I sat in the all too familiar chair and looked at my grandfather. This year, he turned eighty five years old and a few months after, I received a call that he ended up in the hospital after collapsing in his home. They placed him in his home and told the family members that he will most likely pass within the week.

I was the only one who showed up.

"Ashley…" I heard his now familiar raspy voice.

"Grandpa?" I asked as I approached him.

"Where are your parents?" He asked.

I didn't want to answer him. The entire family stopped speaking to Grandpa after he bought the farm in the town of Stardew. It broke his heart, but I kept coming every summer to spend the summers with him. Every summer, I go on the bus to the small town where my grandfather will always wait for me on his old horse Howard. We then ride down to his small but fun farm. We would then farm a few stalks of corn and coffee beans and enjoy fresh cups of coffee.

"They are getting some lunch for you. Getting you that salmon dinner you like so much."

He gave off a raspy chuckle.

"You were always a good farmer, Ashley. You are a terrible liar."

I looked down to see his hand reach towards mine. I helped him by placing my hand in his.

"You… were always my favorite Ashley. You always cared about the family when the rest of the family did not."

I couldn't help but tear up at his statement about how the family treated him. It was so depressing. I took the week off of school for this and my parents told me that I was being childish for letting this get in the way of my education. If I am being honest, grandpa was more family than the rest of my family.

"Ashley… I have something for you."

I looked up to see grandpa reach for something on his bedside table. It was an envelope. He then shifted his arm to me.

"Take it."

I took the letter and almost opened it.

"No," He said, "Open it… when you are ready."

"Okay Grandpa…"

"I-I'm tired Ashley…"

"I understand Grandpa." I said.

"Remember… when you're ready…you'll be ready for this gift." He said as he went to sleep.

I stood up and walked out of the home and saw the empty field that was in front of the farm. No crops, no harvest… just Howard and even Howard was old. I walked up and patted his mane.

"Hey boy…" I said, "Grandpa isn't doing too well."

Howard neighed.

"Yeah… I uh… I'm sorry boy…" I said as I began to tear up.

"Hello?" I heard.

I quickly wiped my eyes and walked around Howard to see a man who looked a couple of years older than me.

"Hi there, my name is Harvey O'Neil. I am Mr. Jennings' nurse. Are you family?"

"Y-Yes… I am his granddaughter."

"Ah Ashley. He spoke a lot about you. How is he?"

"He's resting."

"I see… let me just check up on him and then I will be out of your hair." He said.

Harvey walked inside of the house and I looked back at Howard.

"How about a ride, eh?"

I walked up and unhitched Howard and hopped up. We rode down to the old fishing pond where Grandpa and I would sit for hours and catch nothing. I hopped off Howard walked up to the edge and sat down, placing my feet in the water. I looked ahead and saw the sun slowly setting and felt the familiar breeze. The moment was ruined when I heard Harvey.

"Ms. Jennings?"

I stood up to face him and his face said it all…

"No…"

"I am so sorry, he has passed."

5 Years Later

I sat in my cubicle, typing away at my computer, doing my work. After college, I joined JojaMart Corporation. Since then, I have been slowly losing my mind. My family has been a part of Joja for years… except Grandpa.

"Hey Ashley, I need that expense report on my desk by Thursday."

"Okay Marty."

I opened up my tab and saw the report again. Joja appears to be skyrocketing and expanding. It also appears to be setting up in… Stardew…

"Ashley!"

I looked towards the entrance to my cubicle and saw my boss.

"Where were you this morning? You were needed at the meeting!"

"I was stuck in—"

"I don't care for your excuses! Just be there next time or you're fired." He said as he walked away.

I sighed as I looked back at the computer. The place was stuck in my head and wouldn't leave…

Stardew Valley…

I opened my personal drawer and saw the old letter that my Grandpa handed me before he died.

I haven't opened it yet… but the more I spend my time in this cubicle, the more I begin to think if this is the time that I open the letter.

I slowly opened the letter and finally read the letter.

'My Dear Ashley,

If you're reading this, you must be in dire need of a change. The same thing happened to me, long ago. I'd lost sight of what mattered most in life… real connections with other people and nature. So I dropped everything and moved to the place I truly belong. It may have cost me the love of the family, but it gave me something I lost long ago. Happiness. Attached to this letter is the deed to my home… my pride and joy: Jenning's Farm in Stardew Valley. Knowing how much you loved it as a child, it is my hope that you will care for the farm as if I was still there to help. I hope that you will make it the perfect place to start your new life. This was my precious and only gift of all, and now I give it to you. I know you will honor the family name, my child. I wish you the best of luck.

Love,

Grandpa'

I could not believe what I was reading. Grandpa… left me the farm…

I… own a farm?