"I'm just like him," Applejack sobbed. "I'm just like him." She was hunched over, covering her face with both hands. Another wave of anger hit her, and her breathing became more forced, her head hot and red.

"You don't look too good," said a deep voice.

Big Mac? Applejack lifted her head and turned around, squatting. Her brother was just standing there, staring down at her. Self-conscious, she wiped her eyes and huffed, "I see my secret place ain't so secret no more."

Big Mac plopped down in front of her. "Wanna talk about it?"

He was a great listener, but Applejack didn't wanna talk about it. She'd rather be left alone. She crossed her arms and sat down, glaring at a sprout in the dirt. He couldn't make her talk.

"I didn't forget her birthday, either." He plucked the sprout from the ground and twirled it between his meaty fingertips, watching the leaves spin.

Applejack stared at him, surprised. "You… you remembered Mom's birthday?"

He didn't respond.

"Why, I thought no one remembered anymore."

He paused, then said, "I heard what you said to Apple Bloom."

"Oh." She flushed. "It pro'bly sounded pretty bad, huh?"

"Eeyup."

Applejack frowned in indignance. "But if she'd just listened to me, none o' that would've even happened! She should respect her older sister!"

"And her older sister, I reckon, should respect her."

Applejack scoffed, offended. "You're sayin' she wasn't at fault?"

"I'm sayin' she wasn't the only one at fault." He set the sprout down and looked her in the eyes. "Look, Applejack, sometimes the older sibling needs to set a good example."

"Ya mean… I should go apologize and own up for what I done, even if she doesn't do the same?"

"Eeyup."

Applejack sighed. "I reckon you're right."

-o-

"Apple Bloom?" Applejack called, knocking on the door to her clubhouse. "Ya in there?" She knocked again. "I just wanna apologize…" She lowered her voice to speaking volume. "…for how I treated ya."

"Go away!" a teary voice cried. "I don't need your apology!"

Applejack huffed. "Ya know what? I'm not gonna—" She stopped herself and took a breath, swallowing her pride. "I mean… it was wrong of me to say those things earlier… especially what I said about Mom." She bit her lip, trying to hold back tears. "Do ya think ya could forgive me?"

Silence.

Applejack took a deep breath. "I remember the day you were born. We were all so excited to see ya for the first time. And when…" She slowed down. "When Mom started dyin', everything was like chaos. But your face was so peaceful… and I don't figure I coulda gotten through that day without ya. Every day…" She started to get choked up. "…that I see ya, I'm reminded of then. It's mighty painful, but ya always get me through. I don't know what I'd do without ya."

Silence again.

Applejack sighed. Not knowing what else she could say, she turned to go.

The door opened behind her. "Applejack?"

She looked over one shoulder. There was Apple Bloom, standing in her mismatched socks, tears in her eyes. Applejack faced her. "Yeah?"

"Do ya really think… I killed Mom?"

Applejack's heart brought her close to her sister. "Oh, no. No, no, no." She wrapped her arms around Apple Bloom and let her tears wet her hair. "Don't ever think that. I never meant that. I was just so angry…."

"Angry at me?"

"No! Angry at… myself," she realized.

Apple Bloom seemed confused.

"Excuse me! Ms. Applejack?" a male voice called urgently from behind, catching their attention. "The Cakes sent me. Pinkie Pie's in the hospital!"