Another night alone.
 
Not that Turquoise Edge expected any differently. It was always quiet on the isolated, barren little rock farm. It was just her and Dad now. Ma had passed on, Hawk and Opal had their own families elsewhere, and Mel and the girls…well, that had fallen through. Turquoise didn’t want to even think about it anymore. What happened, happened, and now her only job was to make sure her father was as comfortable as possible in his final days.
 
“Ducky!” She was snapped out of her thoughts. “Come here!”
 
“Coming, Dad. What do you need?”
 
Zephyr Breeze was struggling to get out of bed, his body leaning over onto a walker as his wings fluttering as fast as they could in an attempt to give him enough momentum to stand fully.
 
“You know my joints aren’t so good and springy anymore Ducky, and my wings aren’t doing diddily squat either. I’m glad my wife can’t see me like this; I used to be quite the stud y’know!”
 
His eyes slowly moved over to the photo on his nightstand, of him and his wife with their kids all in their prime. Then he turned his attention back to his daughter’s lime-colored eyes, squinting as if trying to remember something.
 
“Speaking of, where’s your girlfriend?”
 
“My girlfriend?” Turquoise looked around, trying to avoid the subject. “I…don’t have one.”
 
“Oh, don’t lie to me! There’s no need to be shy! I’ve seen her…there’s pictures!”
 
Somehow his failing mind was insistent on a photo album of sorts. He looked around the room as Turquoise helped him onto the walker and he was finally able to make his way to the hall closet.
 
“Open up the closet, there’s photo albums in a pile. She’s in there!”
 
“Dad, I…I’d rather not. Things…didn’t work out between us.” Turquoise tried to steer him away from the closet. “How about I make you something to eat? Put on a movie?”
 
“Aww, how come you two lovebirds split? I remember she was so nice…what was her name again? Melody? Even if you two didn’t work out, how come she never comes around anymore? Hell, I know my old mind doesn’t remember much, but I can remember the way she used to be able to calm you down better than me! I’d never forget that.”
 
“That was in the past, Dad,” Turquoise sucked in her breath, trying to forget…forget the heartbreak, the gaping hole inside, the regret. “It was fun while it lasted, but we just weren’t right for each other. Never mind, it doesn’t matter anymore.”
 
Zephyr looked down at the ground with a disappointed look on his face as he noticed the sad air his filly brought into the room. “That’s such a shame Duck…Ducky? Are you alright? I’m sorry for bringing it up, but I really wish you would have kept her around. I would never guess you weren’t right for each other.”
 
Turquoise cleared her throat, trying to regain her composure. She hadn’t realized she made her feelings that obvious.
 
“N-No, Dad, I-I’m fine…things just got…too complicated for us. For all of us. It wasn’t working out.”
 
“Well I’m here for you, I’ll always b…” All of a sudden, Zephyr’s limbs began to go weak and he slumped to the ground, his head leaning against the bars of his walker. His breathing was shaky and his eyes lidded and heavy as he looked up at his daughter.
 
“Dad!!” Turquoise jumped to his side. “Dad, are you okay? Lie down and I’ll call the doctor…” She led him to his bed and made for the phone.
 
By the time Turquoise had gotten her father in bed and rushed to the phone to call the Ponyville Hospital, it was too late. He had a soft smile on his face as he had just forgotten the previous conversation.
 
“I’m gonna nap for a little bit and rest my joints. I love you Turq. Make sure you tell that girlfriend of yours I said hello. Goodnight, my fuzzy little duckling…”
 
Turquoise had just hung up from a very frantic and shaky phone call when he said this; she heard every word. If anypony were watching, they’d be able to see the exact moment her heart tore in half.