A Week in the Life of Shattered Heart

Early Wednesday morning, I wake up. Celestia’s work is glorious as always. I climb out of bed and the smell of apples hits my nostrils.

“Howdy, sugarcube!”

“A-Applejack?”

“I invited her over,” Fluttershy smiles, “apple fritters are almost ready.”

“And apple pancakes and apple juice,” Applejack smiles, “y’all are in for a treat from Sweet Apple Acres!”

“Oh… th-thank you, Applejack,” I smile, taking my place at the table, “what a pleasant surprise.”

“A meal with friends brightens up anyone’s day, sugarcube,” the farmer says, “and Pinkie Pie sent a gift with me.” She puts a brightly colored box with a ribbon on it… and air holes?

I read the tag. “To: Shattered Heart. From: Pinkie Pie! P.S., Pumpkin Cake drew a smiley face for you! J” A smiley face is scribbled in purple crayon, almost like a small foal had drawn it.

“Well, open it,” Applejack smiles, putting a plate of apple fritters, a stack of apple pancakes, and a tall glass of apple juice on the table in front of me.

I reluctantly open the box. Inside, amidst pink, blue, and yellow tissue paper, is a small toothless alligator holding something in its mouth. I smile as the alligator crawls out and spits out a plush toy. It’s… it’s a stuffed pony doll. And it looks like… me? She got a doll that looks like… me, of all ponies? I almost tear up. The doll is light gray with two big, brown buttons for eyes and brown yarn on its head and rear. It has two fabric wings stitched into its back. And on either side… a small, red, broken heart has been stitched. “She even… she even got my cutie mark right…”

“Oh, no, she didn’t make it,” Applejack said, “She had Rarity hoof-stitch a little doll o’ you. Why she put Gummy in with the doll is beyond me. He’s not really a good travel companion for a stuffed animal.”

The alligator seems to smile for a moment before crawling out the door back to his owner. The orange mare closes the door and puts down more apple-based food for herself and Fluttershy.

“Dig in,” Applejack smiles.

As we eat, a question pops up in my head. I swallow a bite of apple pancake and clear my throat. “I saw a big red pony on the way to the boutique. Who is that?”

“That’s my big brother,” the country pony answers, “Big Macintosh. He don’t talk much, but he’s a big ol’ teddy bear when ya meet him.”

“And the green pony?”

“Granny Smith. She’s the matriarch o’ the Apple clan… but between us three, she’s a bit off her rocker.”

We all have a good laugh. Before long, dishes are in the sink as Applejack gets ready to leave.

“Thank you for the nice treat,” I smile.

“No problem,” Applejack says, “and y’all can drop by anytime.” She waves before exiting the cottage.

“Here, let me get the dishes,” I offer.

“Oh… that’s okay… I’ll take care of it.”

“Okay,” I smile, “I’ll go make the bed.” I trot upstairs to the bedroom, fluffing the pillows.

Fluttershy calls out, “Shattered?”

“Yeah?”

“When you’re done, could you please feed the animals?”

“Sure thing,” I call back, folding the top of the blanket over. I tuck my doll into bed, kiss its head, and head downstairs toward the menagerie of hungry pets. It takes a while, but all the critters are fed and happy.

Fluttershy dries her hooves on a towel nearby. “Thank you so much.”

I kiss her tenderly. “You’re welcome.”

We head out to enjoy the sunlight. It’s a beautiful day.

“A sunny day is common here in Ponyville,” Fluttershy comments, “but Cloudsdale is in charge of the weather in Equestria.”

“With the other pegasi?”

Fluttershy nods ‘yes’.

I softly hum a tune I remember. My mother sang it to me when I was a foal.

“That’s a very beautiful song,” Fluttershy smiles.

“My mother sang it to me when I was small.”

She smiles more.

“I remember it well. It’s all I have left of my family. Every time I sing that song I see a white alicorn mare with brown eyes and a pink mane… I see my mother.”

“Your mother was an alicorn?”

“Yes.”

She notices a single tear running down my cheek. “Are you alright?”

“I… just miss my family.”

“I know.”

I wipe my eyes and smile. “They’re in a better place now.”

Later, we stop at the bakery. Pinkie Pie bounces over to the counter.

“Hi there! Welcome to Sugarcube Corner! Can I get you something?”

“Just a red velvet cupcake.”

“Okey-dokey-lokie!” She bounces back into a room. It seems like only seconds before she hands me a red velvet cupcake with bright red frosting and a cherry on top.

“Looks good,” I smile and pop it into my mouth. The treat sends me to a state of bliss for a brief moment… and then I snap back to reality. “Wow…”

I leave a few bits on the table and leave with Fluttershy.

The rest of the day goes by almost too fast.