. Smithy wiped her eyes on the back of her hoof as she turned around to see Crab Apple smiling at her. “Catch you at a bad time?” he asked, holding out a handkerchief to help with her crying.
Smithy was happy to accept the handkerchief and eagerly blew her nose. “Sorry fer all the dramatics,” she breathed. “I just found yer letter. Thank ya fer fixin’ mah necklace. This means so much.”
Crab Apple was glad to see that his gift was well received. “Fogetta ‘bout it,” he smiled humbly. “I’m just glad them tears are for somethin’ good instead of another meltdown. You wouldn’t believe da meltdown your sister-in-law had when I told her I just wasn’t inta her. We hightailed it outta Canterlot without even makin’ our contact! She went dat nuts!”
Smithy chuckled as she imagined how bad it could have been. “So that’s why yer back so early,” she snortled. “Here yer letter said ya’d be back in a week.”
The mention of a letter reminded Crab Apple that he was carrying Smithy’s mail. “Oh, I got all dis outta da mailbox on my way in,” he said as he handed her a stack of envelopes.
Smithy flipped though the short stack quickly, stopping suddenly on a letter from Dodge City. “It’s from mah family,” she said almost in shock. She hadn’t heard word from them since she left them in Dodge City for fear of Crab Apple’s gang. She quickly opened the envelope and read what it said:
Dear Smithy,
Your son and I are worried about you. We miss our home, and quite frankly I don’t know what’s going on anymore. Filthy Rich wakes up at night with nightmares about a bad pony killing his father, and he says the bad pony is coming after him. Is there something you’re not telling me?
The police have been useless in this whole mess. They've kept questioning Filthy Rich, who just keeps breaking down and crying over the whole mess. I don't think they have many leads to go off of, and every time I approach them about it they tell me they're working on it. I think they're lying just to shut me up at this point, but I won't shut up! I'll get to the bottom of this, even if I have to go to Princess Celestia herself!
Filthy Rich started a school here in Dodge City. He is doing well and has made some friends. They set up a lemonade stand in front of Grossly Rich’s general store a few days ago, and it was so cute! I wish you could have seen it. I took pictures of the whole thing. He even earned his cutie mark doing it! I took pictures of them selling lemonade, and let me tell you, he is a natural born salespony. I’ve never seen him looking happier, though he’d be happier selling lemonade at home.
Write back soon! We miss you! We’re staying with Fairly Rich and his wife, Velvet, in their guest room.
XOXO
Sew n’ Sow
A second letter was behind it from her son that read:
Dear Mama,
I HATE IT HERE! I want to come home! I miss you, and I miss my friends. Is the bad pony gone?
Love,
Filthy Rich
On the back of her son’s letter was a drawing of Sweet Apple Acres with her, her late husband, her mother, and her son all standing in front of the barn with big crayon smiles. She could tell that her son was still grieving, and it refreshed the guilt she felt knowing that she was to blame for it. “What am I gonna do with that boy?” she said softly while burying her eyes in the handkerchief.
Crab Apple lowered his gaze, knowing that part of that blame was his for how everything went down the night he did his job. “You miss ‘em, don’t you?” he said softly, looking up to see Smithy nodding. “I guess your boy won’t like seein’ me here. Maybe I should go.”
Before Smithy could think properly, she grabbed Crab Apple's shoulder. “No!” she exclaimed before she could reel in how she felt. “I mean… I need ya here to help with the Underground Junction. Heaven knows mah mama and son are only gonna try puttin’ a stop to that.”
Crab Apple was surprised to hear this. “You sure?” he asked. “I mean, your sister-in-law may be crazy, but she was right in sayin’ how capable you are.”
Smithy blushed demurely at the compliment, but decided to brush it aside for more important things. “Heaven knows I miss mah family, but they got the same thoughts Sunflower has 'bout zebra slavery. T'ain’t right, and fer the first time in mah life, I wanna stand up and do somethin’ 'bout it. I want Filthy Rich to understand why I feel this way, and I want him growin’ up a good boy instead of a slave rustler. I gotta do it fer him, and I gotta do it fer me, even if it does hurt.”
Crab Apple couldn’t help feeling proud of Smithy. “Dat’s a big sacrifice,” he said as he stood beside her.
Smithy let out a big sigh as she felt Crab Apple rub her shoulders to comfort her. “I know,” she said as she wiped her eyes again. “But if I don’t do it, I’ll be lettin’ the Faction of the Stud win again. That’s the last thing I want. I can’t go back to that anymore.”
A fresh flood of tears came to Smithy’s eyes as she thought about what her life had been like for almost a decade. “I know ya do a fine job trafficin’ slaves outta Equestria, but I feel like there’s more I need to do,” she cried. “I swear, as Celestia as mah witness, I am gonna get that princess to see the error of her ways. Even if it means I lose everythin’, I’ll go to the gallows knowin’ I did everythin’ I could fer mah kin.” She remembered the day that her Grammy Gillyflower said the same thing before her family fled from Dodge City, and she was starting to understand what such a hard decision felt like.
Crab Apple threw an arm around the brave pony’s shoulders. “You ain’t alone,” he said as he gently rocked her. “You gotta bunch a friends here ta back you up.”
Smithy blushed as she turned to face Crab Apple. He was so close that she was afraid he could feel how fast her heart was beating. “Alright then,” she said as confidently as she could as she got up from her chair. “Don’t just stand there with yer head hangin’. We got plannin’ to do! Now where’s that notebook ya always got on ya?”