Dewdrop on my Heart.
Prologue
Jane sat next to her grandfather's bed, the room was dark only the light of the smoldering fire illuminated the small space.
"And for my very special granddaughter." The older man said he lifted a small piece of paper, taking a ragged breath. The paper was folded and sealed with wax. "I want you to have this."
Jane stepped forward grabbing the parchment from his hand, she began tearing at the seal.
" , Don't open it yet" Another ragged breath. "Have patience, Listen close." The room grew still and she shuffled closer to her grandfather. "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."
Jane swallowed hard past the lump forming in her throat.
"When that happens my girl, you'll be ready for this gift." He took a long deep breath, sighing. "Now let your grandpa rest."
Chapter One
20 years later.
Jane sat behind her desk, the busy bustle of the JOJA corporation shuffling past her. She sighed.
"I'm telling you the valley is perfect." A man said.
She sat up straighter, straining to hear the conversation.
"I just don't think there is enough prophet in bringing a JOJA mart to the valley. Stardew Valley clings to their old ways, they would never go for it." Another man said.
"You want to build a JOJA mart in Stardew Valley?" Jane asked from across the office. The room grew still as the men as well as her coworkers turned to look at her.
"You can't, part of the appeal of Stardew is its quaint shops and local charm, you would be ruining a legacy."
No one breathed as they watched her raise to her feet marching to the two men.
"Ah, Ms. Sutton, since you're so informed on the workings of the valley, would you be interested in leading the project? There will be lots of money in it for you, and a promotion, assistant to the regional manager." The man said.
A promotion, a pay increase, everything Jane had been working so hard for, but the valley, her valley. She looked between the men. "I can't, " She said.
The man's eyebrows rose to his hairline.
"Cant or wont?" He said, crossing his arms "Answer carefully."
Jane looked around the office. Gritting her teeth she straightened her shoulders. "I won't let you ruin the valley."
"Well Ms. Sutton. It appears your usefulness to the JOJA corporation has come to an end, pack your desk, your termination is effective immediately."
Jane stood there before these men, before the whole office, and she realized. Empty, that all she felt, she looked at these people, at her life and felt nothing but emptiness. Without another word she left.
Jane walked silently back to her apartment. What am I supposed to do now?
A memory flashed through her mind.
"When you feel crushed by the burden of modern life, and your spirit fades into a growing emptiness, you will be ready for this gift." Her grandfather had said, all those years ago. Where did that parchment end up?
Jane spirited through her bedroom door. Dropping to her knees she yanked an old suitcase from beneath her bed. It creaked as she lifted it open. Old notes and scraps of paper were shoved inside as well as images of her and her grandfather.
Where is it? She pulled out the stack of papers and flipped through them
"Ah Ha!" she exclaimed, holding the wax sealed paper into the air. She sat on the edge of her bed, carefully prying the parchment open, jagged writing scribbled across the paper.
It read.
Dear Jane, If you are reading this, you must be in dire need of a change.
Same thing happened to me, long ago, I'd lost sight of what mattered most in my life… Real connections with other people and nature. So I dropped everything and moved to the place I truly belong.
I've enclosed the deed to that place… My pride and joy: Dewdrop Farm. It is 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, Grandpa.
P.S. If Lewis is still alive, say hi to the old guy for me, will ya?
The paper floated down to the bed. The farm, he left her the farm. She chuckled, how he knew she would need it all these years later was beyond her.
Closing her eyes she whispered "Thank you." and bought her bus ticket that night.