Chapter 4
The morning chill lifted as the sun rose.
This time, there was no sleeping in. Applejack and Big Macintosh woke up early and started their chores. The apples had to be sold while a constant inventory was taken. Timing was crucial, as fresh apples didn’t keep for very long. Meanwhile, the other apples would be shipped in bulk to various buyers such as Sugarcube Corner. Mr. and Mrs. Cake promised to help in the production of Sweet Apple Acres’ apple pastry products when Granny Smith died for a paltry fraction of the profits. It was the least they could do, especially since they were now trusted with the possession of the family recipes. Many other apples, still, had to be quickly turned into sauces, cider and preserves if they were to be kept for a long time. That day, Applejack agreed to handle sales and shipping while Big Mac handled making the cider and sauces.
It was going to be a long, busy day, and Applejack was determined to get her work done. She also took the job of managing sales so she could get into town. She didn’t want to be stuck in an awkward situation with her brother again. Whenever she thought of him nowadays, she always felt a surge of anger and jealousy rush through her body. He always seemed to be doing more than her. It wasn’t fair. It made her feel insignificant and it diminished her pride. But she felt sick inside at these thoughts. She knew she was lucky to have a brother like Big Mac whom she loved and would always be there to help her. Perhaps some time away from the farm was all she needed.
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It was a good day to go into town.
The sun was shining kindly. Everypony was hustling and bustling about with their daily business with a smile on their faces. AJ stopped at Sugarcube Corner to drop off a few dozen bushels of ripe, red, juicy apples that were perfect for pies. She dropped the cart outside the bakery and gave a call. Pinkie Pie came bouncing out the door.
“Hey, Applejack!” the party pony exclaimed while she gave AJ a bear hug.
“Hey there, sugarcube!” she replied with what little breath was left in her lungs.
“Are you… y’know…okay and everything?” Pinkie asked concernedly. Applejack smiled.
“Yeah. I’m fine. I’ve got the order of apples.”
Pinkie gasped in amazement.
“Wow! We’ve really got our work cut out for us!”
The ponies strained at pushing the heavy sacks full of apples through the door and hauling them to the scullery. The storeroom downstairs, Pinkie explained, was in use for a collection of her various “projects”, she called them. Applejack shrugged the matter off and continued to haul the apples into the spare room next to the kitchen. They worked up quite a sweat, considering how many apples there were. Once they were done, Mrs. Cake ordered them to take a break over some hot cocoa. Pinkie drank hers almost instantly while Applejack stirred hers absentmindedly. Pinkie couldn’t help but notice.
“Applejack?”
“Hmm?”
“Is everything alright?”
“Umm… yeah.” She lied. Pinkie sensed as much.
“Come on, AJ.” She pressed, “You can tell me anything.”
“I don’t got no problems.” she replied, feeling slightly annoyed.
“You sure? Like… you don’t have any problems at all?
Like the fact that her grandmother is dead? Her sister is in the hospital in a coma? That she drugged her brother into a deep sleep? That she felt like she was going insane? Nope! No problems at all.
“Nope! No problems at all.” said Applejack. Pinkie felt anxious for her friend, but she trusted her. Pinkie smiled again, trying to move back into small talk.
“So, what’s Big Mac doing right now?” Applejack winced. She did not want to think of her brother right now.
“Oh uh… he’s making the cider and sauces back at the farm.” Pinkie Pie laughed nervously.
“Oh umm… that’s cool.” She said.
Gods, somepony shoot me. Applejack grumbled to herself. She sipped her cocoa that tasted quite bland, considering how sweet everything from Sugarcube Corner usually was.
“Hey Applejack…” said Pinkie again. AJ slammed her mug on the table, visibly annoyed and spilling cocoa everywhere.
“What?” she gritted through her teeth. She looked up and saw that Pinkie was visibly hurt. Her eyes became saddeningly wide as her mane fell down. Applejack regretted her callousness. She felt a pain in her stomach like a swarm of bees were buzzing around, stinging the inside of her gut to find a way out.
“I just wanted to tell you to be careful.” said Pinkie. Applejack felt confused.
“Huh?”
“I know you lost your Granny, and Applebloom isn’t doing too well, which is why you need all the help you can get.” A fiery pang shot up Applejack’s spine at the thought of having more help than she already had that she didn’t want. The image of Big Macintosh pulling cartloads upon cartloads of apples made her seethe with rage. She almost spilled her cocoa again.
“Why does everypony think that I can’t do nothin’ without Big Mac’s help?” she snapped. Pinkie was taken aback again.
“Wha-uhhh…no! I was just saying…”
“Saying what?” Applejack interrupted. She felt her cheeks turn red in her anger. Why was it that everypony always talked about Big Mac when it came to who did what on the farm? Who was it that bucked the apples? Big Mac and Applejack! Who was it that managed the farm during the winter? Big Mac and Applejack! She realized, then, that she had been living in her brother’s shadow, and it was time to step out.
“I’m gonna show y'all! I’m gonna show everypony I don’t need Big Mac! I don’t need Applebloom! I don’t need Granny Smith! I DON’T NEED ANYPONY!”
Pinkie Pie stumbled backward and stared at her poor friend. She shook her head in defeat. Apparently, AJ had gone into a total relapse of her need for independence. Only this time, it spread to her family. Pinkie retreated farther toward the back of the room as Applejack stared her down in anger. The silence was deadly. Pinkie sweated and faced the floor. Anywhere but at the indignant Applejack.
Suddenly, a loud thump was heard against the door. Pinkie dogged out from in front of the angry work horse to answer it with a relieved smile on her face and a newly poofed mane. She opened the door to find the mailpony with a pack of fliers in her mouth.
“Spurcur Tahw Annowcmin!” cried Derpy as she handed the parcel to the party pony.
“ A Special Town Announcement?Thanks!” said Pinkie. “I’ll post a few on the counter!”
She placed the posters on the counter and fetched a muffin from a fresh batch that was baking. She tossed the payment to Derpy who caught it in her mouth and flew away. Pinkie made for the kitchen again.
“Back to work!” she said hastily. “See ‘ya later Applejack!” Pinkie shut the door, leaving AJ alone at the counter. She thought about the state the farm was in and the tough road ahead. She started to tear up at the thought of Applebloom still lying in bed, unable to move or talk or even wake up. At least, for all she knew, that’s what Applejack knew of her sister’s condition. No news had come from the hospital since she was admitted. Applejack sank to the floor in tears. Her whole world was collapsing around her. Her eye caught the flier and her tears ceased.
Her eyes lit up when she saw what the flier was advertising. She grabbed one in her mouth, and ran home to tell Big Macintosh.
The leaves in the trees rustled as the winds were blowing again.