Mom's Diner

https://archive.moe/mlp/thread/18539053/#18557105

It’s been a while since I set out from New Appleoosa to the Manehatten Ruins. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with this cartload of odds and ends, but I’m sure some weirdo at Tenpony Tower might want one for his bathroom or something. The road stretched on and on, my long walk occasionally broken by the odd tumbleweed or a wild animal trying to eat me. I grabbed my binoculars and peered ahead, scanning the horizon. The sun was hanging low in the sky, yet the distant towers of Manehatten were miles away. Sighing, I lowered my binoculars. I was hoping to make it to Manehatten before it got dark, but it looks like Goddess Celestia has other plans. I then noticed a small beaten-up structure down the road. An old diner sitting alone by the roadside. Smiling, I picked up the pace. At least I’d have a roof over my head tonight.
The diner was in pretty good condition, relatively speaking. There weren’t any signs of Raider occupation, and there was even a sign out front.
“MOM’S DINER”
Well, as long as I’m here, I should grab a bite to eat too.

“Welcome to Mom’s Diner!” a gravelly voice shouted from behind the counter as I trotted in. The place was kind of neat for a 200-year old restaurant. It even had some working lights. I sat myself down at the counter while Sweetie Belle’s mournful voice wailed from a nearby radio. Moments later, a tan unicorn ghoul mare with a short ginger mane trotted out from the back room, a warm smile on her face “So, what’ll ya have, hon?” she asked. I glanced at a worn menu board off to the side. “I’ll have some Rabbit Bits, with a bottle of Sunrise to drink.” The ghoul quickly turned to a nearby grill and got to work. I couldn’t help but stare. There was something different about this one mare. Most, if not all, of the ghouls I’ve seen were matchstick thin, but this one was downright hefty. Her gut hung down between her legs, possibly the result of working a diner for two centuries…
…Hang on. Did her belly just…move?
“Oh dear…Let me handle the customer first, sweetie…”
Did she just talk to it?!

“Here’s your order, hon. Careful, it’s still a bit hot.” She quickly floated over a little platter with some freshly-cooked rabbit bits on a stick. An ice-cold bottle of Sunrise Sarsaparilla followed after. Absentmindedly, I started on my food while I watched my hostess coo to her stomach lovingly. She caught me staring at her and raised an eyebrow at me. “Did you need something else, hon?” I was lost for words. All I could do was gingerly gesture to her jutting gut. “Oh…Sorry, I’ve been carrying this little one for a long time. She’s feisty, but we’ve learned to live with eachother.” I was taken aback by this. “Wait. You’re…pregnant?” I asked. The ghoul softly blushed, running a hoof over her belly. “Yep. About two thousand months overdue by my count.” I was both shocked and amazed. I’ve never seen a pregnant ghoul before, honestly I never thought they could even exist. “So Miss..ah…” “Just call me Mom, sweetie.” She purred. I cleared my throat, adding on to the awkward moment. “So, Mom…How are you still pregnant after all these years?” A sad look came to her eyes. “It’s kind of a long story…but since you asked…” She came around the counter and sat down next to me.

“Y’see, I used to work as a waitress here at this very diner. I met a nice stallion here one day…he always liked the daisy sandwiches we had here. One day, he asked me out and took me to a show in Manehatten.” She sighed, reflecting on the glory days before the war. “Soon enough, we were married, and then I found out I was pregnant…I couldn’t have been happier….And then the war came…” Tears came to her eyes. I rested a hoof on her rough shoulders. “Sorry…the war came...then the bombs went off…I never saw him again. I was about eight or nine months in when it hit, I think. I was able to get down into my basement, so I survived…and so did she…” She motioned to her belly with a hoof. “200 years have passed, yet I’ve never felt a single contraction in all that time…In all likelihoods, my foal will stay there forever…”

“You’re saying that you can’t give birth?” I probed. Mom shook her head morosely. “I’m afraid not. Even if I could, though, there’s no telling if my baby could survive out here. I mean, she’s been in there for years. I know she’s alive, I can still feel her kicking…” The ghoul hung her head, softly sobbing. “I don’t want to lose her…She’s one of the only things that keeps me going. Sometimes, I’d contemplate finding a cliff and ending it…then she’d kick me a couple times…” She trailed off, leaving a long poignant pause. I couldn’t help but feel pity for this mare. I scooted over closer and gently hugged her.
After I finished eating, I hoofed over some caps as payment. As Mom deposited them into an old register, a thought struck me. I went back outside to my cart. I came back with a little present for her: a little snowglobe with a dancing filly inside. “I was hoping to sell this at Tenpony…but I figured you might need it more.” The ghoul stared at me, red eyes wide. In a flash, she snatched me up into a tight hug.
Hm…Are all ghoul hugs this squishy?

She quickly let me go, blushing softly. “Thank you, stranger. You’ve been a fine guest here…” I smiled back at her. “Any time, ma’am. Now, if it’s okay with you, I’d like to stay the night here.” Mom rested a hoof on my shoulder and said “Sure thing. Plus, you’ll be able to make it in time for the Early Bird Special tomorrow.”
Mom insisted on letting me use one of her spare blankets, but I politely refused. I’d already packed my own when I started my caravan business. I brought my blanket with me to a mattress she’d provided. Tuckered out from my travels, I curled up and drifted off to sleep…
The next morning, I woke up to a delicious smell. Radhog bacon and apples…I had to hand it to her. Mom certainly knew her way around a kitchen. After breakfast, I decided to buy some more of her food for the road. As well as keeping me fed, I’m sure I could sell some of the ghoul’s cooking to some of the less snobbish residents of Tenpony Tower. Afterwards, it was time for me to saddle up and head out. “I’ll be sure to tell the other traders about you,” I told the undead mother, “They could certainly use a place to stop for a bite.” Mom grinned. “Thank you kindly, stranger. We hope to see you again someday!”
Me too, Mom. Me too.