A Fizzling Hope

Chapter 4: Applebuck Season

CRACK!!

Thunka-thunka-thunka-thud!!

Fizzle wiped the sweat off his brow as yet another apple tree relinquished its sweet fruit, courtesy of a solid buck to the trunk. He stepped back to admire his work. Not bad, not bad. Most of the apples had fallen into the three large buckets he had strategically placed around the tree trunk. Fizzle reached down and scooped up the few apples that missed their marks, or simply weren’t hanging over a bucket, and deposited them on top of the others. He was getting quite good at this whole apple-bucking thing really.

Today was his first day working at Acres o’ Apples, and Fizzle was determined to do a good job. He still felt really bad about stealing apples from Farmer Greene and Lilly, they were such a sweet old couple, and running a farm isn’t exactly the best method of making a living. ‘But it will all be ok!! I’ll work really hard and make it up to the two of them, and then some!’ Fizzle thought enthusiastically to himself.

All Fizzle had to do today was buck his way through a single row of apple trees. It couldn’t be that hard right? It was nice that Farmer Greene was going easy on him, it was his first day after all and he had spent a couple of hours lugging his wagon full of stuff through the forest earlier. Looking towards the farmhouse in the distance, he could see it still sitting there in the field, waiting to be unpacked. That would have to wait a little bit longer.

Fizzle couldn’t really say that he was sad to leave his little dwelling in the forest; it had been kinda lonely and miserable. Sure he was proud of his handiwork, but the wagon still meant more to him than that ragtag shack he had thrown together. It reminded him too much of loneliness, despair, ravaging hunger, and being sick of apples. Not to mention stealing.

So, Fizzle happily put it behind him, carrying away his gems, crystals, powders, rocks, baskets, tools, sacks, and barrel of cider in his wagon. Well, it’s just an empty barrel now, for he had drank the last drop of the cider a few days ago. Oh, what a sad day that had been… Still, it might be useful to store some stuff. It’s very well made after all, at least by his standards.

Fizzle stepped up to the next tree, arranging the buckets around the trunk like Farmer Greene instructed him to. With another solid CRACK! the apples came tumbling down, most of them landing neatly in the three buckets. Fizzle smiled smugly as he scooped up the four apples that decided not to cooperate. Man, this was a piece of cake! Bucking down a whole row? No problem!! After all, there’s only…so many…trees left…

Fizzle’s smile faded as he gazed at the unbucked trees in his row. He counted at least twenty trees still laden with fruit. He looked behind him to see how many trees he had already done. Four trees.

This was gonna be a long day…

*****

The midday sun shone brightly, beating everything it could see mercilessly with wave after wave of heat. Fizzle stopped, panting, next to the tree he was about to buck. This was sheer agony!! He was about half way down the row by now but was getting exhausted! The sun was hot, the work was hard, and he felt awful. Thirsty, sweaty, tired, aching, and a throbbing headache were all suitable words for describing how he currently felt. At long last, salvation arrived in the form of Farmer Greene trotting over to check on his progress.

“Land’s sake, Fizzle! Ah’m a might surprised with yer work, y’all are a real natural apple-bucker! Them buckets look jest as rarin’ ta go as mine did over yonder. How ya holdin’ up in this here heat, son?” Fizzle looked up tiredly at the farmer and grinned feebly before giving his tree an almighty CRACK!!

Thunka-thunka-thud!!

“I’m…*pant*…doing just fine, sir…just gotta…*pant*… finish this row…then I’ll be ready for a nice long…*pant*… rest…”

Farmer Greene simply chuckled knowingly. It was great that Fizzle was so eager to help out, but the farmer could see the signs of heat exhaustion written on Fizzle’s face clear as crystal. “Come now, m’boy, y’all are plum tuckered, don’ try an’ deny it. Y’all have made good progress an’ ah know you’ll be able ta finish long afore sundown, but right now it’s time fer brunch. Ah reckon Lilly’s got somethin’ real nice waitin’ fer us right ‘bout…” Farmer Green paused mid-sentence, as if waiting for something. Without warning, he suddenly finished with “now.”

Sure enough, Lilly’s disembodied voice drifted across the fields, surprising Fizzle yet again with how loudly the older mare could shout. “BRUNCH IS ON YA SILLY STALLIONS! NOW GIT ON OVER HERE AFORE YA KEEL OVER IN THE SUN!!” Farmer Greene gave Fizzle a look that clearly said ‘ya don’ wanna argue with Lilly ‘bout mealtime’ and headed off towards the farmhouse. Fizzle gratefully took the hint and followed.

Lunch was delicious, if not a little short, and soon enough Fizzle found himself back in the heat bucking away at apple trees. Most of the mealtime discussion was between Lilly and Farmer Greene, who talked about the various ins and outs and doings of the farm and how harvest season was progressing, along with a few figures and estimates of profit margins and other such things. Most of it went right in one ear and out the other for Fizzle. He was just so grateful for food, water, and a break from the sun that he was content to sit there and listen.

Of course, Lilly had asked him how he was doing, and although Fizzle felt a little faint and perhaps a tad nauseous, he was determined to stomach his pain and finish his task. He had a feeling the farmers knew he hadn’t told the whole truth, but he was going to pay off his debt, and it was going to start today! Nothing a good night’s sleep can’t fix, right? And so, with about ten trees left, Fizzle continued steadily working down the row…

*****

Fizzle thought he was going to pass out. Any second now was going to be his last conscious one before the ground would be his new best friend. Somehow, the sun had managed to become even hotter as the afternoon dragged on, if that was even possible. The heat was now so oppressive Fizzle felt like he was living a dream. Everything seemed distant and wavy and blurred, and he felt sluggish and sick. Stumbling slightly, Fizzle trotted up to the last tree in the row. He looked up at it and grinned, at long last his task was almost complete!

Arranging the baskets around the tree haphazardly, Fizzle turned, muscles screaming, and gave the tree his last buck of the day. CRACK! Fizzle flinched as several apples hit the ground, his bucket positioning not quite representative of his best work. He bent down to pick up the dropped apples, his face flushing and sweat literally pouring off his brow as the heat melted him where he stood.

As if on cue, Farmer Greene showed up to check on Fizzle’s progress again. “Well ah’ll be, Fizzle, looks like y’all finished yer row! Them buckets look good ta go, plenty o’ apples ready fer storage. All ya gotta do now is drag ‘em on over to the farmhouse an’ stick ‘em in the cellar, then y’all will be done fer today…eh, y’all feelin’ fine ‘n dandy, young ‘un?”

Farmer Greene looked at Fizzle with concerned eyes as the world began to spin, and Fizzle began to sway slightly on his hooves. As if realizing its one big task for the day was complete, Fizzle’s body was now shutting down against his will. Grinning goofily, Fizzle managed to respond with a happy “nope!” as the world went black. The last thing Fizzle heard was Farmer Greene calling his name before he keeled over.

*****

The first thing Fizzle was aware of was the softness of the bed. It felt so good, he just wanted to lie there and fall asleep. He was suddenly jerked back into reality by the sensation of a cool, wet rag being laid across his forehead. Fizzle let out a contented sigh as the coolness of the rag helped combat the raging heat he felt under his skin.

“There, there dearie. Jest stay still an’ git some rest, y’all will be good as new soon enough…” Lilly’s sweet voice cut through the silence. Fizzle groaned and forced his eyes open, trying to figure out where he was. It took a moment to focus but soon enough he could see Lilly’s caring face looking down at him. When she saw he was awake she squeezed his hoof gently. “How ya feelin’, dear?”

“Hot…” Fizzle mumbled. And it was true, his body felt like it was burning up inside. The internal fires were raging so fiercely it was a miracle his body hadn’t already turned to ash. The cool rag certainly was a nice change of pace. Speaking of water… “Can I…have some water please?” Fizzle asked feebly. Lilly immediately complied, handing him a tall glass of ice cold water.

As badly as Fizzle wanted to just chug the entire glass down, Lilly would have none of it. “Uh, uh, uh. Y’all gotta take li’l sips ta make it go down nice ‘n easy. We don’ want ya ta throw up again now would we?” Throw up? Fizzle certainly didn’t remember any throwing up. He made a mental note to ask Lilly about it later; right now he was too busy sipping that sweet, cool liquid, relishing in the feeling it made sliding down his throat, helping to quell the fires within.

Soon enough, the glass was empty. “Thank you Lilly…thanks for everything,” Fizzle mumbled, closing his eyes. He really was quite tired after today.

“Y’all be more than welcome, dearie. Yer temperature has finally stabilized, so ah’m gonna leave y’all ta sleep fer a spell while ah go put supper on. It’ll be a tad late but ah don’ think Greenie will mind, e’s still puttin’ apples away,” Lilly said, making her way to the door. That last statement caused something to click in Fizzle’s mind, and he suddenly bolted upright, the rag falling from his face.

“Oh no! My chores!! I didn’t finish!” Fizzle exclaimed, throwing the sheets off of him and starting to get out of bed. As if by magic, Lilly flew from the door to the bedside, fervently pushing Fizzle back into bed.

“Oh no ya don’t, ya li’l whippersnapper!! Y’all ain’t fit fer work at all right now! As long as ah’m mistress o’ this here household y’all ain’t budgin’ til ah say so! And right now, ah say y’all gotta stay in that bed and git better!!” Lilly said fiercely, rather forcefully tucking Fizzle back into bed.

“But…” Fizzle started to protest. The fiery-tempered mare would have none of it.

“No ‘if’s, ‘and’s, or ‘but’s ‘bout it, y’all are stayin’ right there! Land’s sake, yer almost as bad as Greenie pie when it comes ter chores! But no means no, and ah ain’t changin’ my mind fer nopony! Now y’all git some rest, an’ ah’ll be back in an hour or so with yer supper, an’ that is that!!” Lilly monologued as she continued to bustle about him.

Oh no, condemned to dinner and bedrest! Whatever shall be done? Best to accept defeat gracefully. “Well ok then, if you say so…” Fizzle said quietly, closing his eyes again.

“Ah do say so,” Lilly said as she replaced the rag on his forehead. “Now ah’m gonna go git supper started, an’ if ah see a single green hair outta place ah’ll tan yore hide clean off!”

“Yes, ma’am.” Fizzle answered meekly. “Thanks again, for everything.”

“Yore most certainly welcome, dearie,” Lilly said as she walked out the door, once again her sweet, mild-mannered self. Fizzle let out a sigh of relief and slowly let exhaustion take over…

*****

Fizzle was roused from his fretful sleep by the aroma of delicious food wafting slowly up the stairs and into his room. Fizzle licked his lips eagerly, taking deep breaths through his nose to try and discern what was for dinner. Was that…apple pie?? As if on cue, Fizzle heard two sets of hoofsteps coming up the stairs, clearly with the intent of delivering the promised food.

Fizzle opened his eyes and sat up in bed as the door opened and Lilly entered, carrying a tray of food. Sure enough, there was a nice steaming piece of apple pie on his plate, along with a salad of spring greens with sliced carrots and radishes and some mashed potatoes. Fizzle began to salivate at the scent of food.

“Oh good, yer already awake,” Lilly trilled, walking over to the bed and placing the tray in front of him. “Here ya are, as promised dearie. Eat up!” Lilly looked on happily as Fizzle eagerly dug into his food, moaning in happiness as he tasted the delicious pie.

“Wow, Lilly, I didn’t think it was possible to make apples taste this good!” Fizzle enthused between bites. Lilly blushed at the compliment but looked pleased with herself. Farmer Greene entered the room as Fizzle heartily dug into his food and took a seat in one of the chairs, chuckling quietly to himself as he puffed on his pipe.

“Land’s sake, young ‘un! Ah take it this means y’all are feeling peachier than afore?”

Fizzle paused between bites, chewed, and swallowed so he could answer the question. “Y’know, now that you mention it I think I do feel a bit better, must have been Lilly’s ministrations,” he said smiling at her yet again.

Lilly beamed right back. “Don’cha think nothin’ of it dear.”

Fizzle took another bite of apple pie and moaned happily as he chewed before continuing. “But all the same, sorry I couldn’t finish my chores sir. I really want to repay my debt and I feel awful that I can’t even do that…” he trailed off, looking down at the floor sadly.

“Now don’ y’all be talkin’ like that, ya certainly earned yer five bits today,” Farmer Greene chastised. “In mah, er, advanced age the thing ‘bout Applebuck season that gits harder ‘n harder is the actual buckin’. An’ y’all bucked yer way through a whole row today. Ah cain’t tell ya enough how helpful that is. Carryin’ all them apples inta the cellar is the easy part,” the farmer finished with a smirk. Fizzle looked a little bit happier as he continued to eat.

“However, ah feel that ah should be the one apologizin’ to ya Fizzle. Ah shoulda known that y’all ain’t from ‘round these parts an’ ah shoulda kept a better eye on ya fer yer first day. That there case of heat stroke y’all’s come down with coulda been easily avoided with a few more water breaks, an’ maybe a good hat. When ya finally git back on yer hooves, make sure ya pace yerself with yer work, t’aint nothin’ wrong with takin’ a few breaks ta keep ya goin’ strong til sundown.”

Fizzle swallowed his last bite of food and considered Farmer Greene’s words. “Ok, that makes sense. I definitely could’ve used a few more breaks today…I’ll do better tomorrow, I promise. And don’t worry about me sir, it’s not your fault I got sick. I forgive you.”

Farmer Greene’s eyebrows rose at Fizzle’s words. “Well, tha’s mighty big of ya son, and ah ‘preciate it. But ah wouldn’t go ‘n git yer hopes up ‘bout workin’ tomorrow, y’all still need ta recover from a rather nasty bout of heat stroke an’ that usually takes a day or two ta clear up.”

Fizzle looked confused and bit downtrodden as he mulled that thought over. “Oh… yeah I guess that makes sense…but what if I’m feeling really good tomorrow??” he asked hopefully, a large smile on his face.

Farmer Greene stroked his chin idly with a hoof as he pondered the question, and spared a quick glance at Lilly for assistance. The stern glare he received in return left little room for debate. “Well, son, ah s’pose tha’s possible, but the only way yer gonna be outside workin’ tomorrow is if Lilly declares ya ta be fit as a fiddle in the morn, an’ ah wouldn’t be too hopeful ‘bout that bein’ the case.” Lilly looked pleased with this assessment and nodded her head in assent.

“Tha’s right dearie, ain’t gonna be no sick ponies workin’ on MAH farm as long as ah’m in charge,” she said proudly, as Farmer Greene rolled his eyes and smirked behind her. Fizzle stifled a laugh at his antics. The two of them exchanged a knowing glance before the grizzled farmer stood up stiffly and began to make his way to the door.

“Well, it’s gettin’ a might late an’ ah fer one am plum tuckered from a hard day’s work. Ah’ll see ya in the morn Fizzle, hope yer feelin’ better by then. G’nite all.”

Fizzle yawned and mumbled a response as Lilly scooped up his now empty tray and also made for the door. “Thanks so much for the food, it was delicious!” Fizzle said enthusiastically as he curled up under the sheets.

Lilly smiled as she stepped through the doorway. “Think nothin’ of it sugarcube, it was mah pleasure. Now y’all git some sleep an’ ah wanna see ya feelin’ better in the morn. G’nite, dearie.”

“G’night Auntie…” Fizzle said sleepily as he closed his eyes. Lilly’s smile grew even wider at that statement as she blew out the candle and gently closed the door.

*****

“Aaaah…thank ya kindly fer that breakfast sugercube. It shore hit the spot! Makes an old farmer like me remember them good ol’ days…” Farmer Greene reminisced happily, reclining in his chair with his pipe as Lilly swept up his dirty dishes, her ever-present smile warming his heart.

“Think nothin’ of it dearest. Y’all have a busy day ahead of ya, what with Fizzle bein’ under the weather an’ whatnot. Oh, the poor dear; y’all really shoulda kept a better eye on ‘im Greenie…”

Farmer Greene sighed. “Ah know ah shoulda dear, but y’all know how we’re in a tight spot right now an’ ah was really hopin’ ta get a good harvest tagether fer market day come Sunday. Ah just ‘bout worked my flank off yesterday, an’ today will prob’ly be no different…”

Lilly pulled him into a warm hug as she responded. “Well, ah’m right on track with keepin’ the house ship-shape, maybe ah’ll go out ‘n help fer an hour or two. Help share the load.”

Farmer Greene sighed again. “Oh dearest, y’all know ya don’ have ta do that. Ya know how ah hate ta see ya workin’ the fields…”

“Ah know dear, ah know,” Lilly responded knowingly, returning to the counter to finish the dishes. “But ah think you’ll be surprised at the strength ah got left in the ol’ buckeroos… and besides, it’ll be jest like ‘old times,’ as y’all jest said,” she finished with a twinkle in her eye. Farmer Greene inclined his head in recognition and decided not to continue the argument. He could really use the help after all…

The old farmer’s thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a stray yawn. He opened his eyes and glanced towards the stairs before jumping in surprise when he saw Fizzle standing there. “Well, good mornin’ dear boy, ah warn’t expectin’ ta see ya up this early. How are ya feelin’?” At the sound of his voice, Lilly turned around to see who Farmer Greene was talking to, and her eyes widened when she saw Fizzle.

Fizzle yawned broadly before replying. “I feel really good, actually. I slept really well last night, and I’m used to getting up with the sun so I guess my body wants to do things the same way today…” he trailed off as he noticed the hard glare Lilly was giving him. “Uh…” Fizzle’s thoughts raced as he tried to think of a convincing argument to prevent the elderly mare from sending him straight back to bed. He turned his pleading eyes towards Farmer Greene, who quickly took a sip of coffee in an attempt to hide his grin.

Gulping noisily, Fizzle resigned himself to his fate as Lilly strode forward to inspect him. “Still goin’ on ‘bout this foolish notion aren’cha? Really! Tryin’ ta work after bein’ laid low like that…all ya stallions are the same ah say! Why in mah day…” she trailed off in surprise as she felt Fizzle’s forehead. Giving Fizzle a suspicious look, she slowly retracted her hoof and began to circle him. Behind her, Farmer Greene raised his eyebrows and puffed in surprise at her sudden pause.

“Well ah’ll be… y’all ain’t even warm no more! Why, ah never seen a pony recover from such a serious case o’ heat stroke so quickly! Surely ya cain’t be fully recovered yet? But as far as ah kin tell, y’all seem ta be the spittin’ image o’ good health…don’ make no sense…” Lilly continued, looking increasingly shocked and concerned as she examined him carefully.

Fizzle couldn’t restrain his grin from breaking out. “Sooo since I’m all better this morning, does that mean I can go back to work?” he asked hopefully. Lilly scowled at him but Farmer Greene let out a guffaw of laughter.

“Hohoho!! Laid low by heat stroke one day, an’ wantin’ ta git back ta work the next!! Magnificent! Y’all shore are a true earth pony, Fizzle m’boy, ah’ll give ya that. Yer desire ta get back ta helpin’ out warms mah old heart, it does. Since Lilly seems ta have deemed ya fit fer duty, ah’d be more than happy ta put ya back ta work, Celestia knows ah need the help…”

Fizzle’s grin grew at Farmer Greene’s delighted outburst but Lilly’s scowl deepened. “So, whaddaya say, Auntie? Can I get back to work? Can I??”

That last statement caused Lilly’s frown to soften and she looked up at him with worried eyes, glancing briefly at her husband before answering with a sigh. “Well dear…it certainly looks as though yore back in good health…ah s’pose y’all can git back ta work, we do REALLY need the help after all…”

“Yes!!” Fizzle and Farmer Greene chorused together, exchanging an enthusiastic high hoof. Lilly’s eyes lit up with amusement at the sight of the stallions’ glee, but her mouth hardened into a determined line.

“But not afore ya git a good breakfast in ya!! An’ ah’ll be out there every hour on the hour ta give ya water ‘n check up on yer, an’ there ain’t nothin’ y’all kin say ta change that!” She said forcefully, but with a smile on her face.

Fizzle responded by wrapping his forelegs around her in a hug. “Aw, thanks so much Auntie! You’re the best, you know that?” he exclaimed happily. Lilly flushed crimson but eagerly returned the embrace smiling ear to ear.

Fizzle took a moment to revel in his happiness. Here he was, fully recovered from a disastrous previous day, enjoying time with ponies who felt like his grandparents. If it weren’t for that familiar nagging feeling lodged in the deepest recess of his mind telling him that this wasn’t quite where he belonged, he would have thought he was home.

No, even if this isn’t where he belonged, in the end it was still a home away from home.