Applejack leaned against her favorite tree. It was right behind the house and it was always shaded. It was as if Celestia had agreed not to let the sun shine on this one spot. And it was amazing! Everyday she found herself sweating from a hard day's work, but she knew she would be able to cool off within minutes of laying back in her spot. And that's exactly what she was doing now.

"Applejack!!"

Her eyes opened a crack. What did Apple Bloom want?

"APPLEJACK!!!"

Applejack stood up. It was obvious that her sister wasn't in trouble. And there wasn't anything important happening today that she knew of. So what could this be about? She walked to the house and entered the kitchen.

"Appleja- Oh. There you are."

Applejack smiled, stretching her hooves out. "What'd ya need Apple Bloom?"

"You got a letter!"

Apple Bloom held up a large envelope. Applejack stared at the parcel for a moment. What could it be? And who from? She had already paid the month's bills. That was all that ever came. That and...

Her eyes widened. It had to be from a family member! She grabbed the envelope and opened it.

Apple Bloom jumped in place. "What is it? What's it say?"

Applejack's eyes darted over the paper for a moment before beginning to read aloud:

Dear Applejack,

It pains me to be the bearer of bad news, but you have the right to know that your

great uncle, Boiken Apple, has passed on. Per his request, he wished for you to

be present for the reading of his last will and testament. The reading will take place

at Boiken's estate at 1776 Goldreign Street, Manehatten, on the tenth of August.

Applejack removed her hat. "Ah Uncle Boiken."

"Who's Uncle Boiken?"

Applejack looked down at her young sister. "He's Granddaddy's older brother."

"But we never knew Granddaddy."

"I know Sugarcube, but Uncle Boiken helped us through some hard times. And he was always a kind soul. He's the one that gave me this hat!"

She held her hat up. "This belonged to Granddaddy's granddaddy. It's been in the Apple family since the beginnin'. And I've worn it proudly for all mah life.

"Wow!"

"But now Boiken's gone..."

"Is there more in the letter?"

Applejack held up the paper again and continued:

Per his request, he wished for you to be present for the reading of his last

will and testament. The reading will take place at Boiken's estate at 1776

Goldreign Street, Manehattan, on the tenth of August. I am deeply sorry for

your lose and hope you will attend.

Sincerely,

Quid Proquo

Attorney

Applejack set the letter down. Uncle Boiken wanted her to hear his will? She knew he had liked her, but he hadn't spoken to her since she was Apple Bloom's age. Then again his health had already been getting bad by that point. Maybe he just couldn't make the trip. And now here was a letter saying he wanted her to be there for his last words. How could she say no?

"What's all the yellin' about?"

Granny Smith hobbled into the room. "Apple Bloom? Why are you yellin'?"

Apple Bloom looked down at her hooves. "Sorry Granny. I was callin' for Applejack. She got a letter."

"Oh. Well I'm goin' back to mah nap then."

Applejack raced over to the elderly pony. "Granny, the letter that came was about Uncle Boiken."

Granny froze, her eyes opening all the way. "Boiken? Well how is the old goat?"

"Granny... He's passed on."

Her eyes drooped again. "Oh. I guess it's not a big shock. He was twelve years older than yur Granddaddy."

Applejack put a hoof around Granny's shoulder. "I've been invited to Manehattan to hear his will."

"Are ya goin' then?"

"I think I should. For Boiken."

"He always did like you AJ. I knew that the moment he placed that hat on yur head instead of his own boy."

Applejack hugged her grandmother. Granny always understood when it came to family.

"I guess I should go pack. The readin' is in four days. It'll take me two just to get to Manehattan."

"You say hi to Boiken's rascals fer me."

--------------------------------

"Can I come too AJ?"

"Apple Bloom, I told ya twice already. I'm goin' on my own!"

"But I've never seen Manehattan! And I could go see Babs!"

"I'm sorry, but this isn't a family vacation."

Applejack looked down at her suitcase. Did she need anything else?

"Brush, scarf, boots.... Oh!"

She walked over to her closet and pulled out an album. Inside there were pictures from the times Uncle Boiken had visited. Even a picture from when he gave Her the hat. That was the last time she had seen him. A tear formed in the corner of her eye, but she quickly wiped it away.

"I have to go alone. But I promise I'll take you to Manehattan one day."

Apple Bloom frowned and walked out of the room. Applejack watched her go, shaking her head when she had rounded the corner. Someday her sister would understand.

She placed the album in her suitcase and shut it. She had such fond memories of that old pony. It seemed like he had visited every month if not more.

As Applejack stood there, lost in her memories, a question popped into her mind. Who else would be there? She had never met any of Boiken's family. Surely his wife and children would be there. She'd get to meet a whole new part of the Apple family! They had never come to any reunions. Why was that?

In fact... She didn't even remember seeing an invitation to Boiken for the last reunion! And she had been in charge of that one! But if he had been sick, he wouldn't have come anyways. And yet... Wouldn't an invitation have still been set out?

Applejack stood up and walked over to Granny's room. She knocked on the door.

"Granny?"

"Whuzzz... Huh? Wha?"

Applejack opened the door slowly. "Granny?"

"Wha iszit yungin?"

"I'm sorry fer wakin' you, but I had a question."

Granny rubbed her eyes and blinked. "What kind of question?"

"Why didn't you send Boiken an invitation for the last reunion?"

Granny's face seemed to sag a little more as she sighed. "Because I knew he was sick. The last letter he wrote to me was that he was sicker than a hog in winter. He didn't think he'd live to see next year. I guess he was right..."

Applejack sat down, shocked at the revelation. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't want you worryin'. He didn't like ponies worryin' over him."

That was Granny Smith alright. Always looking out for every family member.

Applejack let her head droop. "I can't believe I'll never see him again. I mean... I know I haven't seen him in ages, but still. He was family."

Granny stood up and hugged her granddaughter. "I know youngin', but everything in Equestria has to pass on at some point. And Boiken sure took his time in doin' it!"

They both chuckled at that. It was true that Boiken had always been stubborn. Everypony knew that he would fend off death by refusing to die just because he didn't feel like it.

Applejack sighed as memories of old Boiken swam through her mind. She was happy he wanted her to be there in the end. And she hoped he was looking down from above, proud of her. And the fact she had kept the hat.

Next Chapter: Manehattan Estimated time remaining: 6 Minutes