A Not-So-Wonderful Life
By Luna-Forever
Disclaimer: All characters included in this story are the property of Natsume. I do not own Harvest Moon. It is the property of Natsume.
Chapter One: Nightmares of Her
"No! Please! Let me go! Please, just LET ME GO!!"
Jack jolted upward in bed, panting heavily, sweat gathering on his forehead. He had been having the same dream every day now since Mac had been born. Why? He asked himself once again. He checked to assure himself that he had not wakened his wife. Muffy was in a deep sleep, breathing softly, her eyes closed delicately.
Breathing a sigh of relief, Jack crept out of bed and lightly padded across the wood floor, pulled on his brown leather boots, and crept out the door silently. He strolled, deep in thought, through the chilly night air as the cricket's summer melodies sung out to his ears. He walked over to the bridge that lay over a slow-flowing stream, and sat on the dark wood, letting his feet dangle over the edge, kicking gently at the water.
"I still miss you. I wish I could see you once more…" The wind carried a choked voice through the cool night. The words fell into Jack's ears, and he stiffened. Glancing further east towards a peaceful valley, Jack could see a dark figure crouched by the tombstone that lay near the front of Galen's house.
Standing, Jack walked slowly up to the house to find Galen kneeled down in front of Nina's grave, choking out his prayer between grief-filled sobs.
"Galen?" Jack whispered in a worried tone.
Galen froze, but soon stood and turned to face Jack. "Oh, Jack. I was just doing a bit of praying, my boy."
Jack nodded solemnly. "It'll be alright, Galen."
"I know. I'm fine. Just...fine." Galen breathed out, obviously holding back his tears. "So, what are you here for at this time of night anyway?" He grumbled.
"Couldn't sleep." Confessed Jack sheepishly, "I had a nightmare."
Galen motioned to the door of his quaint house, and Jack pushed it open, walked in, and held the door for the old man. The two sat down at a small table. The young man looked at his elder, who looked back at him.
"Sit up straight. What is it with kids these days and proper posture?" The old man snapped, and Jack's back straightened immediately. Satisfied, the old man began the conversation. "So tell me about this nightmare of yours."
"It was Muffy." Jack started, and the old man's eyes began to shine with interest.
"I was working on the farm. You know, an average day. But then, Muffy came out, and she was holding Mac in her arms. The whole farm set fire. The baby and Muffy too, they were laughing. And Muffy, she just…pinned me there. She just held me down in the fire. She wanted me to die." Jack explained in a frightened tone.
"Have I ever told you why I married Nina?" Galen asked, his eyes watching the ceiling in a dreamy state.
"Because you loved her?" Jack asked, wondering what this story had to do with his dream.
The old man closed his tired eyes and shook his head slowly. "Beauty is a blinding thing. A man can often confuse beauty with love, you know." His eyes still closed, Galen continued. "He who confuses beauty for love often ends up with something left to be desired."
"But you didn't marry Nina for her looks, did you?" As Jack asked this question, he couldn't help but have his mind ask him: What looks?
"I thought I was marrying her for love, but after the wedding, I started feeling like something was missing, like she was pulling me down. Sort of like that dream you had. Anyway, we split up for a few weeks after I told her how I felt. But love is a powerful thing, something we had had all along. And it pulled us together again. Until she passed away, that is." Galen sighed, unhappy.
"So you think I married Muffy for her looks?" Jack asked, raising his voice a little.
Galen nodded once, and stood. Jack stood as well, and the old man led him to the door. "Bring me something from your farm sometime, will you?" He asked, then closed the door, leaving Jack alone to walk back home.
End of Chapter One