I sit with my legs over the side of the building, the ground was high enough that if I landed the right way I would die, if I land the wrong way I'd be horribly injured and they would take the little money I have, all I had to do was push. I bite into the cheap ham sandwich from the corner store, the thoughts of jumping going through my head for the hundredth time, ever since I started to eat my lunch on the roof, at first I was scared of the height, but bit by bit I got closer, the edge giving me some sort of comforting rush. My thoughts have been dark for a long time, I've had more tries on my life in the past month then most, but I would always stop myself, being too scared, why? I wasn't sure, I had no friends, no partner, my dad was distant, my mom was gone since I was five, my grandfather had died, and my Grandmother was on her deathbed, and after all the school, the debt for college, and I was stuck in a dead end job with JoJa. I pull a piece of bread off the sandwich and throw it to the mouse hiding in the corner, it grabs it instantly and runs. "Enjoy, Larry" I call out to the mouse.

Popping the rest of the sandwich into my mouth with a sigh, I look down and the anxiety kicks in at the thought, not today. I check my watch, no time for a shame cigarette. I stand, beginning to stretch as I do so, back to hell. I more the block from the door, shutting it tightly behind me, taking my time down the steps, the room I enter is plan and large, an endless sea of dull and dumb, I make my way down the endless cubicles, tuning out the soft noises coming from them. Then I finally get to my row, Purple hair, glasses, fitness freak, person who was fired last week for taking an unauthorized pee break, cow boy hat, my desk. I look up to the wall, the red rest light beaming, then a loud buzzer as it changes over to green, to work. "Attention, Breaks are over, back to work until eight." I glare up at the men watching through the window.

I ease myself into my chair, the usual migraine rushing back, back to somber reality. The phone goes off making me jump, sighing I pick it up. "Hello! You have called Joja head office, how may we brighten you today?" A mumbling, hard to understand voice beginnings to yell at her, something about fruit going bad already. "We are sorry sir, we will love to accommodate you however we can, just let me transfer you to produce." "Don't you dare fucking transfer me you whore! I want my money back and I want this done now!" "We are sorry for the inconvenience sir, but I am not apart of that Joja crew, so you will have to be transferred too…" I look down the list of applications, who's day did I want to ruin, my eye caught on one of my ex's. "James, Have a Joja-rrific and we hope to see you smile again." "No, don't you fucking dare transfer me you dumb bitch! Don't you da-" I click the transfer button and push in the number, all that for spoiled fruit.

I look around to see if anyone was looking, when I'm fairly sure no one is I open my side drawer, and shift around for the nicotine gum, my hand hits something else, I wrap my hand around it and pull it out, it was the envelope for Granddad. 'To my dear Layla.' I look sadly at the letter, it's been two years since his passing and it still hurts. 'There will come a day when you feel crushed by the burden of modern life… and your bright spirit will fade before a growing emptiness. When that happens, my girl, you'll be ready for this gift.' His words hang heavily on my shoulders, making my throat tight, I wanted to prove I would be okay, that I could use my diploma, that all my life wasn't a waste, but instead I was slowly killing myself at twenty-one. I open it gently, unfolding the letter, looking at the flowing hand writing.

Dear Layla,

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 belonged.

I've enclosed the deed to that place… my pride and joy: Day Farms. It's located in Stardew Valley, on the southern coast. It's the perfect place to start your new life.

This was my most precious gift of all, and now it's yours.I know you'll honor the family name, my girl, good luck.

Love, Granddad.

P.S. If Lewis is still alive say hi to the old guy for me, will ya?

My eyes keep going across the letter, all the possible choices going through her head. "Employee number 33301, kindly get back to work or be terminated," I check my desk number, that was mine. I consider the note for another second before I stand, raising my middle finger up to the over lookers. "Shove it, asshats!" The room goes quiet, I can feel all eyes on me, my face heats, but I won't back down. "Employee number 33301, you have been terminated effective immediately. Pack you desk and have a Joja-rrific day." A smile spreads across my face, I was free, I grab the waste can from underneath the desk that held crumpled papers and dumped it on the floor emptying her desk, I look at the picture of my grandparents and take a steadying breath. "I hope this works out, Granddad."

I break through the crappy front door, placing the can on the table, my dad peeks his head from around the corner, eyes looking at me then to the can, then back to me. "You're home early." He states. "Good observation, Pops. I've been fired!" I throw my hands up in the air unable to wipe the grin from my face, but his stays somber, his mouth forming into a line, his angry vein screaming out. "And why are we happy about this?" I hand the letter over to him. "What's this?" He asks opening it and giving it a look through. "Granddad gave me the farm, I'm going to except it." He looks at me with shock, he then closes the space between us and hugs me, something he hasn't done since I was a child. "I'm so proud." It takes me a second to click back to reality but my arms wrap around him as soon as I do.

"What's going on?" I look over to see Gram in the doorway, holding on to her cane for dear life. "Oh, Gram, you shouldn't be up." "Tell me what's happening first." She smiles devilishly at me, making me chuckle. "Lay down then I'll spill the beans." She nods in acceptance and goes back, I caught up to give her a hand. "Granddad gave me the farm." I tell her as soon as she's back in bed. "Oh, that scoundrel. He said he sold it, I knew he didn't have the heart. You'll do great dear, he loved that farm, I still blame myself for making him have to move into the city." "It's not your fault for being sick Gram." She smiles sadly, I can't tell if my words are comforting or not but she pats my hand gratefully. "Well? What are you waiting for? Go pack, get a bus ticket, call Mayor Lewis. So much to do child." I nod kissing her head and rush off, pulling out my phone and googling the place in the letter.

I look at myself in the mirror, the Joja market uniform hugs my body, I've gained weight, I remember when it was loose and when I had abs. Now that the beer was my company, and exercise was a myth it has grown faster and faster. I look over myself again, hating every bit I see. I rub a hand over my eyes trying to shake the pounding from them, doesn't work. Exiting my room I run into my Aunt in the kitchen. "Good morning, off already?" She asks showing off the eggs in the frying pan. "Nah, just got up early, mind if I join you for breakfast?" She smiles brightly, gesturing to the chairs. "Take a seat, it will be done in a second. Jas is already up and wondering." She tries to say it calmly, but the irritation come through, she hated it when Jas left the house right away, going off to who knows where, but that's just what kind of kid she was, she would come back eventually.

"She'll be fine, let her adventure." She huffs but nods, emptying the eggs onto two plates then dividing a couple of pancakes. She sets one down in front of me, I thank her with a soft grunt. "So have you heard the news?" She asks getting comfortable in her seat before stabbing at her eggs. "It's Stardew Valley, what news could possibly be exciting?" She huffs again, giving me a stern stare from across the table. "Sorry, what's the news?" "We're getting a new neighbor!" She squeals, shaking her arms with excitement, that makes me stop eating for a second, new neighbor? The last new guy was me and that was seven years ago, so that was pretty interesting.

"Are they building a new house or something?" "No, no, remember Mr. Day?" "The old farmer guy? Yea, didn't he die?" A sad look enters her face, I forgot they were close friends. "Yes a few year ago, but his grandchild is taking it over, their coming here in a week or so. Just in time for spring!" I nod like I'm still interested, but shove a mouth full of pancakes in so I wouldn't have to respond. "Lewis sounds so excited, if their anything like Mr. Day then this town might be recognized again, he's been talking to them every day to set things up and make sure they have a comfortable trip. Oh he's such a doll."

I shift uncomfortably, whenever she talked about Lewis she became all dreamy like, she will deny anything about dating and things like that, I honestly didn't care if they were or not but it made me feel awkward either way. "Well new neighbor, that's neat." I pretend to check the time on my watch and act surprised. "I should go, thanks for the food Aunt Marnie." "Of course dear, have a good day!"

I speed out the door and into the crisp air, winter was ending but the chill still lingers, even if things were starting to sprout. I hate spring, it was a stupid month, flowerie and gross, 'loves in the air'? Then snuff that bullshit out. He shoves his hands deep into his pockets, the usual people mull about, little Vincent runs past me, probably going to look for Jas, Sam was out on his shit skateboard, still trying to do a kick flip. Emily exciting her home, a basket in hand, large smile on her face, she waves wildly to me, I give a curt nod and quicken my pace, I'm not a fan of human interaction and don't feel like participating in it, why bother when I'll just be a miserable asshole.

I freeze at the entrance of the Joja market, my life is so bland, so worthless that I work here, just stocking, my eyes shift to the roof, was there a way to get up there? Or maybe I should visit the cliffs again, get drunk even to dull the anxiety and jump, or just get drunk enough to accidentally slip, either way I end this miserable existence, save heartbreak for my family, make my parents feel something for once, show I won't be like them for my whole life, that I'm not a coward to stop it. Fuck life.

The door tings open as I enter, the luminescent lights bugging my eyes and ears. "Ah, perfect, Shane, we have five new boxes packed to the top! Better get to it." Fuck my life.