How'd They Die, Applejack?
It was a rainy night when Apple Bloom came into Applejack's room in tears. "Sister," said Apple Bloom, "how did mom and dad die?"
"Well," responds Applejack. "Come up here and I'll tell you." Apple Bloom nods as she jumps up onto the bed beside her sister. Applejack then begins to tell her everything. "It was a rainy night not much different from this one. Mom and dad were out working late in the orchard. They then heard howling in the woods and went to investigate. They soon found out that it was a Timberwolf in pain. Mom, being the innocent she was approached it and set it free. It then immediately turned around and killed her and then it killed dad. I'm sorry you had to find out this young."
"It's okay," responds Apple Bloom. "Can you tell me the stories you remember about them, please?"
"Of course," responds Applejack with a smile. "It was Christmas several years ago when mom brought up the good news. 'Granny, Bright Mack, Big Mack,' she said, 'I'm pregnant. I'm having another foal.' As soon as she said that, Big Mack's eyes went wide. 'I'm gonna have a little brother or little sister?' he said excitedly. Mom just nodded. She then began to tear up. 'You're gonna have a sister.' He then began to squeal and jump around all excitedly. The following year, I was born and then six years after that, you were born. Both times she announced it on a major holiday. She announced your birth on Easter. I remember it well. I was so excited, so was Big Mack, we couldn't wait to have another brother or sister. A few weeks after that, they got in the incident with the wolves and died."
"Can you tell me a happier story about them?" responds Apple Bloom.
"Um, let me think, let me think," responds Applejack, "oh yes. It was a sunny day and we were out on a picnic together. While mom and dad were talking with granny, Big Mack and I were playing and bucking at the trees. As I took my first chance at that tree, I fell flat on my face and burst out laughing. Big Mack then took a swing at his tree and bucked it straight in half. He got his cutie mark for that. I remember it so well. Mom and dad were so proud of him. They never saw me get my cutie mark though. By the time I got mine, they were already dead."
"Wow, AJ," responds Apple Bloom, "that's one thing we have in common then. Mom and dad never saw either of us get our cutie marks, they only saw Big Mack get his. Wow... wow..."
"Well, it's time for bed," responds Applejack. "Do you want me to sing you mom's lullaby?" Apple Bloom nods as she gets under the covers and pulls them up to her chin, all comfy. "I will love you all the time. I will love you every day of your life. Even when I'm gone. My love for you will carry on. I will watch you from the skies. I will always be proud of you. How much you've grown! How much you've all grown! Life may be tough sometimes. Sometimes you'll need to pick yourself up and scrape yourself off. Sometimes bullies may leave a scar, but remember who you are in your heart. Remember who you are in your heart. We will always love you. Your dad and I will always love you. You are such a brave little filly. That's one thing that will never change. You're determined and stubborn but I love you all the same. Some things will never change. Remember who you are inside. Keep my words in your heart and my picture at your side. When you're down, look at the picture and remember what I used to tell you. You're brave, you're strong, you can do whatever those colts can do. You're strong-willed too. You are my little pride and joy. You're all my little prides and joys. Yes, you're all my little prides and joys. You're all my little prides and joys." "Goodnight sugar cube." Applejack then leaves the room and goes down and sits in front of the fire and thinks about her parents. She is then joined by Big Mack and Granny.
"You thinking about your Maw and Paw again, sweetie?" asks Granny with a smile.
"Yes," responds Applejack. "Now more than ever since I just told Apple Bloom how they died."
"She was gonna learn sooner or later, I'm glad she found out from you," responds Granny as she puts her hoof on Applejack's shoulder then embraces her in a hug. Applejack then bursts out in tears. She cries for hours on end. She knows she did the right thing. Now, she has to rebind all those scars and open wounds and that is going to take awhile.
"I just miss them so much," responds Applejack bursting back into tears, "I miss them so darn much."
"I do too, Applejack," says Big Mack as he comes over and embraces her in a hug. "But we have to stay strong, for Apple Bloom's sake." Applejack then nods, wipes her tears, and returns to her bedroom where Apple Bloom is still sleeping peacefully.
"Oh Apple Bloom," says Applejack as she strokes her sister's head as she sleeps. "Mom and dad will love you even now, even if they're gone." Applejack then falls asleep right at her sister's side. The two sleep peacefully through the night, dreaming of their parents.
Meanwhile, out in the orchard, Big Mack thinks about his parents as he finishes up some late night apple bucking. He remembers when he used to buck them alongside his father while his mom and baby Applejack watched from the sidelines. He remembers of how his mother would take those apples and can them every winter. A tear then falls from his eyes but he wipes it away and continues to buck. Just like his sisters, he is not over their death yet even though they died several years ago. It's still a wound that has yet to heal.
