Reminiscing

I thought of who I should find next, whose story I want to hear. I considered listenin' to another one of the Mayor's stories, but I realize she'll have work to catch up on, especially after the visit with her yesterday. I think to see if I can remember anypony else who knew them closely. That's when I realize the answer was in front of me all along. The ponies closest to Mom and Dad were their family, meanin' Big Macintosh, Applejack, Granny, and maybe even Grandpere Pear.

I rush back to the barn to ask everypony what they can remember about Mom and Dad's story. I confront Big Mac first, 'cause he's the oldest in my family who'll be willin' to talk about what happened. So I find him after a few minutes of searchin'. He's in the kitchen with Applejack, which is perfect, because I can ask them both at once.

"Applejack?" I speak up, gettin' her attention. "Big Mac?" They both turn to me while makin' sure to keep an eye on the food so it doesn't over-cook. It looks like we're havin' the special lunch today: flapjacks with whipped cream, and for lunch, too. I pull my eyes away from the food and look at them. "Do you know much about Mom and Dad's, uh, demise?"

They look at each other, concerned. "You wanna hear the story?" Applejack asks. I nod, hopin' it ain't too much to ask of 'em, especially since I'm sure they were really young when it happened. Applejack thinks for a moment, and then turns to Big Mac. "I got nothin' right now. You?"

Bic Mac thinks about it as Applejack turns back to the stove to flip more flapjacks. "Eeyup."

"You can tell me the story?" I smile softly. Although I know it's a hard story to tell, I want to hear as many different perspectives of it as possible.

He nods. "I was a bit older than your age when it happened. I remember seein' Dad disappear, and then Mom, too. I was devastated and, immediately, I blamed myself."

"I remember a few of them," Applejack jumps in. "You were like, 'If only I'd helped out more; Dad wouldn't have been so overworked. None of this would have happened.' All day, every day. It hurt to see my big brother in such a messy state," she says with a sigh.

Big Mac looks between the two of us. "Eeyup. I said I would keep every buttercup I found to remind me of her, because I loved my Mama that much."

"Well, who wouldn't?" I rhetorically ask before announcin' my real question. "What else did you do after both our parents passed away?"

"When your mom went through the same thin', I blamed myself even more. I kept tellin' myself that I should've helped her and dad, or at least have done somethin', anythin' to prevent the whole tragedy around me. I did it so often, I think it even gave your sister a negative influence."

Applejack laughs a little. "Well, I was probably a bit younger than you, Applebloom. I think I kinda remember what happened. He was stressin' out so much, and blamin' himself for so many things, and I think I started to, as well. Do you remember what happened, Big Macintosh?"

He gets all pensive and rubs his chin. "You started blamin' yourself for random things, like me. And then... you even said somethin' involvin' suicide that I won't dare mention in front of Applebloom." That makes me more curious, but I decide not to question it. There is a good reason Big Mac is keepin' this from me. "Anyways, you blamed yourself for a lot of things like I did, and sometimes, you blamed yourself for Mom and Dad's passin'."

"You were obviously the influence on me, right?" Applejack asks, gettin' a nod from Big Macintosh to confirm it. "So what did Granny think of it?"

"I'm not sure," Big Mac's voice booms. "I never bothered to ask, nor was I willin' to."

"Right," Applejack says as if she should have realized it sooner. "Because Granny would never be willin' to talk about it. What do you think she'd do if we asked her now? She's made up with Grand Pere and no longer thinks the past is such a big deal. Wouldn't it be fine if we asked her now that she's over that?"

I think it's a good idea, too, so I give Bic Macintosh the puppy-dog eyes that Zipporwhill and her puppy taught me. They were supposed to be pleadin' eyes, eyes that showed you really wanted something. Applejack didn't back me up, she just continued to flip flapjacks with a smug smile. "So?" I ask, impatient for an answer. "Can we ask her?"

Big Mac considers it for one final moment before finally answering. "Eeyup." I beam as I drag Big Macintosh away from the kitchen, into the livin' room where we should be able to find Granny.

"Granny!" I call out. "Do you mind if I ask you a question?"

Although her voice is faint, I'm pretty sure I can understand her just fine. "Alright, dear, just come up to the guest room and we'll talk."

I rush up the stairs, Big Mac followin' not far behind me, ready to hear what's probably the most detailed side of the whole story. "Let's hope Granny won't freeze up again."

I nod nervously. I do want to hear the story, but it'll be terrible if Granny starts stammerin' and stuff 'cause of me.