Wednesday, January 13, 2016

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Today's Horoscope (Virgo): Take time out today to help someone who's going through a rough time.

After School

Tennis practice...

Coach is in serious business mode. "Okay, everyone! I need you all working extra hard today! We're going an extra hour, because we've got qualifiers for the nationals coming up on Saturday! Let's hustle!"

Practice is brutal...

I'm exhausted when I return to the dorm.

Evening

I'm just getting started on my homework when Twilight knocks on my door. "Flash? Could you do me a favor and walk Spike? I've got a really big essay to write..."

I don't really feel like doing homework right now, so I grab my jacket and collect Spike and the pooper scooper.

As soon as I'm outside in the chilly night air, I hear somebody crying. Spike looks up at me, head cocked and ears pricked up. He gives a whimper.

We follow the sound of the crying and find Apple Bloom sitting against the base of a tree. Spike runs up to her and climbs into her lap, then starts licking her face.

"Apple Bloom?" I crouch down in front of her. "What's wrong?"

Apple Bloom sniffles. "Ah..." She scratches Spike's ears absently. "Ah jes' found out Papa's been in th' hospital since Monday..." She wipes her nose with her arm. "Applejack didn't tell me...Ah was gonna ask her for help with mah homework, an' Ah heard her talkin' t' Big Mac..."

Spike whines.

I sit down. "I'm sorry," I say. "I can't begin to imagine what you're going through...what you and Applejack are both going through."

Apple Bloom looks down. "Ah know Papa's dyin'," she says. "Ah...Ah don't wanna accept it, but that's what's gonna happen...he's goin' away, jes' like Mama did..." She sighs. "Ah jes' don't wanna be lied to or...or have mah family keepin' secrets from me. Ah jes' wanna know what's goin' on..." She sniffles again. "Ah don't want Applejack an' Big Mac babyin' me! Not about this..."

"Maybe..." I look at Apple Bloom. "Maybe that's not the case at all."

She looks up at me. "Whaddya mean?"

"Well...maybe they're not telling you because...because it's hard for them to talk about it."

Apple Bloom tilts her head. "But she was talkin' about it with Big Mac..."

"Because Ah had to, little sis," Applejack says. We both look up to see her standing nearby, wearing a light brown windbreaker and shivering. Her hat is tilted down over her eyes.

Apple Bloom looks up at her sister, frowning. "What's that supposed ta mean?"

"Big Mac had t' tell me because...because Ah've got work t' do. Fer th' farm. You know Ah'm takin' over th' business stuff from Papa, right? Well..." She sighs. "Ah got a right truckload t' do while Papa's in th' hospital." She sits down next to Apple Bloom and pulls her close. "You're jes' now gittin' t' go t' school with kids your own age, Apple Bloom. You should be havin' fun with your friends...you don't need this hangin' over you."

"But...it is hangin' over me," Apple Bloom says.

"Ah know," Applejack says with a frown. "An'...Ah wasn't tryin' t' keep stuff from you. Ah just...didn't wanna upset you. Ah didn't think..." She swallows. "Ah didn't stop t' think maybe not tellin' you would upset you more."

"Applejack," Apple Bloom says. She sobs and throws her arms around her sister, who hugs her fiercely.

I feel uncomfortable witnessing something so private...

I get up to leave.

"Flash," Applejack says suddenly. "Ah hate t' ask, but...can you help Apple Bloom with her homework when she needs it? Ah know you get pretty good grades, an' Ah don't...an' Ah'm gonna be a peck busy with th' farm business for a while."

"Sure," I say. "I don't mind."

"Thanks," Applejack says. She stands up and stretches. "Reckon you was jes' out walkin' Spike, huh?"

Spike lets out a bark and runs around my feet. "Yeah, and I'd better get back to that." I smile down at Apple Bloom. "Just let me know when you need help with your homework, alright?"

Apple Bloom nods. "Thanks," she says.

---

Applejack takes her sister back inside, and I wait for Spike to do his business, then clean up after him and go back in. After I drop Spike off in Twilight's room, I head down to the lounge to help Apple Bloom with her homework. By the time it's all done, I'm pretty worn out myself. I do as much of my own homework as I can before I'm too tired to think, then go to bed.