Sam's birthday was almost a disaster. Well, okay, maybe that's not the right way to put it.
I felt like a disaster, though, because of the way things barely worked out. All thanks to fear. Let me tell you how that happened.
To start, I woke up late. As in 4pm late. Probably because I had made it into the house, but not into my bed, when I passed out the previous night, and awoke on the floor.
Thank (insert higher power here) I'd had the enthusiasm to wrap Sam's present as soon as I'd come home with it. It was an almost exact cube, wrapped in bold red wrapping paper and topped with a stringy gold ribbon.
I fled into a panic, quickly feeding Laslow, scooping up Sam's present, and heading out.
I was so frenzied that I didn't notice until too late that it was storming out. By that, I mean my boot got caught in some mud, and I fell face-first into more mud, and I didn't get up for maybe ten seconds because it took me that long to process what had happened. I was okay physically, and the present seemed to have retained its cube shape, but there was a bit of mud on a corner of it and even more mud on me, from below my nose down to my chest. My pride got a nasty bruise as well. I slowed down a bit, but still took off pretty quickly while using my sleeve to attempt to wipe the mud off me. Didn't really help that some of it was starting to go down my shirt.
When I got to town, I realized I didn't even know which house Sam's was. Or if Sam was even in any of these houses. Or if he was even in Stardew Valley today.
In my panic, I'd forgotten to grab an umbrella, so I dashed over to the clinic to take shelter under its roof.
I realized what was happening. I, like a complete and utter dolt, was in a panic over getting someone a birthday gift. A birthday gift is meant to be a happy thing, right? Here I was, making a bigger deal out of it than it should have been! I felt like a complete idiot.
Wait, was I an idiot for making it a big deal… or was I an idiot for doing this in the first place? For meeting someone, then running out and buying him something special for his birthday (nothing generic that anyone would like, such as candy, but something picked out with him in mind) a mere season later? I was being too forward, wasn't I?
I felt myself wanting to cry, so I then tried to encourage myself. Sam went out of his way to talk to me a lot of the time, even if it was just to come out to the beach and ask about my day!
I remembered the first time he'd done it. He seemed to be in a hurry, so all he could say was "I gotta go, but I wanted to stop by to say hi!" before taking off again. For the moment, things felt like they were going to be eternally okay.
That meant a lot, so I had to show my gratitude, right? Yeah! And my gift was special; it showed I remembered something about him and cared about his ambitions. Even if his ambition was to 1-up a friend in a game of pool. He'd like it! He'd… at least appreciate the thought, right?
But what if he didn't? Because what if he thought the thought was that I thought he sucked? What if he thought it was weird that I would go out of my way to bring him a birthday present? What if it made him uncomfortable?
…Why was my mind going in these different directions so quickly, and so painfully, anyway? It was like nothing I'd ever felt before… or something I'd only felt that one time in middle school when I got that crush on-
Before I could even conclude that thought in my own head, a voice called "Hello!" real cheerfully.
I looked over to see Sam's mother standing there, with an open umbrella in one hand and a plastic bag filled with groceries in another.
"What are you doing out here in the rain without an umbrella?" she fretted. "You're going to get sick! And… you look like you fell! Are you okay?"
Things would only get worse if I didn't explain myself, I decided on a dime. Literally, I just swung to a "fuck it" attitude and told her everything.
"I dunno if this is a bit forward, but I got this for Sam for his birthday," I said, holding the present out. "Then, I woke up late and tripped on some mud, and that's why I'm a mess."
"…You know what?" said Sam's mother. "Let's take this to him."
For a moment, I regretted everything.
And that alone made me realize what else had happened here today.
"I'm sure he'll love it," Sam's mother smiled, holding out her umbrella so I could fit under it. I sighed and obliged.
Soon, we were headed into that blue house in the southwest corner of town.
For literally trying to take note of the little details of this place to distract myself from the fact that Sam's mother was going to make me face Sam in this state, I have surprisingly little to report. There were a couple of couches and a decently-sized plant. I suppose there wasn't a TV anywhere, but rather, a radio sitting on a small table by the blue couch.
Sam's mother knocked on a nearby door and said "Sam! Someone's here to see you!"
"I'll be right there!" I heard Sam reply from within the room.
Yeah, my appearance was fucked, but I could still make a last-ditch effort to tidy myself on the inside. I took a few quiet, deep breaths. I took note of my rapid heartbeat and tried to make my brain send it the message to slow the fuck down. I even closed my eyes for a second or two. And actually, all of that did help me regain my composure for the moment that door opened.
Sam emerged, looking as he always did. He then saw me there.
"Hey," he said, walking over to me.
I could absolutely tell he saw the mud caked onto me, but didn't want to say anything. I supposed I was grateful for that.
Before my heart could take off again, I held out the present, smiled, and said "Happy birthday!"
Looking a bit surprised, he took it off my hands.
"Thanks!" he smiled.
He sat down on a nearby couch and opened it. I got the feeling of being on a stage, being judged by celebrity judges.
Not even on purpose, my attention was on his face for the seconds it took for him to open the present. Thankfully, he already seemed to be happy.
Of course, then came the fateful moment when he took the cue ball out of the box. The fear he'd take it the wrong way came back, but once again, I knew things could only go badly if I didn't explain.
"It's a cue ball you can train with," I said. "I, uh, know you want to get better at billiards, so…"
To my relief, Sam smiled.
"I never would have thought of this," he told me. He then looked at me. "Thank you, Rachael. This could really help me up my game." He looked back at the ball. "Do I practice my aim with this?"
"Yeah, that's what the dots are for," I said. "I guess, when you're ready, you can also use it to practice making it spin in intricate ways and stuff like that."
"Cool," said Sam.
"That is cool!" said Sam's mother.
"So… uh…" I said. "How has your day been?" I genuinely hoped his birthday, of all days, was at least decent.
"Alright," Sam shrugged. "Just kinda… hung around, played my guitar for a bit…"
So he played the guitar. I knew that now.
"Neat," I smiled.
A bit of silence.
Then, Sam's mother said "Rachael, what were your plans for today?"
I laughed and replied "I'd planned to give Sam his present, then do some fishing, but I didn't even wake up until 4. I don't think I have enough energy in me to do any fishing. I think I'm just gonna head home."
"It is getting late," said Sam's mother.
She looked out the window, as did I. It was still raining out there. When it rained here, it poured, which I could appreciate as a lover of rain… a.k.a. a psychopath, I guess.
"Sam," said Sam's mother. "Grab an umbrella and walk Rachael home."
Some sort of fight or flight thing kicked in, and I quickly put my hands up and replied "No, no, it's okay. He doesn't have to do that." I went to stand by the door. "I hope your birthday's been great, Sam!"
"…Y-Yeah, it was," Sam replied.
"I'll see you later!" I smiled, putting my hand on the door knob.
"Thank you for dropping by!" Sam's mother waved. "Be safe!"
"Thank you for letting me stop by!" I said, opening and walking out the door.
After stepping outside and closing the door, I breathed a sigh of relief.
The rain was uncomfortable, so I took a bit of a dash back toward home. I also became a bit fearful when I realized how much of a blur the start of my day had been, to the point where I didn't remember if I'd fed Laslow. If not, my poor buddy was going to have a fit!
I don't think I got quite past the house next to Sam's when I heard a voice shout "Wait!"
I stopped and turned around to see Sam himself running up to me with an open umbrella. It might even have been the same one that his mother was using.
"Did your mother make you come out here anyway?" I laughed.
"No, no," Sam replied.
His face was red. I assumed it was because he'd just dashed out here.
"I… didn't want you to get wet," he said.
"I was already soaking when I got into town," I laughed.
He sighed and said "Come here." He motioned for me to come under the umbrella with him, so I did, and we headed toward my home.
I felt a bit bad. I had the inkling that he'd lied about him not being out here because of his mother. I couldn't be sure, but having him come out even after I'd left seemed like a very "Sam's mother" thing to do. At least, from what I'd seen. I knew that asking Sam again would get me nowhere, though. Perhaps I'd never find out.
We walked in silence until we approached my house.
To my surprise, Laslow walked up to us when we got close enough to the house.
"Oh, hi!" I smiled, kneeling to pick him up.
I looked at him. There were some times when I could read his expression, and others when I couldn't. This time, I couldn't.
I was getting ready to ask him whether I'd fed him today, but then remembered that Sam was there. I turned to him, to see that his attention was also on Laslow.
"This is my cat, Laslow," I smiled.
What Sam did next warmed my heart; he absolutely started smiling, saying his hellos to Laslow, and petting him and giving him scritches behind the ears.
That "romance guru" in my mind was sounding the alarms again. "Appreciates cats," it stamped by Sam's name in small green letters.
I also noticed that Laslow was purring like mad. Like, I was almost convinced I was holding a motorcycle motor!
This was strange, and… not really in a bad way. Laslow liked Sam. For some odd reason, I was happier than I should have been to learn this.
I suddenly couldn't stop smiling.
"He showed up by my door one day," I explained. "His fur was all matted and stuff, so I took him in."
I also realized he'd come out in the rain to greet me. For what reason?
"I'm glad you took him in," said Sam. He stopped petting Laslow. "I guess you gave him the name?"
"Yeah, I did," I replied. I then looked down at Laslow. "Did I feed you today? I rushed out of the house so quickly, I don't even remember if I fed you, you poor thing!"
Then, the blur that was 4pm today started becoming more coherent in my mind.
"Wait… yeah, I fed you," I realized aloud. "Did I? Yes. No? Yes? Yes."
I heard Sam laugh, and as much as I tried to fight it, I had to blush. Sam's laugh was really freakin' cute. Wait, what?
There was a moment of silence. And for it being a moment of silence, I didn't want it to end for some reason.
"I should probably head home," said Sam.
I also realized something was off when those words managed to cut real deep. Alas, it was getting dark. I probably had to start thinking about getting to bed myself.
"Hey…" I said. "Thanks for walking with me. Don't ever feel like you have to, but… this was nice."
"It was," Sam agreed with a nod.
He made a sound, as if to say something else, but quickly went quiet again.
"I'll see you around," he said instead, turning around to walk away.
"Yeah!" I said, turning toward my house. "See ya!" I waved with my free hand, went inside, and set Laslow down.
And next thing I knew, I was looking out my window to watch Sam walk back toward town.
As soon as he disappeared, I flopped face-first onto my bed. All this happiness was almost painful, and was converting to sadness. Because Sam was gone now? No, not because he was gone now.
There was no way in hell.
As soon as I felt Laslow hop up onto the bed, I said "Laslow, what the fuck is going on?" I lifted my face to look at him. "What's happening to me?"
He simply laid down, then laid his head on his arm.
Author's casual discussion: I'd like to report that I was about midway through this chapter when I looked over at a pillow on the floor, caught a glimpse of this huge-ass spider, then watched it jump toward the side of my bed. I, a grown-ass woman, had to get my mom to kill it. I'm never going to make it on my own.