Author's Note

As always since I edit these by myself with some strong suggestions.
Please leave feedback and errors that can be checked!

My bass gently weeps

“So welcome to Sweet Apple Acres!!” Applejack announced with a sweet smile. I looked in amazement at the fields of apple trees behind her family’s farm and house. The wind gave the trees a small bustle that sounded like a natural choir. It made a sweet sound and the wind smelled apples. The farm felt like my own home and it was comforting. I look to Applejack as she continued her speech.

“This here field has been in the apples for 15 generations! It's our bread and butter as well as our greatest treasure! We welcome you with open and warm arms… as well as you helping to fix my bass” She said shyly and looked towards me.

“Thanks for the greetings AJ but…” I trailed off as I could not but help think about the elephant in the room-ermm field.

“What?” She said sweetly with a tilted head as if confused.

“What about Mac?” I pointed to the unconscious and beaten Big Mac. He has a black eye as well as a bloody nose with her tongue out. Applejack looked at her brother and shrugged?

“Oh don’t worry about him. He will be healthy as a Red Delicious after a good nap. That’ll teach him a thing or two about embarrassing me in front of my crush”

“What was that last part” I asked thinking I was ignoring her.

“Oh nothing! Just making sure he alright while I bring him to his room. In the meantime why don’t I Introduce you to the family!” She said as she begin to lift big mac on her shoulder. Wow that is a strong woman! I hope no unlucky soul tries to force her into prom sex I thought in my head as I grabbed our things.

We began walking along the dirt road leading into the actual farm itself. The road is narrow for only one vehicle at a time, but wide enough for a construction grade cement truck. The sides have small patches of grass and bushes coming into bloom. Even the walk to the farm was colorful and carefree, I wish my house had that effect for my own small set of guests.
We made it to the barn where a young girl came rushing out of it a bucket around her arm. She had very red hair. I mean tomato red with Southern clothes just like Applejack. She stopped to see us and her eyes sparked with a colorful spark of interest.

“Applejack!! Is that your Isaac?!?!” She said with a super excited tone of voice that is usual with youth. I chuckled as I saw Applejack cough a bit and slowly began to address you. Wait did she just say I’m ‘her’ Isaac?! I thought.

“Yeah this here is Isaac. He is here to help with my bass” She said nervously while looking at Apple Bloom with uncertainty. I feel like I’m missing something here that should be obvious to any man but I’m going to shrug it off.

“Well nice to Meet you Mr. Isaac! My name is-” I cut her off before she said her name.

“Apple Bloom. I know I saw you and your friends perform at the fall formal. The performance reminded me of the classic Glam Rock groups” I said with a smile as she seems to be excited.

“Well thank you mighty kindly sir! I’m sure Applejack is lucky to have you” She said with a smile. Apple Bloom looked at Applejack and mouthed the words No don’t give him any hints Apple Bloom made a small O shaped face as she nodded.

I saw Apple Bloom nod randomly as I look between her and Applejack. They both look innocent so I went back to talking to Apple Bloom who said pointing at AJ’s bass guitar case.

“She is lucky to have you fix up her BASS FOR HER! Yeah that is what I meant. Hehehe” She giggled as scratched the back of her head. I stiffly chuckled with her and went along with it. She’s a kid so sometimes they don’t make much sense.

Applejack begins tugged Big Mac and me to the house. She looked at Apple Bloom and begins to talk to her. “Well we gotta go get Mac to his bed hehe. He hit his head pretty hard.” Applejack winked as Apple Bloom giggled.

Applejack continued “We are gonna be in the garage getting started on the repairs.”

Apple Bloom waved at us with a bright smile that can melt Blue ice.

“Alrighty then ‘good luck’ on your repairs Applejack and Isaac’” she winked with the heavily said ‘good luck’ as Applejack looked at me and blushed.

“What was all that for?” I asked Applejack who coughed up a bit.

“Oh uh… Nothing just my sister being silly hehehe. Imma go to get Mac to his bed. In the meantime, go get started on the repairs Bass Boy” She said the last part in a unusually feminine tone but from what I already gathered from her family is that they are very carefree and silly.

If only businessmen and employers were this easy going I thought thinking about a business documentary I saw for school.

Anyway I got to the Garage next the house and went inside. It was dusty yet the floor seems swept recently. I pay no attention to it as I found a workbench and gently took out the Axe. Looking over the damages again to make a checklist of things that need to be done. I checked the body again to see where majority of the damage is and crack is at the top. Its deep enough to release the wind the instrument makes. Luckily it isn’t at an awkward angle so that’s good. But with a closer examination a look of horror creeps on my face.

“The neck base is cracked and chipped…” I said with a breathless voice.

Allow me to explain: When you put the neck on the bass, there is a spot that it fits into the body. That’s how some you attach the neck to the body. However the upper hook part is badly chipped and can make the neck loose if reattached. God this is gonna be a tall order.

“Ok! think Issac Am think… Hmm maybe that can work but I don’t know if AJ would agree… Plus it will change the sound as well…” I said in a normal voice.

I begin to take measurements for the body as I think out loud. I have to get EVERYTHING down to a T. Otherwise it will ruin the instrument even more. I took careful measurements with the pencil as I traced the body with for measurements. Since that was down, I begin to look at how bad the crack was inside. So I begin to take off the neck gently and slowly to avoid any more damage. Sweat was on my brow since it was a diligent and tedious process.

I slowly slide the neck off with its screws loose and gently and I mean GENTLY put the neck on the upper part of the table. I flipped the hardware over and began to see how thick the chip is and… its deep. The chip was a strong Diagonal outward type of chip(it kinda looks like this “/”).The length of it was at least five centimeters long. I sighed deeply as I look at the task I am faced with. How am I gonna tell AJ the bad news?

“Hey how is the bass?” A familiar voice asked me with worry.

Speak of the devil I thought as I turn to face her. Applejack had worry in her eyes that is matched with a tight hand lock over her chest.

“It’s bad.. Very bad. The body part that holds the neck is badly chipped. So it will be very loose and uncomfortable to play or even try picking up for that matter AJ” I said with my head held high with a look of worry as well. I fixed basses before, but at this point the process can either be trial and error, get rid and get a new one, or super costly and time consuming.

Applejack looked to the ground, hands clenched tightly, and sniffling.

“P-please try and fixing it…. I’ll pay anything I don’t care how much or what it is please try!” She said hastily and strained. I wanted to say how impossible it will be in terms of finances but I gave her a moment of silence as I looked back at the chip.

“T-that there bass was… wa-was one mah Pa’s prized possessions. He found it abandoned on the side of the road.” Applejack said with her choking up voice as I looked at her giving my full attention.

“He brought it home one night and began to fix it. I woke up and saw him fixing it and the whole nine yards. I asked him Is that a new guitar? and he smiled as I walked up to it and plucked on of its strings. I was in love with the instrument so as soon as it was finished I would take it from the garage and pluck its strings over and over. My dad caught me sneaking it out and he smiled and said If you can play me a tune, I’ll gift it for your next birthday and that is how I got the instrument. Played it for all these years.” She said reminiscing.

“Where are your parents?” I asked with a small voice.

“They died... Car crash...” She said sadly. I nodded my head and looked at the bass. I sighed as I gave it some thought and I have an idea but it won’t be easy to do.

“Ok I have an idea but it's mostly theoretical and execution heavy. I didn’t want to do it because it might ruin the bass further.” I explained to the blonde farm girl. She is desperate to get this instrument fixed; She nodded as if giving me permission. I understand her feelings deeply. A bass is more than an instrument, far more: It is an emotional icon. A piece with history that is like losing your friend or family. You can buy a new bass, but you can never buy back old memories.

“Good news is that all I need is a wood shop station and maybe some wood. I took measurements of the neck so I can make it in about six to 10 hours during a day. Think you can handle that AJ?” I asked with sincerity. She nodded with conviction and I went to her and gave her a hug to comfort her. She sobbed and held me for tightly to her chest as she sniffled into my shoulder. After about five seconds I tried to unbind myself but she didn’t let go.

“Uh AJ mind letting me go?” I asked looking at her confused. I heard her sniff my chest, the same spot I put my Cologne on this morning.

“Oh sorry uh… you smell nice” She said in that same feminine tone I heard earlier. That tone is still strange and I can’t put my finger on it.

“I kinda need my arms so I can work on your instrument remember?” I said with a chuckle as she blushed and unhooked herself from me. She blushed a bit and began to walk out the garage door. I chuckle as I saw her and went back to the measurements.

A million thoughts were going through AJ’s mind. Man how can I tell him I like him a whole lot. And he smelled so sexy! Mmmff Applejack bit her lip as she took off her hat and began to fam her face with it.

“Oh I’ll give him a reward he will never forget or refuse when this is over..” Applejack said as she went into her house to get started on the materials I. Am needs for her family’s instrument.

As well as other necessities for the bassist.