Harvest Moon- Return to Nature Chapter 2

Harvest Moon- Return to Nature Chapter 2

The Inn was kind of quiet- even after we opened the door to enter. The Mayor pushed past me and over to a well-lit corner. We pulled a pair of chairs out and relaxed a bit- the stress of the day so far draining off.

"So, how is the rest of the family? Your parents?"

"Well…. We ran into a bit of a snag maybe three or four years ago- after all that happened, Mom and Dad got divorced, and I've been trying to locate him for the past few years- with no large amount of luck. At least Mom got through it all right- I think she owes that to Sarah being there for her."

"I understand. Rough waters lap at every shore, no matter how calm they may seem."

"Well, then…. I really hate to rush ahead like this, but we may as well get down to the point of why I'm here."

"Very well, then…" Mayor Thomas pulled a small sheaf of papers from his coat pocket, and slid them across the table to me. I scooped them up and scanned them with my eyes, while listening to the mayor talk.

"It's there, on that page. Your grandfather's wishes were a small amount out of the ordinary, but he did take extremely good care of the farm. We respect his memory, and we've decided to go with his wishes."

He took a deep breath, and I used the small amount of time to look around. I scanned most of everything- including catching the hazy forms of faces peering in the ground floor windows of the Inn.

"He always couldn't stop talking of the joy it brought him when you came down to the farm every summer. Not only did he like the extra help, he knew it was good for you to get out of the city. He knew that it brought you a large amount of happiness that you could be trusted somewhere far from home, to do what you were told. And so he translated his wishes into his will.

"Jason…. He left you the farm. The land and all property comprising it. It is his wish that you be happy at the same place you were years ago."

My face paled a bit in the light. The farm? Grandpa left me the farm?!

"There are other conditions, but I thought you might want to go ahead and get settled at the old house."

"Sure…." I stammered a bit, looking around. I swore to myself I could have heard a soft 'click' and the light footsteps of someone watching from above- I looked up and caught a flash of red hair as someone rushed back into a room.

It figures, I thought. I'm possibly the most exciting thing that's ever happened to this town since bread was invented.

"Then we'll continue tomorrow, out at the farm- if that's all right with you?"

"Sure. Thanks for everything."

"My pleasure. Go ahead, get yourself settled and get some rest."

We stood up, shook hands once again, and stepped out the front door of the Inn. It was still kind of chilly, but the snow was melting, ever so slowly.

"Just go up this street, take a left, and keep following the path. When you get to the crossroads on the edge of the village, keep going the way you were. You'll come to your farm soon after that."

He tipped his hat, and walked off. I waited until he was gone, then walked up the path, following his instructions.

Arriving at the homestead, I looked out over the snow-covered fields and sighed.

This place looks like a disaster area covered with some kind of frosting. When Spring gets here, it'll just look like a disaster area. I thought to myself. Then I remembered the baggage I had brought. I ran up to the door, and found a note tacked there.

Your luggage and animals are inside- I'll be by tomorrow to look in on you.

See you then,

Mayor Thomas and Zack

I opened the door, and immediately heard some meows and barks.

"Hey, sorry about making you guys wait like that. It's been a rough trip, I know."

I opened Blazer's pet taxi and he bounded out, scratching at the door. I opened it and he raced out, obviously not enjoying having to hold it for so long. I chuckled a bit, then picked up the carrier with my cats inside.

"Come on, you guys. You get a barn all to yourselves."

I walked outside, passing Blazer who was on his way back inside. After closing the door behind him, I walked over to the barn, opened its big creaky doors, and walked in.

It hadn't changed a bit, not even in ten years. I looked over at the feed boxes, remembering how this place had been full of life before- cows mooing and chewing hay, sheep walking around, waiting to be sheared- now the only sign of life was an occasional mouse that skittered across the floor, raiding the grain that was still in the silo- even if it was rotting.

I knelt down and undid the latch on the cat carrier, and watched as all three cats bounded out in a single large furball. They stood up, looked around, and immediately started tearing around the barn.

"Crazy cats. Better they have somewhere open to run, than keeping them shut up."

I shook my head- cats were like that. I shut the door, letting them romp around in the floor.

After I returned to the house, I let Blazer back inside and let him warm up. Then I introduced him to his doghouse and left him there while I unpacked.

Books…. Laptop… my ten pairs of blue coveralls (Hey- I look good in blue.)…and my meager supplies.

'Let's see what kind of seeds I have….'

I walked over to a large chest that I remembered Grandpa using as his toolbox, and I hefted up the lid. I blew away the dust, and looked at the five tools resting there, undisturbed ever since the last time Grandpa had used them.

I hefted each in turn, their weight being somehow comforting. Like I wasn't in this alone anymore. Then I opened my box that had contained the things I had received. I lifted out the red bandana, and slowly tied it around my neck, just like Grandpa had. Then, my resolve strong and my mind set, I pulled out the ten packets of seeds.

Let's see… Carrots… Pink Cat Flowers… Turnips… Cucumbers… Moondrop Flowers…

Potatos… Onions… Tomatoes… Corn… and Grass.

I quickly sifted through the packets and sorted them into the chest.

If I remember, Grandpa used to grow onions, tomatoes, and corn when I came to visit every summer. That means those stay in here until Summer.

I placed the three packets in a small partition, and looked back at the other seeds.

Now for the flowers. Pink Cats used to grow like mad around here when I came- which means they're in Summer, too.

I placed the Pink Cat seeds with the other summer seeds and turned my attention to the other seeds.

Hmm… these seeds have a green square on them… I thought, placing the Turnip, Potato, Cucumber, Grass and Moondrop seeds in a pile.

…and this one has a brown square on it, I finished, moving the Carrot seeds to a small place in the tool chest.

Which means that these four are good to go in a few days.

I leaned back, hearing the pops and cracks as my back worked its kinks out. I set up the television (Hey- I may be roughing it out here, but the least I can do is watch the weather and the news.)

"…tomorrow's forecast. Clear blue skies from morning on, with plenty of sunshine throughout the day."

I turned it off and collapsed into the bed. Moving was hard work- it was even tougher to go to sleep when I realized I wasn't going to wake up at home with a pair of hot Pop-Tarts waiting for me.

This sacrifice better be worth it… I thought- and then I drifted off to sleep.

The First of Spring dawned clear and crisp, as the weather had forecast.

Already I love the place! I thought. The weather's actually CORRECT once in a while!

I hauled myself out of bed, fixing a quick something at the kitchenette. After I ate, a knock sounded at the door- I walked over and stepped outside. It was the Mayor, like I'd expected.

"Nice to see that you've settled in. Now that you're unpacked, I thought we might go over some of the finer details in the will- and a few things we added in as a village."

"Sounds good. Would you like to come in?"

"If you wish."

The two of us stepped back inside, sitting at the small table there. Mayor Thomas then pulled the same stack of papers as he had yesterday from his coat pocket.

"Well, as I said yesterday, the farm is yours, except for a few things."

"And they are?"

"We've talked this over as a village, and we don't think it's a good idea to just let you have the land to do what you wish with it- like sell out to a mini-mall or something. That's what happened over in Leaf City. Before long, there were malls and gas stations everywhere- and it's no wonder the traditions died out there. You see, we've got a history of sorts in the village. Everyone who comes here respects the traditions we have."

"I understand."

"So… we've come up with a deal of sorts. We're giving you three years here on the farm and as a town citizen. If you can fit in, and get this place back up like it was, or even better- we'll accept you as a citizen and the rightful owner of Icasea Farm."

Then his eyes turned downcast. "But… if you neglect the farm, the animals, or you can't get along with the people here, then… you'll be asked to leave the village and the land will be given to whoever can buy it."

"Yikes. Kind of a tall order, isn't it?"

"It may be, but for the grandson of Jonathan Icasea, I think it might be possible."

Then he drew another paper out of his overcoat.

"Among ourselves- from that I mean myself, Rick over at Chicken Lil's, Barley at Yodel Ranch, Gotz the carpenter, Saibara the blacksmith, Zack the buyer, and Pastor Carter as witness, we drew up a sheet on how much restoration you need to do to the farm so you can stay."

He handed it over to me, and I glanced at it, then set it down.

"I've got three years, you said?"

"Yes. If you can meet a majority of the requirements, then you'll be able to stay and live your life."

He got up and I followed.

"Well, think it over. I'll come back for your final answer tomorrow morning. You've got all day to think this over and fill the sheet out."

"I won't disappoint you, Mr. Mayor. I'll see you tomorrow."

With that, he left, and I sat down and proceeded to fill out the papers.

(Note: Voting starts next chapter- after I make up the farm list that he's filled out. Thanks to all, and keep reading and reviewing! Jayson)