Chapter Nine

A List and A Fishing Rod

Joan woke up early on Friday morning; she got up, washed, got dressed, grabbed a maple bar from the table and headed out the door.
The early morning sun shone brightly and glittered thru the tree leaves as Joan made her way down to the pond to refill her watering can. Again her eyes drifted towards the entrance to Cindersap forest and again she yearned to explore. Did it still look the same? Was the secret woods still there?
Joan remembered her dreams, the darkness, she shivered.

Joan watered her parsnips and as she went to hang the can on the hook on the porch, she noticed the letter sticking out of the little white mailbox next to the cabin. She noticed it had been dated Tuesday…..she opened the envelope and written in a kind of ugly scrawl on a piece of white card she read:

Hello there,
Just got back from a fishing trip. You should come down to the beach some time.
I've got something for ya.
Willy

Willy? This must be the fisherman that lives on the pier down at the beach. Her grandfather had once mentioned a fisherman that had been stirring up the local fishing community in the days when he was still alive. He was quite the accomplished angler and went out to sea often. Joan made a mental note to drop by Willy after her visit to Robin. She really needed to get started on getting supplies for expanding her one room cabin, but first she needed to know what it was going to cost her.

Noticing earlier on the map of Stardew Valley, Joan saw there was a path that led up north from the farm and then westwards up towards the mountain – this must be the mountain path that leads directly to Robin's house and Carpentry Shop. There is also a bathhouse and a train station but according to Mayor Lewis the entrance is temporarily blocked by a landslide which happened over the past winter. JoJo Corporation who did claim responsibility is removing, albeit extremely slowly (according to Abigail), the rubble. Viewing the alternative route to Robin's which led thru Pelican Town and then up the mountain, Joan opted for option one, the mountain path. She did not feel like bumping into people and making conversation this morning. She did need to stop by Pierre's about her phone though.

Joan slid her backpack over one shoulder and headed for the mountain path. It was beautiful, the trees all lined up along the path with some bushes in between. Joan noticed several roots which she pulled out of the ground and placed into her backpack, she will have to ask Pierre later what they are. She also found some leeks and added them to the pack. It took a few minutes and then Joan arrived at Robin's house. The house was a huge wooden cabin with a blue roof, built just below a small cliff. There was a small extension at the back left and Joan could see a telescope on the small patio fenced off on the side. Joan made her way down the small slope on the side of the house and headed for the front door.

Robin had greeted Joan warmly when she had stuck her head around the open door and had motioned her to come inside. Robin was super excited at the prospect of doing renovations and upgrading of Joan's farm and cabin. However Joan had wished for the world to swallow her up as Robin had listed the expenses and supplies needed. She must have been flushed because the next thing she knew she was being ushered onto a chair and Maru with a huge smile came out of what looked like a laboratory down the hall with a glass of water.

"Hi Joan!" she greeted and handed her the glass. Just then a tall dark man came out of the laboratory to stand behind Maru. "Do you know my Dad, Demetrius?"Maru introduced, "he's a scientist. I have a lot of fun helping him out in the laboratory."
The man came out from behind his daughter and said, "I'm studying the local plants and animals from my home laboratory. This valley has a very vibrant and diverse ecosystem. That's one reason I was excited to move here."
"Nice to meet you" Joan smiled, and then took a sip from the glass. She could feel her cheeks getting cooler and she was starting to feel better. Demetrius hugged Maru and winked at Robin, then disappeared down the hall back into the laboratory.

"Don't stress too much about the renovations and such, let's start with something small, like the bathroom and maybe a small kitchen, yes? The rest will sort itself out." Robin patted Joan's shoulder, and handed her a list of materials for the bathroom. "Let's work on this first" she said then returned to go stand behind her shop counter and pulled out a blue print of what looked like the farm's cabin and started to make notes.

It wasn't until Maru took the glass from Joan's hand that she realized the girl was still there. Maru placed the glass on the counter, and then turned towards Joan. "Come on" she smiled, and headed towards the front door. Joan stood up and stuffed the list into her backpack, "Bye Robin", she said but Robin was so busy studying the blue print that she did not notice. Joan turned and rushed to catch up with Maru who was already out the door.

The cool spring breeze met Joan as she followed Maru towards the huge mountain lake. The valley truly was beautiful. Maru led Joan to the small island in the center of the lake, then stopped and turned to look at Joan.
"Whenever I'm struggling with a technical problem, I always take a walk. It's surprising how much a change of scenery can help." She smiled took Joan's hand and gave it a little squeeze then walked back the way they had come, leaving Joan to stare after her. Maru obviously was not as young as she first had thought, though not as old as her, but very smart. Joan looked around; yes a change of scenery can truly help and put things in perspective. Yes, the list of stuff to do was enormous and felt totally impossible. But she will take Robin's advice and start small. The bathroom is small and much needed.

Joan headed towards town. She still needed to visit Willy.

Once in town, Joan quickly popped into Pierre's to ask about the roots she had found. They were as he told her Wild Horseradish a spicy root that can only be found in springtime. She will have to look them up in the library, which she was thrilled to learn that the town had one. Joan bought some Cauliflower and Potato seeds which pleased Pierre extremely after she had asked if she could charge her phone in the shop. With a promise to be back later she then headed out towards the beach.

It was already late afternoon by the time Joan got to the beach, she had been stopped by Caroline and Jodi to hear how things were going and then Evelyn had the thought to share her views on the flowers in town. She was after all placed in charge of them by Mayor Lewis. And the little nudge for a visit did not go by unnoticed. Joan will have to stop by Evelyn's over the weekend.

Joan found Willy on the edge of the eastern pier just past his shop and house.

"Ahoy, There Miss!" he greeted friendly; he was holding an old smoking pipe in one hand and a weathered bamboo fishing pole in the other. "Heard there was a newcomer in town. Good to finally meet ya." His grin was so wide that Joan could not help but match his smile. Joan moved to stand next to him, and for a moment he stared out to sea.
"Ah, I'm still trying to unwind from a month out on the salty seas. It was a big haul; I sold a lot of good fish. Finally saved enough to buy me a new rod…..here I want you to have my old fishing rod" Willy turned to face her and held out the old bamboo rod.
Joan hesitantly at first then took hold of the rod with one hand. "I knew your grandpappy…."he said softly. Joan looked up to see the lines on Willy's forehead turn into a frown. "He was a good man….and a good friend. "

Joan nodded, "Thank you…" and Willy let go of the rod, it was lighter than she had expected for the size.
He turned back to face the sea, "It is important to me that the art 'o fishing stays alive. And hey, maybe you'll buy somethin' from the shop once in a while…."

"There's good water here in the valley. All kinds 'o fish…" his voice drifted off as though he was remembering something…..."Oh yeah, my shop's back open now, so come by if you need supplies. I'll also buy anything you catch." he then turned and walked towards his shop, "If it smells, it sells!"

He turned toward Joan just as he reached his door "That's what my ol' Pappy used to says, anyway."
And with that he disappeared inside.