//------------------------------// // Twelve Years Passed // Story: Home is Where the Heart Is // by Revenant Wings //------------------------------// Four ponies were seated in the Apple family living room. Granny Smith, now wide awake, had rearranged her spot in the chair and was looking almost disbelievingly at Braeburn, on the couch between Applejack and Big Macintosh. “It’s not like you to just come on down on a social visit,” Applejack was telling Braeburn. “I think the last time you came down from Appleoosa was for the reunion about three years ago. But other than that, it’s been twelve years and you missed the Summer Sun Festival that one year.” “Well,” Braeburn responded, “things have been pretty busy at the farm in Appleoosa. There’s so many more things to do to take care of the land when you’re in a desert climate.” “I’d imagine so,” Applejack said, “but don’t you get some sort of off-season?” “Every other of our families everywhere else manages to find some time during the year to visit us,” Big Macintosh added. “Or, sometimes, we visit them.” “You’ve sent postcards, but otherwise have been out for over twelve years,” Applejack said. “I’m sorry,” Braeburn said. “I really meant to not be such a stranger, but I’ve just been so consumed in my work and helping out around Appleoosa.” “So do you have a little time now?” “A little?” Braeburn asked incredulously. “Season’s gone good enough I figured I could stay for two weeks!” “Two weeks!?” Granny Smith was suddenly shouting. She got up off her chair and advanced towards Braeburn. “I’ve gone for twelve years without hearing a word from you! You even managed to sneak off from the last reunion before I so much got five minutes with you!” “Now, Granny, farming in the desert’s kind of a hassle,” Braeburn said. “I am sorry. I wished I could write more, but there was just so little time.” “Ooh…” Granny Smith fumed. “You’re lucky your ma and pa died only a few years back, ‘cause I’m inclined to raise them from their grave to chew you out for what you done did!” “Granny!” Applejack said hurriedly. “While I want to hear exactly what happened, you should keep it down so you don’t wake Apple Bloom!” “Where is she?” Braeburn asked excitedly. “I wanna see my little cousin all grown up!” “Sleepin’ for school tomorrow,” Applejack said sternly. “You’ll have enough time for talkin’ to her then.” “What happened back then, Brae?” Big Macintosh asked. “Well, I had a spat,” Braeburn admitted. “Ma and pa thought I’d take over the family farm. I was the oldest and the only colt. But, then, I decided I wanted to see the world. I traveled all over Equestria; the only place I hadn’t been to was the Crystal Empire. I traveled for about a year before heading down to Dodge Junction and starting a farm there. I hired a couple of other ponies and a fellow Apple Family member, and headed off on an expedition to found Appleoosa, where I started the farm I work at now. My time lately has been split between Appleoosa and Dodge Junction, where I looked on the other farm to see how it did.” “I don’t care that you left,” Granny Smith said. “I care that you did without tellin’ us a thing! Not a word… one day, you said you were headin’ off without warnin’, and we only just met you at the station to see you off.” “Granny, you have to understand. Ma and pa were mad at me and wanted me out of that house. And while I was an Apple and deserved to run the farm, I just figured that place wasn’t mine. I had to go and start my own homestead and apple farm.” “But twelve years… without a single notice! And suddenly, you come waltzin’ in here like nothin’ happened! Well, a bit happened in twelve years! What happened when your ma and pa died?” “I had a memorial for them, and the townsponies allowed me a week of solitude.” “So why didn’t you come down in that week!?” “As good as Appleoosa’s been to me, I often barely scrape by. I didn’t have enough money for a train ticket.” “Well, you should’ve sent a letter,” Applejack said before Granny Smith could continue. “We could have paid your way.” “Eeyup,” Big Macintosh said. “I didn’t want to make it a big deal,” Braeburn said. “I… I didn’t want y’all to go out of your way.” A few soft hooftfalls came from upstairs, but nopony noticed. Granny Smith settled herself down in her chair again. “So, how long are you down here for?” Applejack asked. “I figured I could be down for two weeks before I needed to come back,” Braeburn said. “I’ve got things covered on the farm; Sheriff Silverstar’s lookin’ out for it while I’m gone.” “Well, you’re just in time to help us sort barrels!” Applejack said. “We have a little extra this year and were talkin’ about needin’ an extra hoof!” “Well, I don’t mind a workin’ vacation,” Braeburn said, eyes wide and a big smile on his face. “I haven’t come down here for a while, so if workin’s what it takes to spend time with y’all, I’d be happy to help out!” “Alright,” Granny Smith muttered as a yellow head peaked out around the corner. “Might as well make yourself useful while you’re down.” It was only after the living room had been silent for a few moments when Big Macintosh coughed. “Apple Bloom,” he said. “I thought you were supposed to be in bed.” Apple Bloom poked her full body around the corner. “I’m sorry, Big Mac. I just heard y’all talking and shoutin’ out here and wanted to see what was goin’ on.” Braeburn looked at Apple Bloom and smiled. “Apple Bloom! Good to see you!” And he opened his hooves wide to accept a hug from the filly rushing at him. “How’s my favorite little cousin’ doin’?” “Still ain’t got my cutie mark yet,” Apple Bloom said. “Don’t worry, it’ll take you time. I was a late bloomer myself.” Braeburn ruffled the filly’s mane. “Hey!” Apple Bloom said with a laugh. “I heard you were stayin’ for a few weeks!” “Sure am!” Braeburn said. “I’ll be sure to catch up with y’all while I’m here.” “Apple Bloom!” Applejack said. “How long have you been up and out of bed?” “Since I heard Braeburn at the door,” Apple Bloom said. “I’m stayin’ for a while,” Braeburn said. “We’ll have plenty of time to talk tomorrow. I heard you have school in the mornin’.” “Well, I do,” the filly said. “But I heard you and wanted to see you and say ‘hi’.” Braeburn laughed. “Well, you’ve had some time to say ‘hi’. But now it’s time for you to go to sleep. I should myself, it bein’ a long journey from Appleoosa.” “Braeburn’s right,” Applejack said. “We all just need to go to sleep. I think we’ve got a spare room for ya, cousin.” “That would be wonderful. I didn’t bring much; just my hat, my vest, and a trusty acoustic guitar that pa gave me.” “You play guitar?” Apple Bloom said as Braeburn got up off the couch and headed up the stairs with Applejack, Big Macintosh, and the filly. “That’s awesome! Maybe you could teach me!” “From what I’ve heard in Granny’s letters, you sound like you’ve gotten yourself into a bunch of stuff already,” Braeburn said. “But I could show you a song or two that I know.” The four ponies headed into Apple Bloom’s bedroom. Braeburn watched as Apple Bloom got in and gently pulled the covers up before nuzzling her forehead. “We’ll have time to talk tomorrow. For now, time for bed.” “Alright,” Apple Bloom said, sounding disheartened and making a fake pout, but soon she was smiling and gently settling herself in. Within a few short seconds, she was already half asleep. “Our guest room is right down the hall. Where’s your guitar?” “Oh, I might have left it on the porch,” Braeburn said. “Lemme go get it.” “I can do it,” Applejack said. “Big Macintosh; show Braeburn the guest bedroom.” “Eeyup,” Big Macintosh responded. Braeburn followed him down the hall, running his mouth off at him. Applejack walked downstairs. She opened the door and found the case. She opened it up to find a slightly-worn but well-kept and well-polished acoustic guitar, looking like it was made from wood cut straight from the tree and recently restrung. It was a fine piece of equipment; Applejack placed it on her back and walked inside the house. Applejack was about to head up the stairs when she heard a slight sniffling from the living room. Granny Smith was still in her chair, head drooped and eyes closed. Applejack walked over and tapped her gently on the shoulder. “Granny Smith?” she asked gently. “Are you alright?” Granny Smith opened her eyes, and Applejack saw that they were watery and shimmering. “Twelve years since I last saw his face…” she said. “Went away from us without a word.” “What happened back then, Granny?” Applejack said. “Why’d he do it?” “Oh, who knows?” Granny Smith said. “He always was a go-getter. Probably thought he’d better go and get. I can’t say I’m not proud of him, startin’ up and managin’ two farms like he does. And Dodge Junction’s always been profitable from the yearly reports.” “Then why were ya mad at him?” “He hardly sent word of how he was doin’. With few exceptions, it’s like he dropped off the map. I’m glad to see he’s okay, but I was afraid of him after a while. And, with his parents gone, we’re the closest livin’ relatives he’s got.” Applejack sighed. Granny Smith grabbed a nearby tissue and blew her nose. “Then again, it’s also unlike him just to come on down for social visits. I’m just thinkin’ the next time he comes down, I might not be around anymore.” “Don’t say that, Granny. You still got a lot of years left in ya.” “Well, let’s hope these old bones think so, too.” Granny Smith got up and started walking to a nearby bedroom on the first floor. “Well, I’ve got to go to bed. You go up and make sure he’s got everythin’ he needs.” “Alright. Good night, Granny.” Applejack grabbed the guitar once more and trotted up the stairs. She went over to the guest bedroom and found Big Macintosh and Braeburn placing down a new sheet on the bed. “I guess there was a stain from the last time Goldie Delicious came over,” Braeburn said. “Macintosh had to get a new sheet.” “Probably dust,” Big Macintosh commented. “Wasn’t much, but probably needed to anyways.” “Alright. Got your guitar here,” Applejack said, handing over the case. “Sweet! I should show you some old folk tunes I learned, both from pa and the folks in Dodge Junction.” “We’ll see. But first, you’ll have to help us with the harvest.” “Hey, so long as it means spendin’ time with you guys” – Braeburn reached out and grabbed both Big Macintosh and Applejack and pulled them close – “I ain’t too worried about workin’ on my vacation.” “That’s good to hear,” Applejack said. “Just make sure you’re up on time.” “Workin’ in the desert for so many years,” Braeburn said, “you begin to appreciate the value of time.” Applejack figured that would be the case – the quicker to get out of the hot sun and into the cooler shade – but the tone in Braeburn’s voice was strange. He released Applejack and her brother and looked out the window for a moment, as though looking back towards Appleoosa. But it was only there for a moment, and soon he was looking back at them with a rather cheerful smile on his face. “So, what time do y’all need me tomorrow?” Braeburn asked. “As soon as the cock crows, we’ll meet for breakfast,” Applejack said. “We got a big harvest this year; we’ll need the strength.” “Sure thing, cousin!” Braeburn said. “Good night, and good to finally get out here for once!”