"You´re the man of the family now, Mac. We´ll try to come once a week to help but remember we have our own farms so you´ll have to deal with most of the work, understood?"

Big Mac didn´t answer. He kept rocking Apple Bloom back and forth, making sure the baby was asleep. Applejack was still crying upstairs, been crying all day since the service started. He was waiting for the grown-ups to stop talking before checking on her. She was his responsibility now after all.

They were right, he was the man of the family now.

*****

"And why can´t I go?!"

Big Mac was pulled from the world of painful memories into the present where more drama was unfolding. Sisters yelling at each other. At least, they were not throwing plates at each other this time.

"Because that´s no place for a young filly like you!"

"I´m not a filly anymore!"

The fights were a daily routine in the Apple farm now, ever since Apple Bloom finished elementary school and got her Cutie Mark. A martini glass with an apple slice, which Apple Bloom was convinced meant her destiny was on Las Pegasus. Of course, Applejack was not willing to let her little sister move to such a city.

"Why not? Sweetie´s parents gave her permission to study in Baltimare!"

"But there are not your parents!"

"Neither are you or Big Mac!"

That was the final straw. Had Granny Smith still be alive she would have put an end to this right there; instead, the house filled with silence. Apple Bloom turned around and ran off before Applejack could say anything.

"Did you...did you hear that?"

"She is right."

"What? How...how can you defend her, Mac? After she say such a thing? We practically raised her!"

"But we´re not Ma and Pa."

Applejack was speechless again. After a minute of silence, she left the house too, leaving Big Mac alone in the kitchen. He looked at his cup of coffee while his mind raced back again to the past.

****

"Big Mac! Big Mac!"

"Hello Cheerilee. You´re looking pretty nice."

"Yeah, I look totally gnarly," she said, trying to look impressive despite her notorious braces. "The guys at school are throwing a party, at that new place Sugarcube Corner. Wanna go?"

"I can´t. Have too much work."

"Oh come on, Mac! You´re always working and making excuses. Why can´t you be like the other kids and have some fun once in a while?"

"Because I can´t. I have to harvest all the right field, Applejack is still not over her fever and Apple Bloom´s teeths are coming out. I can´t take a day out."

"...I´m sorry, Mac. I have no idea. I just thoguht you may like to go out with me and, you know..."

"It´s okay, Cheerilee. I know. Go to the party, have fun for me," and he went back to the farm.

Cheerilee watch him pull the cart hill down and whispered

"It won´t be that fun withouht you..."

But he was too far away to hear those words.

*****

Apple Bloom closed her suitcase and put on a black cap, ready to sneak out but when she tried to leave she bumped against a hard wall.

"Big Mac! You´re not going to stop me, big brother! I´m leaving and that is final!"

"I´m not going to stop you," he said,

"...you´re not?"

"Nop," and he picked her suitcase and put it back on the bed. "I won´t tell you what to do. Dad was not around to tell me what was right and what wrong, I had to learn all on my own. Grandma did a better job taking care of AJ but, she still wasn´t mum," Big Mac sit on the bed and she sit next to him. "I´m not your father Apple Bloom, I know that. And I know there are things I could never do. But I can do one thing, I can be here for you. Whenever you need me, I´ll be here." and he put his arm around her, pulling her closer.

****

The next morning went unusually quiet. Applejack was washing the dishes when Apple Bloom approached her.

"Can I help you, big sis?"

"...sure."

Big Mac watched them work together and smiled. He knew the silence was not going to last long. Apple Bloom will leave and Applejack will cry once more. And he will be there for them, he will be always there for them.