Reminiscing

Applejack waves goodbye to me as I depart the barn. We'd all already made plans with Granny, who reluctantly agreed to let me go to Burnt Oak's stand after finishin' my chores this morning. Speaking of chores, it was hard work to rush 'em all in this morning. But I'm sure it was worth it, 'cause I get to hear some stories of the ponies I miss the most.

I love Mother and Father just as much as anypony else would love their parents. Maybe even more, since I didn't really get to have the sensation of getting to know them, resulting in me longin' for my parents even more.

After the short walk to Burnt Oak's firewood stand, I arrive and I realize that currently, he ain't here. I decide that I can ask somepony else first, such as the mayor or Mrs. Cake. Turning around, I accidentally bump into Burnt Oak. He's pullin' a load of logs to his stand to sell. "Hey there," he greets me. "Are you here for more stories?"

He can read me as if I'm transparent as the windows on our barn. "Yeah!" I respond, chipper. I can't wait to hear more of these! "Oh and do you have one that's after my parents' wedding?" He thinks for a minute

"Alright, but this is one I would tell to your siblings." He warns me. I'm not sure what that's 'sposed to imply, but I take it as a bad thing. "So, the Pear Family had already moved away from Ponyville to Vanhoover. Even though it had been a while, your mother was still missing her family real bad, but at the same time, she was glad she didn't have to leave your father. With Buttercup, they continued the family business as usual, but it started to struggle. Buttercup had already had two kids after a few years, and another one was currently due." I know that means me.

"The Apples were striving to thrive. Of course, their friends helped with the work too. That includes me and Mrs. Cake. But over time, we both grew busy with our own things. So after that, the Apples had to farm on their own.

"Bright Mac decided to work another job and maybe get more pay for his family. I offered him a job with me, selling firewood and such. But your father told me 'If I work with you, you'll get less pay than usual. I know how hard a job it is.' He was so considerate to me, he didn't even want to work with me. So he worked a different job, one where he might get paid more and also not cause inconvenience to other ponies."

"Aww, that's so sweet of him!" I comment.

He smiles and nods. "Always thought of others first. Kinda like you, huh? The apple doesn't fall far from the tree," he tells with a wink.

I giggle. "So, what did he work as?"

"He was a taxi driver. It was the perfect job for him, since he was kind and strong. Always ready to help others. So he partially worked on the farm, and other times he was seen around Ponyville pulling taxis. One time, I had the day off from selling firewood, and I decided to help around Sweet Apple Acres. Boy, I hadn't seen your dad in so long, I was rather excited to be back on those grounds. He came back from taxi duty later than day, looking exhausted and in pain. I remember asking 'What's wrong?'"

I bite my lip. This don't sound so good. "Was he okay?"

"Everypony said so, but he really didn't seem all that well. He took a break from work the next day, as I couldn't imagine him working in the condition he was in. We took care of him all day, but he never got better. He stayed this terrible way for a long while, always sick and never better. Until one day, Mrs. Cake and I thought he could use a bit of cheering up. Together, we whipped up a cake and decided to deliver it to the Apples. But we weren't ready for what we were about to see."

He pauses there, tears in his eyes. This must be a sad story. I'm sure I know what's comin' next, but I wait for him to tell the story anyways.

"When we got there, he had... he had..." He chokes up on his words and I walk over to him, restin' a hoof on his shoulder. It sounds like the worst experience, to be there for your friend, only to realize that they would no longer live. He deserves some condolences after bringin' up this story again. I feel guilty now, since I was the one whn

"So," I start, "do you know why he was in the state he was in?"

He wipes the few remaining tears from his eyes and shakes his head. "He was just sick like that. Maybe he was overworked, maybe there was some reason that he wouldn't tell us of. Whatever it was, it destroyed him."

I risk slipping in this question, but I know he needs to tell me. To let it all out. "How hard was it for you?"

"He was my best friend, you have to understand. I lost him to some sickness, and I just couldn't believe it. There was no way he was gone just like that. Every single day, I denied my loss. I made sculptures in his memory, got this pretty expensive hat to remind me of him. Gosh, it was so hard for me to accept it. I kept anesthestizing the whole thing for so long. After a while, a long, long while, I came to accept it. But I'd practically lost touch with the Apples by then. Well, until now, of course."

I gape. It was a lot to take in, and even a young filly like me could understand that. "Do you know what my mother was doing at the time?"

He shakes his head. "I was much closer to your father than your mother. Again, Mrs. Cake and Buttercup were best friends. She could give you her side of the story if you really want it."

I nod. I start to walk to Sugarcube Corners as I wave to him. "Thanks for the story, even if it was a bit sad."

He shakes his head again. "No. Thank you for being here and listening." I smile and get on my way. I hope Mrs. Cake's tale ain't too sad, the way Burnt Oak's story was.