I sniffed. Wiping a hoof across my face, I got out the ingredients. I didn't bother getting the cookbook. I knew this by memory. "Applebloom, where are ya? Big Mac and I need your help rebuilding the barn." I turned toward the voice. As I turned, I bumped into the shelf I had opened. I cursed underneath my breath.
"I'm right here big sis, I'm just making something for-" I felt my throat tighten, and I could barely hold back a catch In my throat. I felt as though a dagger were slicing into my throat, causing the muscles to sieze. I tried to finish the sentence, but I couldn't without bawling like a filly.
"Oh, well i'll just go tell Big Mac that your busy."said Applejack, catching the hint that I didn't want to talk. I plastered on a fake grin. Feeling sad and angry at Applejack for reminding me of 'it' I was suddenly forced into the memory as one would force an apple to fall from a tree.
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"Now Applebloom, good pies have to come from the heart. You can't just slap apples and dough in. You have to understand what you're doing. You must mean for the pie to bring joy."Granny Smith said, casting a smile at me, one that mademe feel immense joy. It was as though a sonic rainboom had set off in my heart.
"Okay Granny Smith, I'll focus. I'm making this one for you."I exclaimed, smiling back at her, radiating warmth and joy as I reached for the apples and started to peel them by dunking them in boiling water. I watched as Granny Smith grabbed the tongs in her teeth and picking the apples out one by one. Then, she waited for them to cool down until she signaled they were cool enough to peel. As she and I peeled them in our hooves, slowly sliding the peelings off the apples. Then, carefully, we started to chop the apples into slices, Granny Smith carefully guiding me. However, even the most careful adult can't prevent every mishap.
"Ow" I exclaimed, immediatly drawing my hoof back. A dribble of red went down my hoof as the knife slipped. I grimaced, trying not to curse in frustration and pain. Granny Smith immediatly stopped, looking over, laying the knife down and dropping it from her muzzle. She gasped, her eyes windening at the cut on my hoof.
"Don't worry Applebloom, we have bandages just in case of mishaps like these. Not everyone's perfect. Why, I remember a time when I was just like you, and I kept making mistakes all the time," she said, as she laid down the bandage on my hoof, then kissed it to make it feel better. Strangely, it did after she kissed it.
"Thanks Granny Smith."I said, raising my hoof to my eyes, staring at the band-aid. Granny Smith nodded, smiling at me. Then she turned and went back to the apples. I trotted up next to her, watching as she stirred the apples into the filling, adding a extra tablespoon of sugar.
"Now Applebloom, normally our apples are as sweet as can be, but it doesn't hurt to add a extra spoonful of sugar to ensure customer satisfaction. We want the pie to be as sweet as our family. Remember, all pies are only as good as the family."Granny Smith said as she poured the filling into the already prepared pie pan. I rolled out the doughish cover, placing it on top of the pie. I watched as Granny Smith put it in the oven.
After an hour, Granny Smith pulled out the pie. "Well, ain't that just a beautiful pie, reminds me of something else that's beautiful." I blushed. I thanked Granny, and after thirty minutes, we were gobbling down that pie like noponies business. And yes, Applejack and Big Mac did get a slice.
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I jolted, turning and imediatly pouring the filling out of the pan and into the pie. I had been so enwrapped in the memory, I had breezed through the steps, barely consious of what I was doing. I had barely managed to avoid cutting myself just like all those years ago.
"Applebloom, are you ready? We got to go so we can make the arrangements and sign the paperwork." A voice rang out as I was pulling the pie out of the oven. I turned toward the sound of the voice. And not a moment too soon, the pie could cool on the way there.
"Yes Applejack, I'm ready." I responded, waving a hoof over the pie. It was still steaming. Piping hot, one might say. I grabbed the pie and trotted out the door into the blinding hot sunlight. Granny Smith wouldn't have minded, the perfect weather for apples, she would've said. I joined Big Mac and Applejack at the pathway, carrying the apple pie on my back as I did so.
"Ya'll ready Applebloom? You sure you want to come? I know Granny Smith's death affected you greatly especially out of all of us. She did help you discover your cutiemark and all." This caused me to look at my flank. On it was a cider bottle next to an apple. I nodded, unable to speak because of the swell of emotions running up my throat.
"Don't worry about me, I'm fine." I responded, shaking my head, dismissively waving a hoof. Why couldn't they just accept my numbness? She was the one who deserved to bs worried about, not me. She and Big Mac had the whole responsibility of the farm. Her thoughts were inturrupted as a carriage rolled up. I walked up to it as the door opened and cousin Braeburn walked out. He was wearing black boots and a black jacket. He marched out, and walked up to Applejack. His face was sad, his ears down.
Together we went back into the carriage, Applejack asked the driver to go to the funeral parlour, and then we set off. I watched as the apple farm grew farther and farther away.
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