You're Not Always Alone for the Holidays

(Author's note: Here is the 5th installment, staring the

favorite chatterbox of Harvest Moon.)

Manna's view

Well it is that time of the year again. Starry Night is here, and Aja and Duke have still not made peace with one another. They are alike in some ways, stubborn and refusing to meet half-way on making amends. The only things that Aja andI have in common is that we are beautiful and intelligent. I really want my daughter to come home. I think that new young man in town is single. What's his name? I think it's Cliff. He seems like a nice young man that Aja would love to date.

"Manna, when is dinner going to be done? "

"It's just about done. I wish you hadn't started drink early. The way you are going, we will be out of stock for the shop. While some people will buy the grape juice, others will want to have wine. "

"Hey, it's hard work. Move the crates around, checking the stock to see what is ready to sell, getting the labels on the bottles, and pressing the grapes that still need to be squashed. "

"Still do you have to gulp down the wine at that fast rate? You will not have room for dinner. "

"Fine, fine. I'll set the table. Will that make you happy? "

"Yes. "

I shook my head. Why does he get so mad quickly? I care for him, doesn't he see that? I really want Aja here to help me. A family needs to together at holidays. Why she left to go to that college far away I'll most likely never know. She could have gone to the one that is just on the other side of the ferry route to Mineral Town.

"The table is set. Hey, are you all right? You look like you are thinking about something. "

"Yes. I wish that you and Aja will make peace with one another. "

"Well college is a waste of money. I never went to it. You didn't either. So why should she? "

"She wants to see the world. You can't see it well from books, magazines, and television. Besides, she did earn that scholarship, so it is not costing us that much. "

"Well she should hurry up, and come back home to help run the winery. "

I have to sigh. Aja, Duke, please make peace with one another. I'd like us to be a family again.