Breaking Point
Miss Cherilee sat across the small table. She wore a striking red and black dress, her mane beautifully styled in the latest fashion. The small candle in the center of the table cast a soft light upon her, subduing her coat to a dark alluring shade. Subtle and seductive shadows danced across her face. The slow elegant melody of a violin drifted through the air. Big Mac stared into those gorgeous green eyes of hers.
“We should do this more often.”
“Eeyup.”
“I had a wonderful dinner.”
“Eeyup.”
“The meal was delicious.”
“Eeyup.”
“The champagne the best I’ve had.”
“Eeyup.”
“But the best part is the pony I got to share it with.” She reached across and gently placed her hoof upon his.
“Eeyup.” Big Mac could feel a smile breaking upon his face.
Cherilee leaned across the table. Big Mac did the same. The distance closed slowly. They were only inches apart. She closed her eyes and moved in for the kiss. Big Mac followed suit. Their lips about to touch, with only a hair’s breadth separating the two –
“BIIIG MAAAC!”
Big Mac shifted uneasily. He opened his eyes and, looking out his window, noticed the sky bright in the east, though the sun still lay below the horizon. He pulled the cover over his head, trying to return to his interrupted date. Attempting to get comfortable, he rolled onto his side. He slowly drifted off back to sleep….
Cherilee sat across the small table. An inviting smile spread across her face. She leaned in, Big Mac doing the same –
Suddenly Big Mac felt himself being shaken violently, and the cover ripped off his head. He reopened his eyes to see his vision filled with the reddish-orange eyes and yellow face of his youngest sister.
“Big Mac get up! Applejack is ready with breakfast and we got a lot of work to do today!”
Though he could not see himself in a mirror, Big Mac felt sure he showed a less than happy expression on his face. “Eeyup.” Slowly he pushed the covers back and rolled off the bed. THUD! Four hooves pounded against the wooden floor. Seeing her brother up and about, Apple Bloom darted out the bedroom door. He heard her run along the hall and down the stairs. Big Mac stood there for a moment, mourning his lost dream….
Big Mac wearily trudged down the hall, then descended the stairs, each of them creaking under his weight. He could hear a clatter in the kitchen and the smell of something good cooking. Perhaps breakfast would take his mind off his interrupted date? He reached the bottom of the stairs and turned left into the kitchen. There he saw his oldest sister cooking at the stove while his youngest sister and grandmare sat at the table.
“Mornin’ Big Mac,” greeted a smiling Applejack.
“Well, it’s about time you got up,” retorted Granny Smith.
“Eeyup,” responded Big Mac, taking his place at the table. The table, much like the seat he sat upon, was crafted of the finest of applewood. Feeling thirsty, he took a swig of the amber apple juice filling his cup.
“Well, you got here just in time.” She came over to the table carrying an overflowing platter, where she began serving the each of the family members their share. “I hope you’re hungry.”
“Eeyup.”
Applejack loaded his plate. Big Mac looked down at five steamy, fluffy pancakes sitting before him. Mmm. Applejack took a seat, and all began to eat breakfast. Big Mac poured syrup on his pancakes, then took a bite. He felt the warmth in his mouth, the delicate texture dissolving against his tongue. He tasted flavors well known to him. Apple pancakes with apple syrup.
“So, ya ready to work the new apple orchard today?”
“Eeyup.”
“We’ve got to get it all the holes dug today if we’re goin’ to be ready for the rainstorm.”
“And Ah’ll help plant the apple trees!” chimed Apple Bloom.
“Eh. In ma day the weather service didn’t dictate when farmer’s planted. Pass the apple muffins dear.” Apple Bloom passed the plate to Granny Smith.
“Well, we ain’t the only show in town anymore. Rainbow Dash tells me that they work out their schedule two weeks in advance. They’ll water our fields, but we can’t expect them to do it at the drop of a hat.” Applejack noticed Apple Bloom trying to get her attention. “What do ya want Sugarcube?”
“Can I have some apple bread?”
“Sure thin’. One slice or two?”
“Two.”
Applejack cut two pieces of apple bread before passing them over to Apple Bloom. “There ya go sis.”
“Thanks Applejack. Big Mac, can you pass the apple butter?”
Big Mac passed the apple butter to Apple Bloom. He returned to his apple pancakes. Two down, three to go. He continued eating his apple pancakes, interspersed with sips of apple juice.
“Just think Apple Bloom, by the time you’re my age, those young trees will have turned into big apple trees that we can buck together.” Applejack picked up an apple danish and began smiling at the thought.
“Then we’ll have more apples than ever!” cheered Apple Bloom.
Apple Bloom’s declaration rang in Big Mac’s ears….
***
Big Mac labored under Celestia’s sun. He’d dug over thirty holes so far. The Apples had purchased this land the previous year, and spent fall and early spring clearing the trees and removing the stumps to make way for the new orchard. Now was the day to plant the trees so they could be watered by the evening rainstorm. It wasn’t really complicated work. He dug the holes, a few feet deep, then Applejack and Apple Bloom moved the new trees into the hole before filling in the remaining void with leftover dirt. Though not difficult, it was extremely tiring work. Having never been plowed, the earth was tough, requiring him to take heavy swings with the pickax or drive the shovel with his might into the dirt. But the ground was filled with rocks and stones, requiring Big Mac to haul them out by hoof.
Celestia’s sun moved to a high point in the sky. “Time for lunch,” said Applejack.
“Ah’m as hungry as a horse!” proclaimed Apple Bloom.
“Eeyup,” responded Big Mac.
The three siblings walked towards the farmhouse. Apple Bloom eagerly talked about all the trees planted that day, with Applejack noting all the trees that remained. The three entered the farmhouse, and Big Mac headed to the bathroom. Having washed up, he entered to the kitchen. Granny Smith was finishing cooking lunch. Big Mac walked over to the table and joined his sisters. Upon each of their plates sat a hot apple fritter. Applejack poured everypony a glass of apple tea. Granny Smith came over and poured each a bowl of hot soup, before joining the rest of the family at the table. All four began to eat lunch.
Big Mac ate his apple fritter, tasting the apples mixed with the dough. Feeling rather hungry, he ate his rather quickly. He moved over to the soup. He blew on a spoonful to cool it, before putting it into his mouth. Hmm…apple soup.
“So how goes the work?” asked Granny Smith.
“Well, we’re doin’ alright. Though there’s more rocks we have to dig up, so we’re a little behind schedule,” explained Applejack. She took another bite of her apple fritter.
“Will we be ready for the rainstorm?” queried Granny Smith.
“We should be. If we ain’t, we’ll only have a few apple trees not planted.”
Big Mac had finished his soup. “Take a biscuit Big Mac,” said Granny Smith as she passed a plate over to Big Mac. “Apple Bloom, pass Big Mac the apple jam.”
Apple Bloom did as she was told and gave Big Mac the apple jam. Taking a biscuit, he paused before applying a small amount of apple jam onto his biscuit. He chowed down on the biscuit and tiny amount of apple jam.
“My, my, Big Mac. You’re hungry. Good thin’ I cooked you another apple fritter.” Granny Smith got up and walked over to the stove. Big Mac was about to tell her he was fine, but his half-empty stomach dictated otherwise. She brought over another apple fritter to her grandcolt. He looked at it, trying to find someway out, but resigned himself to the inevitability and began eating.
Shortly all had finished lunch. Before anypony could say anything, Granny Smith rose from the table and stepped out of the room. When she returned, she carried a pie.
“Granny, is that what Ah think it is?” asked Applejack.
“Ya bet your horseshoes it is.”
Apple Bloom could barely contain herself. “I haven’t had any of your super-doper extra apples apple pie in a long time!”
“Well, y’all ’ave been workin’ so hard, Ah thought y’all deserved it. Now Ah made it with twelve types of apples: red delicious, jazz, granny smith, ambrosia, pink lady– MacIntosh?” Big Mac was getting up from the table. “Where ya think ya going?”
“Ah’m goin’ to get back to diggin’ holes.”
“Without any of Granny’s super-doper extra apples apple pie?” cried a surprised Apple Bloom.
“Eeyup. Want to make sure we can get all those trees planted.”
“But –.” Before Applejack could say anything else, Big Mac was already out the door.
***
Wunt! The pickaxe sunk deep into the ground. Big Mac pulled on it, lodging the spike under a large rock. He yanked with all his force, freeing the rock from where it had lain since before recorded time. Reaching down, he lifted the heavy rock out of the hole. Big Mac paused to rest for a moment. The day was hot and Big Mac was sweaty from all his hard work.
He heard hoofsteps coming up towards him. He turned to see Apple Bloom standing behind him. “Goin’ alright Big Mac?”
“Eeyup.”
“Applejack and Ah have been having a snack. Would ya like some?”
“Eeyup.”
She lifted a basket and looked inside. “Would you like a fuji or a braeburn?”
***
In the west Celestia’s sun sunk behind the horizon. Overhead the weather pegasi were placing the final clouds for the rainstorm. Shortly they would bounce up and down on them like trampolines, releasing the rain to water the newly planted trees. Meanwhile three Apple siblings, tired, dirty, and sweaty, walked home. They reached the farmhouse and walked inside to the sounds of Granny Smith working the kitchen.
The three headed to the bathroom to get cleaned up. Big Mac let his sisters go first, then went in himself. After a few minutes he arrived in the kitchen, hungry and ready for dinner. He found them already eating. He sat down and looked at his plate. “Eh, is this –?”
“Apple hash,” responded Granny Smith.
Big Mac started eating. Apple hash. He wondered what else he would be having for dinner. Thirsty, he took a swig from his cup...apple cider. A bowl filled with a liquid sat in front of him. He took a spoonful, noting that it was not warm...apple bisque. He looked despairingly at his dinner.
“What’s a matter Big Mac? Would you like some salad?” asked Apple Bloom.
“Eeyup.”
Applejack passed a large bowl and Big Mac helped himself to the salad. He took a bite. Apple and carrot salad. He grew more despondent.
“Not in the mood for salad? We have rolls.” Granny Smith passed a basket of rolls to Big Mac.
Big Mac took a roll and bit down. He chewed his apple and cheddar roll. A look of disgust spread across his face.
“Ya doin’ alright Big Mac?” asked Applejack. “Why don’t ya have some apple coleslaw.”
“Enough!” bellowed Big Mac.
“What’s wrong?” asked Apple Bloom.
“Somethin’ a matter?” queried Applejack.
“What’s that ya say?” raised Granny Smith.
“Ah’ve ’ad it!”
“Had it with what?” asked Applejack.
“With this. What we eat!”
“What d’ya mean?” asked Granny Smith.
“Everythin’ we eat is the same!”
“No it’s not,” said Applejack. “We have lots of different thins.”
“NO. WE. DON’T.”
“We ’ad pancakes –”
“Apple pancakes.”
“We ’ad apple pancakes fer breakfast.”
Apple Bloom spoke up. “And we ’ad fritters –”
“Apple fritters.”
“Apple fritters fer lunch.”
Now it was Granny Smith’s turn. “And ya have hash –”
“Apple hash.”
“Fer dinner.”
“Eeyup. We have lots of different thins, but they’re all the same. And Ah’m sick of it. Apple pancakes. Apple muffins. Apple danishes. Apple bread. Apple butter. Apple juice. Apple fritters. Apple soup. Apple hash. Apple salad. Apple coleslaw. Apple bisque. Apple pie. Apple tarts. Apple cider. When we have company, you serve apple tea. Most add a slice of lemon, but what do you do?”
“We put on a slice of apple!” said Apple Bloom, trying to be helpful.
“And don’t get me started on pizza!”
“What do you mean?” asked Applejack.
“Folks put tomato sauce on their pizza. Who’s ever heard of putting apple sauce on a pizza?”
“Big Mac –,” said Granny Smith.
Apple Bloom jumped in. “Yeah. ♫ We’re Apples forever, ♫ Apples together….” Her song died in her throat as she saw the look she was getting from her older brother. It put Fluttershy’s “stare” to shame.
“Big Mac, calm down,” said a worried Applejack. “Why don’t I get you a bottle of apple ale –.” Big Mac let out a loud frustrated snort. “Or I can open ya a bottle of apple brandy –”
Big Mac got up and stormed out of the kitchen, leaving three confused mares wondering what was wrong with him.
***
Big Mac hadn’t returned by the time the family hit the hay. Applejack waited up for him a while until she finally went to bed late in the evening. But Applejack tossed and turned all night, worried for her brother. Finally, the rays of the morning sun coming through her window roused her from her slumber. She got up and stepped into the hallway. She smelled something coming from downstairs.
“What’s goin’ on sis?” Apple Bloom rubbed her bleary eyes.
“Ah don’t know Sugarcube.”
“Applejack, Ah thought ya be makin’ breakfast,” said Granny Smith.
“Well, Ah didn’t sleep well. Ah must have slep’ in.”
“Well, who’s makin’ breakfast?” asked Apple Bloom.
“Let’s go find out.” Applejack led the way downstairs. Walking into the kitchen, the three mares saw Big Mac behind the stove.
“Mornin’ everypony,” said Big Mac cheerily, the slightest hint of a smile on his face.
Apprehensively, the three mares took their places at the kitchen table. Several plates of food sat on the table. Apple Bloom looked suspiciously at the purple liquid filling her glass. She sloshed it about for a few seconds. “What’s this?” she asked.
“Grape juice,” said Big Mac.
“Grape...juice? But we always have apple juice!”
Big Mac looked to his youngest sister. “Not today.”
Applejack turned to her brother. “And are these –?”
“Eeyup. Grapefruit. Enjoy.”
“What kind of muffins are these?” asked Granny Smith.
“Blueberry.”
“Blueberry?” She looked at the muffins more closely, seeing the tiny blue splotches poking out. “We’ve never had blueberry muffins in this house before.”
“Nnope. First time fer everythin’.”
“Big Mac, what kinds of bread are these?” Apple Bloom pointed to the two loaves of bread sitting on a cutting board.
“The one on the left is lemon poppy seed –”
“Eh, poppy seeds will get under my dentures,” complained Granny Smith.
“That’s why Ah also got banana nut bread.”
“What’s in this bowl Big Mac?” Granny Smith gave it a suspicious gaze.
“Mixed fruit.”
“Oh, like different kinds of apples?” asked an eager Apple Bloom.
“Nnope. Peaches, pears, kiwis, pineapple, honeydew, cantaloupe. Even a few cherries added in.”
“And apples?” asked a hopeful Apple Bloom.
“Nnope.”
Apple Bloom pouted.
“Big Mac, we all really appreciate this but – what’s this?” Applejack looked down at the fresh pancakes Big Mac placed on each of the plates.
“Strawberry pancakes.”
“Strawberry pancakes?”
“Eeyup.”
“Well, it’s not that we don’t appreciate your work but –”
“Now don’t ya worry. Ah realized Ah haven’t been doin’ my fair share helpin’ out. So from now Ah’ll be doin’ all the cookin’ around here!”
The three mares sat in utter shock at his proclamation. Meanwhile, Big Mac sat down to eat. He hadn’t enjoyed a meal this much in quite a long time….
Author's Note
***Featured under Popular Stories***
Merry Christmas!!!
I hope you enjoyed today's story. Thanks again to LoneUnicornWriter for proofreading my work!
I actually wrote it back at the end of June, but due to work and everything else, I'm only now publishing it. I had thought of publishing it back at the end of November, but decided to publish it today as a Christmas present to myself.
This story is part of a trio of stories I'm publishing at the end of the year. Yesterday I released Merry Christmas!!!. On Friday I will release a third story.
Y'all have a merry Christmas, happy Boxing Day, and I'll see you on Friday!
Dreadnought
