-Chapter 4-

Stories

Nook'n'Go was stocked full for the day when June walked in the next morning. The clouds overhead were dark and looming that day, threatening rain soon. She was glad to be inside before it poured.

Nook turned cheerily, "Welcome! Feel fr—Oh, it's just you."

June frowned. That was a nice greeting.

"I need you to post something on the bulletin board again."

"What do you need posted?"

"I need you to advertise our Black Friday sale. We have triples of all our items in stock and we have clothes, wallpaper, and carpet available for way cheaper than the Able Sisters'. So I'm going to need you to post at our bulletin board and Rosetown's. Report back here immediately upon completing the job. No dilly-dallying in Rosetown. Understand?"

"Yes, sir."

June hurried to the post office and began to write the advertisement. Nook'n'Go Black Friday Sale! She made sure to make it big and bold. More Stock, More Items, Great Sales! She thought of what else Nook said. Clothes, Wallpaper, and Carpet available in-store! She smiled and added. Come on by! Friday, November 26th.

She pinned it up on the board and decided to write Rosetown's sign here, while she could see the other to copy. She wrote the message, rolled it up, and headed off to the station.

"Going to Rosetown again? Eek?" Porter asked her. She had come right on time for the 8:15 train.

"Yeah… this time it's work-related," June told him.

"Eek! EEK! For me, it's always work-related… I never get a chance to visit…"

"You don't get a day off at all?"

"Eek! Nope! Can't afford it! The train runs twenty-four/seven! EEK!"

"That's a shame…"

"It's how it's gotta be. Eek." He let June on the train, and she took a seat.

Rover was across the aisle from her. He smiled and waved, "Hey there, June! Back to Rosetown already?"

"I'm doing a job for Nook. Thanks to you, I owe him a bunch!"

"Ha ha ha har har har!" Rover had a laugh like Nook's. "But also thanks to me you got a shelter in preparation for the rain that'll be coming soon."

"Yes… I suppose so…" She looked at him curiously. "So what do I owe you?"

"Ha ha ha! Nothing, June! Don't you worry! You'll just owe me one if I need a favor later, kay?"

June smiled as the train came to a stop. She hurried on her way to the bulletin board, posted the ad, and ran back to the station, not letting the train leave in the meantime.

When she got back to Thornville, she went back to Nook's.

Nook seemed shocked that she was back so soon. He told her, "Since that job took you out of your way to Rosetown, I'll give you a good pay… plus you made it with one train, so I'll give you a bonus!"

June perked up.

"How's 500 bells sound?"

June nodded. This was more like it… kinda.

Nook sent her out again on a couple deliveries, which paid little but were hard on her. She longed for Rosetown. She wanted to pick some apples from the trees, maybe bring some home to plant in Thornville. She looked up at her own cherry trees as she delivered to Vivian, who took the furniture and gave her an old shirt of hers in return. "This will look amazing on you, Hatchling," she told her. "Take it!"

It was called a Big Dot Shirt, and June could see why. A huge white dot sat at the center of the orange shirt. "Thanks, Vivian," she said and put the shirt on top of the other packages. "I'll wear it today after work."

She continued then to Chip's house for the next delivery. She gave him a few packages, as he was redoing his house. Luckily, she had a dolly this time. "Here, Chi," he said, handing her an exotic wardrobe, "this would look great in your pad, I'm sure."

"Thanks, Chip! I'll store my clothes and stuff in here. Thanks!"

She put it on the dolly and wheeled it and the shirt back to her house. After dropping them off, she left and headed to Nook's again, just as a roll of thunder sounded in the sky. "Well that took you long enough!" Nook was impatiently tapping his foot as she entered his store.

June sighed. How much was he going to dock her this time?

Tom Nook was quiet. June turned around to what he was looking at. It had begun to rain outside, which brought a beautiful sight. The sun was still bright, poking through the thick clouds and making each raindrop sparkle as it fell to the ground. "Wow…" she gasped. "That's so pretty…" She turned back to her boss. "Mr. Nook?"

But his mind was not there. His mind was in the past.

"Mr. Nook?"

"Huh? Oh… yes… your pay… That earned you 300 bells." He must have forgotten to dock her, but June wasn't going to complain. "Your next job is…" He continued to stare out the window. "…not ready yet… Come back later." With that, he left to the back of the store.

June was confused. She started to leave, then she remembered what Pawpi told her last night. She turned back around and approached Nook cautiously. "Mr. Nook…? Is everything alright?"

"Just fine, June. Go help the villagers." He was very curt in his reply, but she stayed. "Get out!"

"Mr. Nook… I know you don't like me very much and I'm just an employee… but I'm probably the only person you can talk to as someone besides a customer… please… if you want to—"

"You're relentless!" Tom Nook was faltering, though, and he sighed. "Why did you move here, June?" he asked quietly.

"Huh? I don't know… to be on my own, I guess."

"Me too… To follow a dream, June. To make animals know who I am… To have some attention, honestly." He leaned over toward June. "I grew up in a small town, June! You can't blame me for wanting some excitement!"

"Not at all!" June agreed.

"But Sable…" Tom looked out the window again. "If you see a rainbow out there, please let me know."

"A rainbow, sir?"

"Yeah."

June nodded and stood in the doorway, looking around at the sky. "No rainbow, Mr. Nook."

"None?"

"Nope."

She heard Nook groan. "Take a break, June. I've worked you hard enough already. And this talk… 50 bells."

"Aw, Mr. Nook, I don't need—"

But Nook wouldn't hear of it. "And this…" he gave her the retro umbrella that was in stock. "Take it so you don't get that uniform wet." He was sullen, but he still teased. After all, June knew that it wasn't the uniform that concerned him. She smiled and left the store. She understood that he needed to be alone for awhile.

June knew very little about the Able Sisters. She knew they were porcupines. She knew they were tailors. She knew nothing else. She was learning their story with Nook, however. Apparently, they grew up together. Of this, she was certain. Tom Nook had a past with Sable, one of the sisters. She remembered Gabe going off about how he treated her, so something must have happened, something bad, to burn that bridge. She sat in her house and watched the sunny rain. She wondered what it was about this bright rain that made Nook reminiscent. She shrugged. She didn't need to know the whole story right now.

She left her house and walked over to Andy's house. She knocked on the door. There was no answer. "Must be out…" she turned around. "I really want to thank him in person for the hammock." She sighed.

"I cOuLd TeLl HiM yOu StOpPeD bY," the gyroid at the house made her jump.

"Oh… um… Where is he now?"

"RoSeToWn."

"Really? He's visiting Rosetown again? That's great! I'll catch him later, but be sure to tell him I stopped by and want to see him."

"SuRe ThInG."

She left again and headed toward Pawpi's pad. She was greeted cheerily and hurriedly brought in out of the rain. "Arf! What's happening, June?"

"Tom Nook gave me some time off," she told him.

"What?! Arf! No way!"

"Well, actually…" She proceeded to explain what had happened at Nook'n'Go. Pawpi listened with full attention and almost perked ears. "So… something about the sunny rain…"

"He's opening up to you, June! Arf! This is great!"

"What?"

"June… Sable opened up to Gabe, and Tom's opening up to you. You guys can finally unfold the mysteries of the full story!"

"I just wish I could restore their friendship…" June admitted. "Based on what I could gather, they must have grown up together then grown apart when Mr. Nook moved away."

"I think it's more complicated than that, June."

"Yeah… I'm afraid you're right." She shifted uncomfortably on the red chair she was sitting on. "Oh!" she perked up. "Guess where Andy is!"

"Where?"

"Rosetown."

"Arf! What? No way!"

"I know. I was shocked. I wonder what made him go." June looked at Pawpi curiously. "What is the story about him anyway?"

"He and Gabe are real close. Gabe will be able to tell you more than I could."

"So he is still close with Gabe? I thought that was the reason he never visited… because of some sort of falling out."

"Nah, nothing like that."

"So what was it?"

"I told you yesterday that I didn't know."

"Oh… that's right. Sorry."

"Arf! It's fine!"

"So many characters… so many stories… I can't keep up with it all."

"All a part of living in a neighborhood."

"Well… I don't know how long Mr. Nook's mood will be like this… so I better go back so it doesn't turn to fury."

"Arf! Ha! Ha! I'm sure you'll be fine."

"Thanks for letting me in awhile. Your house is lovely."

"Well, thanks, June. Sometimes I feel I don't try hard enough with this whole interior design thing."

"Well… I suppose any house is better than mine." June winked.

"Arf! That it is!" Pawpi chuckled.

He saw her to the door and she opened her umbrella to the downpour. She hurried across the wet grass and leaves to Nook's store. When she entered the store, the tanuki was talking to Chip.

"That's it, Chi!" he was purchasing some stationary. "Thanks!" He started to leave and saw June standing near the door. "Still working here?"

"Probably for the rest of my life," she spoke in a low voice.

Chip laughed and hurried out, opening his own umbrella, the paper parasol style.

"Welcome back, June," Nook definitely seemed cheerier. "I'll have you do some inside jobs today, to keep you out of the rain."

"Well, thank you, Mr. Nook…" June said shyly.

"I need you to watch the store while I'm gone. Do not buy anything from villagers with my money. That's only for me."

"Where are you going, sir?"

"I have some errands to run at the post office."

"I could do that… really, I don't mind the rain." That was a lie. June hated being wet. She was terrified of lightning storms, and she was always afraid of slipping on the wet grass.

"Actually, there are more personal matters that concern me right now. Don't worry, I'll give you a proper pay for your trouble and for leaving you on your own for non-business-related reasons."

"O…kay…" June watched as he left. She set her umbrella behind the counter and leaned against the smooth wood. She drummed her fingers for a couple minutes, then she walked around, looking at the different items in stock. She was flipping through the clothing catalog in the far left corner when she heard the door slide open. She turned. "Welcome to Nook'n'Go!" She said cheerily. Then, she realized who had walked through the door.

It was Andy, toting a few fish.

"Andy!" June became a little embarrassed at her appearance. She was wearing her work uniform and looked like a helpless employee. She was a helpless employee, she determined.

"Nook's not in?"

"Andy! I wanted to thank you so much for the hammock!"

"Oh, yeah. No problem."

"Really… I mean… what made you get it for me? I mean…"

"You didn't have a bed. Everyone needs a bed. It's a necessity of life."

"Well… thank you… What can I do for you? I mean… I want to repay you. I really want to repay you…"

"It seems you have enough repayment to take care of…" Andy pointed out. "I'll come back when Nook's here."

"I heard you were at Rosetown…" June tried to start conversation. "And… you're a good friend of Gabe."

"What's it to you?"

"I'm sorry… I just… wanted to make conversation… I know Gabe, so…"

"You know Gabe?"

"Yeah… He was at K. K.'s concert yesterday."

"Oh yeah. That."

"Why didn't you go?"

Andy was silent. "I don't know. Didn't feel like it, I guess."

"I'm sure Gabe was happy to see you today."

"Yeah, sure. Whatever."

"I know he was." June forced a smile. "They were talking about how you caught a bee and had beestings all over your face at the Roost."

Andy exhaled sharply. "Those animals and their gossip."

"It was a fun story about you… nothing harmful…"

"Sure. Whatever."

June realized that her conversation was getting nowhere. She shot her eyes downcast and uttered, "Have a good day."

Andy waited a moment, then he left the store.

June went back to flipping through the catalog. She saw a lot of cute shirts that she would like to wear. She decided to go to Rosetown tonight and check out the store itself. That would have to be after she toured the museum here in Thornville with Pawpi.

June turned again at the sound of the door.

"Hello! Welcome to Nook'n'Go!" she said as Huey bounded in.

"Whoa! He's got you doing his job now!"

"It's not bad."

Huey put away his hypno parasol umbrella and started walking around the store. "I just came to see if ol' Nook has anything good today, Hippity-Hop."

"Go ahead. I'm allowed to sell… I'm just not allowed to buy."

"That explains me running into Andy earlier. He still had a bunch of fish with him."

"I couldn't hold him here for long…"

"You talked to him?"

"Yeah… kinda." She sighed. "He was at Rosetown today…"

"Oh, yeah. I know. Quite a shock, really."

"Everyone keeps telling me that he and Gabe are close."

"Yeah, almost as close as brothers… almost."

"So what's the problem?"

"It all started last month. With Pauly."

"Who's Pauly?"

"A really close friend of Andy. He lived in Rosetown. Andy and Gabe would always hang out with him, Hippity-Hop. They were always together."

"How do you know this?"

"I used to live in Rosetown. Moved here a little after the incident."

"Incident?" June's curiosity made her lean in unintentionally.

Huey laughed. "If you really want to know, I'll tell you."

"PLEASE! It would explain a lot!"

"Ha! Alright."

Apparently Pauly was a blue eagle who used to live in Rosetown. When Andy first went over to visit Gabe, Gabe introduced him to Pauly, one of his best friends there. They would catch bugs and fish and even started a grove of fruit trees. There were more than just Rosetown's apples. There were oranges, peaches, pears, and cherries as well. Huey had been back to see if the grove was still there. It was, but much of the fruit was still on the trees. Either that or they had fallen on the ground on their own, without being shaken down.

It was really sudden and without warning that Pauly left. He sent both of the boys a letter, saying that he was really sorry he had to leave, but life's like that sometimes. He wished them luck in their lives and hoped that he would see them again. And that was that. When Andy saw the letter, he took the first train out of Thornville to visit Gabe, who was equally concerned. They couldn't reply back. They couldn't find out his new mailing address. It was as if he had fallen off the face of the earth.

Andy got angry, while Gabe became very upset. Huey had never seen Gabe like that before. He had tried his best to cheer the boys up, but nothing helped. Ever since then, they didn't really visit each other that much. It was as if something had left them… something that could never be restored.

"All in all," Huey was saying, "Andy's a nice guy. Really, he is, Hippity-Hop."

"Wow… that's all so sad," June felt like she would cry. "Do you have any idea what made him leave so abruptly?"

"No… Not at all."

It was just then that Tom Nook came back into the store. June's eyes bulged for a second, but she stood up straight and smiled at Huey. "Did you find anything you would like to purchase today?"

Huey turned and saw Nook and smirked. "Not yet, Hippity-Hop. But I'll let you know." He winked and continued browsing.

June came over to Nook. "Andy came by to sell some fish, but he said he'd come back later since you were out."

Nook nodded, "Good. Good." He grabbed some paperwork and wrote down a few things. "750 bells. You're free to go, June. I expect you bright and early again tomorrow."

"Yessir!" With that, she skipped outside, where the rain was now barely a light drizzle. She poked her head back in the store. "Mr. Nook? Do you want this umbrella back?"

"No, June. That's yours."

"Thanks, Mr. Nook. Really, for everything."

When she stepped outside, Pawpi was walking toward his house. "Arf! Hey, June!" he waved.

"Hi, Pawpi!"

"Guess who I just saw in the post office!" He was now right beside her.

"Who?"

"Tom Nook."

"Yeah. Apparently he had some errands to run."

"I wouldn't call it an errand. Unless he was checking customer complaints or something."

"What do you mean?"

"You know how you can save a letter in the post office?"

"Yeah…"

"He was looking at old letters. I figured it may have something to do with Sable."

"He really was discontent today. But he seemed fine when he came back. Happier, even."

Pawpi nodded with a smile. "June… I think he and Sable were a kid couple!"

June's mouth dropped. "Then why on earth do they hate each other now?"

"We know it has something to do with the move."

"Yeah…" June looked back at Nook's shop. "I can't blame him for why he moved. He wanted to find himself… to become successful."

"Yeah, but at what cost?"

"Excuse me… I have to do something…" June scurried back into the store.

Huey had left, and Nook was examining his income charts.

"Mr. Nook?"

"Hm?" he looked up. "June? What are you doing here?"

"Are you alright?"

"I'm fine. Why on earth would you ask me that?"

"Mr. Nook… I know you probably don't want to talk about it, but—"

"Oh, that! Don't you worry yourself, June. It's quite alright."

"It is?"

"Yes."

"So… Sable…"

"Is a part of my past. They say don't look back, so I'm not looking back!"

June's heart fell. "That can't be right."

"Well it's right for me!"

"Mr. Nook… You couldn't possibly be happy…"

"Well, I am!"

"What happened between you and Sable?"

"Nothing that concerns you!" He was glaring at her now. She had stepped too far.

She hung her head. "I'm sorry, Mr. Nook. I won't bother you again." She left the store.

She knew exactly where to go. She ran to the train station and boarded with Porter. When the train stopped at Rosetown, she hurried off and ran to Gabe's house. His gyroid danced at her approach, and she knocked loudly on the door.

"Yeah?" Gabe answered the door. "Hey! What's up?"

"I know it's just gossip and drama… but I can't help but think that I can help him somehow…"

"What are you talking about?"

"I have this tendency to want to help people when they don't get along… but Tom Nook won't tell me anything. I figure you knew Sable's side of the story… so…"

"It's not my story to tell, really, June. But I understand. All I can really say is that Tom Nook wasn't there for her when she needed him the most."

"What do you mean?"

Gabe invited her inside his house. It was so much bigger compared to hers, yet still a bit small. He sat across from her on a yellow sofa while she took a seat on the rocking chair by the window. "Sable and Mabel are sisters. They lived by Nook in a small town. Nook moved away. Then the sisters' parents died."

"That's awful!"

"Sable was forced to grow up… to take care of her infant sister."

"Wow…"

"Tom Nook didn't say a word. He didn't write a letter. He didn't call. He didn't attend the funeral or even visit. He abandoned her! And that is why they can never be as they were!"

"That's terrible! I can't believe Mr. Nook would do such a thing… I mean… he had to have a reason, right?"

"You can try to see the good in him if you want, June, but I'm sure that nothing was important enough for him to stay. Nothing but the bells he counts and the business he runs! He's ruthless!"

June felt uncomfortable. Was this truly Nook's character? Would he truly abandon a dear friend in a heartbeat if money were involved? No… there had to be something.

Her friends' and acquaintances' stories were all so new to her, and there was so much more to come. But as sure as she lived in Thornville, she would try to fix the problems, no matter how unsolvable they seemed.