Shout At The Apple

I take my time heading back. When I head for the east orchard, Big Mac has three crates ready, but he decides not to load them. Just as I shout “soup’s on,” he finishes his tree and packs the crate. He then wipes his brow and says, “lunchtime,” which is all I need to head back to the house.

At lunch, Granny rolls out pasta salad, turkey and fixin’s for sandwiches, and butternut squash soup.

“Thank you kindly for your hospitality. It’s been a pleasure to help you, even if it is just delivery driving.”

“Please!” Granny scoffs. “Apple Bloom wanted the help, and Applejack figured you’d be available.”

“How sweet. I’m glad I came. By the way, when is your offseason?”

“Our first apples are in season as early as mid-April.” Applejack answers. “The last ones go out of season as late as early November. So, the holidays through spring break are our prime vacation time. We’re finally planning a holiday vacation once the farm goes off-season this next year.”

“Sweet! Just let me know when and where with 24 hours minimum advance notice.”

“Alright!” AB shouts. “Hawaii, here we come!”

“Less speakin’, more eatin’!” Granny shouts. “You don’t got all afternoon to finish up ‘yer work.”

With that, we all eat up and call a good meal complete in just over an hour. After I help bus dishes, I take Mac back to the orchard, with more crates than I have bed space yet again.

After I help him load those up, he joins me and says, “after this, stop by the supermarket.”

“Perfect. I need cigarettes anyway.”

“Really, Max?”

“Does it bother you?”

“Yes, it does. You’re gonna have to kick the habit.”

“These are e-cigarettes though. All water vapor.”

“Doesn’t matter. If you think it’s a safer alternative, then you’re sorely mistaken.”

“I know the risks, and I do it anyway.”

“Alright, but just know that AJ, AB, nor I will give you our blessing.”

“Good. Might actually be an excuse not to act on my feelings.”

Mac only shrugs as I give my ID to the guard for receivables. After a few minutes fussing with crates, with only one loader, we get the all clear and head for the grocery store. When we park, we head in and I grab a cart just in case.

As Big Mac looks for food, he runs into a few friends and catches up. I ask for the list as one of his conversations carries on, so I let them catch up.

In no time at all, thanks to a wonderfully organized store, I have Mac scan the basket before I cover the purchase, against his wishes.

When we return, Mac reimburses me in cash just as Applejack and her sister return from the orchards.

“Did the local run together?”

“Yup!” AJ beams.

“Lucky you.”

“And with that, I think we’re all good. You’re free to go.”

“Really? That seems awful quick.”

“I know. But now that we have the bulk of our bumper crop shipped, it’s back to business as usual.”

“Yay?”

“Uh, sure I guess. When are you leaving?”

“Either tomorrow or the day after.”

“Okay. Well, you’re welcome to stay as long as you like.”

“Thank you, I appreciate that.”

Later that night, after dinner, I offer help washing the dishes, but Granny refuses. For the night, I decide to join Applejack in watching some prime time television. It is Thursday night, so tomorrow would be the opportune time to leave. Since I’m picking up Rosalina, it would behoove me to get out of Chicago airspace before the big rush.

“Friends? You and Big Mac?”

“Eyup! Staple of our childhood.”

“Nice. Me too!”

“Ooh, [The One With The] Evil Ortho[dontist]. Not a fan of this episode.”

“Yea... I didn’t like this one much either.”

“Wanna hang out and chat upstairs?”

“Okay.” She says turning the TV off.

After I use the bathroom, I head up and pack my bag before I lay down next to AJ, staring at the ceiling.

“So Sugar Cube, what’s on your mind?”

“Well, I’m gonna be straight with you: Big Mac and I talked about us, especially because Apple Bloom loves to tease us about it.”

“And?”

“I came clean to him.”

“Okay?”

“I mean, he doesn’t think we would be good together.”

“Of course not. He’s my big brother. Not very many are on his good list.”

“I shouldn’t be surprised.” I respond just as a text comes in.

“I know I said you could take your time, but can you come soon? I have stuff with me that needs to go with stuff in California.”

“Okay. Is it too personal for me to ask what it is?” I text back.

“It’s old personal information on our parents. Lockie said it needs to go with me because he’s strapped for space in his house.”

“Sure. Well, I expect to be done here in a couple days or so. I’ll let you know.”

“Everything okay?”

“Yeah.”

“Look, if you need to leave right now, don’t let me stand in your way.”

“I’m not going to leave until I tell you how I feel, about us.”

Applejack’s face changes as mine does. Clearly we’re both nervous.

“Say what now?”

Suddenly, knowing I just outed myself, I decide to lay it all out. “Where do I start? My wife needs the paperwork done, my friends are hounding me to stop smoking, I’ve relapsed a third time, and especially hard this time around, and the elephant in the room…” I say with increasing speed and pitch.

“Stop.” She cuts me off by putting a finger on my lips. “Breathe in.”

I do as I’m told.

“Now let it out. Slowly.”

I respond with a deep sigh.

“Okay. Now, what’s on your mind?”

“Can you keep this between us?”

“You have my word.” She says removing her hat.

“Please don’t take this the wrong way, and I think you may already know, but I’ve been smitten with you ever since we met because you were so receptive to my, um… breakdowns.”

“Aw, shucks sugarcube. I was just doing what I had to do.” She says laying a gentle hand on my arm.

“Well, as a result, I think that this may be my gratefulness talking, but I think I may have… feelings for you.” I say muttering the last three words.

“Sorry, say that again, sugar cube?”

“I. Have… feelings, for you.”

“What?!” She snaps back in disbelief.

“I don’t know if they’re genuine or it’s just a crush from the holiday, but I can’t lie to you. Apple Bloom may or may not have been half-right.”

I wait for some kind of response, but nothing comes out. Feeling just as shocked as she looks, I let her take it in and file my flight plan for SMG, departure in 2 hours.

“Applejack?”

Nothing.

“AJ?” “Anyone home?” “Applejack?” “Applejack?” “Earth to Applejack?”

I sigh disappointedly and say, “I know that this is no easy news, but I cannot lie to you. Now that I’ve been completely honest, and I know how you’ve taken it, I can die happy. I’ll see you in San Francisco.”

With that, I head for the bathroom and make sure I have all my things, drop it in my bag, and make sure I have everything else. Applejack is still on her bed in disbelief, unmoved from when I got up.

“It’s been a real slice to have helped you over these past few days. I hope that we can still be friends. I really do like you, and I do not regret being honest with you. Goodbye, Applejack. Thank you for everything.” I say to her rhetorically.

After I shut her door behind her, I head for Apple Bloom’s room.

“Hey, you got a few seconds?”

“Sure, Max. What’s up?”

“I finally did it. I came clean to Applejack.”

“YOU TOLD HER YOU LIKED HER??!!!!”

“Aye, I did. Obviously, you can tell how well she took the news.” I say nodding to my bag.

“WHY WOULD YOU TELL HER THAT??!!!”

“I figured it would be easier on my conscience if I told her. She’s one of the most honest and upfront people I’ve ever met, so I thought I would return the favor. Besides, at least she knows, so there won’t be any future awkward interactions, at least on my part. Though I imagine at present this may be the last interaction we have for the near future. Nevertheless, thank you for your hospitality and see you later. I hope that whatever happens between your sister and I does not affect us.”

Apple Bloom goes paler than a bucket as I turn around and leave. Up next, Big Mac.

“Hey Big Mac, I did it. I came clean. I told Applejack.”

He nods.

“This is how she took it.” I say holding up my bag. “So, it is with a heavy heart I announce my departure. It’s been a pleasure helping you out, and I will happily help out again. I hope that whatever happens between Applejack and I doesn’t affect our relationship. See you later.”

He stands there surprised as I make my way downstairs to say goodbye to Granny.

“Hi Granny. I have to leave now.”

“Oh, why so late?”

“Well, my wife needs me to pick her up, but I have to tell you something. You know how Apple Bloom kept teasing AJ and I about being together?”

“Yea?”

“Well, I came clean and told Applejack that I have feelings for her. Figured it’d be better to be honest with her than let it destroy me from the inside, and she took the news pretty well.” I say raising my forearm with my bag. “It’s been an absolute pleasure working for you, and I will gratefully take the opportunity to do it again. I hope that what happens between Applejack and I does not affect our relationship, but I cannot control that.”

“Oh. Well, Applejack has never been the best one to receive news of romantic feelings well. Nevertheless, that doesn’t change what I think of you. Come here.” She responds opening her arms for a hug.

“Thank you for your support, Granny. I’ll see you soon.”

“Alright.”

“Thank you for everything!” I say in our embrace.

“You’re welcome, dear. Y'all come on back now, ya hear?”

When we let go, I nod, head for the front door and slip my shoes on. As I step out the door, I unlock the truck, toss my bag in the back seat, hop in and fire her up. I let her idle for a few seconds to warm up and check the status of the flight plan. Confirmed on file, I release the brakes as the taillights reveal a figure bursting out the front door in the rear view mirror. In response regardless of who it is, I stomp on the throttle and let the dust fly as my farewell to Sweet Apple Acres for now.

After I buzz the gate and give my name, I get access and wait for the gate to close. When I drive onto the plane, I power on the APU and preflight.

When I secure the car, I close the garage behind me and open L1 to air the cabin out while I get settled in the cockpit. After I calibrate the instruments and verify all is good, I test the radios and then close and arm L1 along with the other seven exit doors. Once all ready to go, I read the clearance back as filed: KFSM FSM V13 RZC J105 BDF V156 EON KSMG.

After I start the engines, I set flaps and check temps. After 5 minutes, I get taxi clearance and shut off the APU. Glad I could get my feelings for Applejack off my chest, I radio tower to get takeoff clearance.

“Fort Smith Tower, Airbus 212HA short 26, ready for departure.”

“N212HA, Fort Smith Tower, hold short runway 26, IFR release.”

“Hold short 26, 212HA.”

A few seconds later, I receive a text.

“Hey Max, I feel bad about sending you away like that. I overreacted. I’m sorry.”

“No need to apologize. You had every right to react like you did. It’s never easy to take that kind of news lightly. I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again: I don’t know if my feelings are genuine or I’m speaking out of grace, but I can’t say what I said was untrue. If you’re still open to a meal date, my offer still stands.”

Just as AJ replies, ATC keys, “Airbus N212HA, runway 26, cleared for takeoff.”

I open the text and smile.

“I’d like that very much, Sugar Cube.”

“Cleared for takeoff 26, Airbus 212HA.”