Author's Note: I wrote this while I was hyped up on Nyquil... So apologies. I'm fighting falling asleep as I type this... So, while it's a short chapter... I just hope it's coherent.
Theme Song: Lean on Me - Bill Withers
Pam's birthday was tomorrow. The farmer folded her arms as she looked at the calendar, dumbfounded as to what she could possibly gift to the woman. She didn't know Pam very well, but maybe she could find Penny and ask. Further down on the calendar, she could also see that Shane's birthday was happening soon. That would be a much easier gift to procure…
Unfortunately, the request Shane had put on the board was not so easily filled. He was asking if anyone had cauliflower, and hers hadn't finished growing yet. It would probably really win points with him if she could find one, but the timing wasn't quite right. Besides, she needed some of that cauliflower for the Community Center.
She had picked some beans that were ready to harvest earlier that morning. The junimos' lists were so long, she had to celebrate anytime she was able to fill one of their requests. She couldn't prove it, but part of her wanted to believe the more items she found, the more she started to remember about her past.
She turned to start heading up to the Community Center, only to come face to face with the grumpy stock boy himself, headed to work. She hadn't even processed it was him before he put a hand up in her face as he walked by and said, "No, I don't have time to chat with you."
The farmer put her hands on her hips, irritation in her voice, "Have you ever thought that maybe I don't have the time to talk to you?"
"I don't really have time to think about you, Farmer," he sassed back, stopping for a moment to look over his shoulder. "I've got better things to do."
"Really?"
"Yeah, really."
"Because it seems like you spend an awful lot of time slinging insults at me for no reason," she then motioned him forward with her hand. "Keep walking, Stock Boy, and stop wasting my precious farming time with your undeserved shade and endless misery."
"Only if you cease your endless unwanted gifts and irritatingly hopeful attitude." His words were biting, but his tone was odd. It seemed almost… friendly? Teasing?
"Yeah," she smirked, folding her arms. "That's not happening. So stand there gawking as long as you want. You're only making yourself late for work."
He muttered something under his breath before facing forward once more and walking towards Joja Mart.
"I hope that was a concession to my victory!" she called after him. Shane put a hand up to acknowledge her, but nothing more.
She headed for the beach next. She was hoping to find something for the fishing bundle, but upon arriving, she immediately noticed the pile of wood still sitting next to Elliott's shack. She hadn't finished her bridge… She'd already taken care of the crops. She couldn't buy parsnips because it was a Wednesday and Pierre's was closed… Shane would give her crap if she showed up at Joja Mart after their earlier interaction… She really had nothing better to do.
She spent the whole day chopping trees. When she was about to run out of energy, she took a break, ate a field snack, and finished her task. She was carrying the wood back to the beach when she could see Sam coming down the street towards her.
"Wow! That's a lot of wood!" Sam stopped, his eyebrows raised.
"Yeah, I'm trying to build a bridge over to the other side of the beach," she explained, grunting as she shifted her load. "Have you ever been over there?"
"A long time ago," Sam nodded with enthusiasm. "The bridge has been out for years, but there are some tidal pools over on the other side. You can find coral and all sorts of fun stuff over there!" He paused for a moment, as if considering something. "Do you need some help?"
The farmer laughed, "No, I can do it myself…"
Sam looked deflated.
"I don't need help, but I would love some help, if you're offering," she said quickly. "I just… don't want you to feel obligated."
"Never!"
They passed Vincent, Jas, and Penny as they headed towards the bridge leading out of town. Penny waved shyly at Sam before herding the kids towards home. Elliott was standing on the bridge, as he had the day before. He gave a small wave and a questioning look as they passed.
"Putting the wood I dumped in your front yard to use," the farmer explained. "Sam's helping me carry things."
"Oh. I see. Do you require more assistance?"
"We got it," Sam grunted, his arms just as full as the farmer's. "I know you don't really like breaking a sweat."
"Oh?" Elliott's eyes filled with a humorous spark. "In that case, shouldn't she have asked Alex for help?"
"I'm just as capable as Alex!" Sam protested.
"We tell ourselves many things," Elliott chuckled. "But that doesn't make them true."
"Stop teasing him, Elliott," the farmer laughed. "If you tear his ego down too much, he won't have the strength to help me with the bridge."
"My ego is not that fragile!" Sam called out, walking ahead with his nose in the air. "I could build this bridge, single handedly, by myself!"
The farmer raised her eyebrows at Elliott, who shook his head, amused.
"I better go before he hurts himself…"
"Take care," Elliott bid her farewell.
Once they had dumped the wood off, the farmer looked at the remains of the previous bridge, then over at Sam. Her heart fell when she saw that he looked bothered, and suddenly she felt terrible for poking fun at him with Elliott.
"Hey, you know we were just teasing, right?"
"Yeah, it's fine…" Sam turned and gave her a smile, but it didn't reach his eyes.
"I really appreciate your help!" she tried to cheer him again. "It'll make the work go faster! Can you hand me some of that wood?"
"Can I ask you a question?" he asked suddenly, handing a plank to her.
"Sure?"
"Have you ever… Considered what might happen if you stay in Stardew Valley?"
"How do you mean?"
"I mean…" Sam looked down at the sand as the farmer hammered away at the wood. "What if- and I don't want to sound like I think this is going to happen… But what if no one comes looking for you?"
The farmer stopped working for a minute, staring ahead as he asked the question that had plagued her for many sleepless nights.
"I'm remembering more about myself by the day, so I guess if no one comes for me, I'll eventually remember on my own."
"What if you don't?"
"I… Hadn't thought about it," she admitted.
"Would you stay here?" he pressed.
"I don't know. I always understood my arrangement with Mayor Lewis to be… temporary," she started knocking nails into the wood again. "But I suppose I'd have to revisit the issue if it comes to that."
"Do you want to stay? Or… Would you want to stay?"
The farmer was quiet, and for a long time, all that could be heard was the sound of her hammer hitting the nails against the wood. Sam didn't ask the question again, nor did he press for an answer. He just waited patiently for her to sort her thoughts.
"It's nice here," she finally spoke. "But I don't know what I would do."
"I know a few people who would be sad to see you leave," he handed her another piece of wood as she held her hand out for it.
"Oh? Who?"
"Well… George doesn't like many people. But he seems to like you! And Sebastian, of course. I think he's… He likes having you around," Sam looked at her funny, as if he was waiting for her to say or do something specific.
"I'm sure he's just being nice," she assured Sam, but didn't meet his gaze. "I mean, he's invested in me surviving, since he kind of saved my life. But it almost seems like you're implying something…"
"What about Harvey? He's certainly become more social since you showed up."
"Dr. Harvey is doing his job," the farmer finally met Sam's gaze. "Why are you asking all these questions? It almost sounds like you think I ought to… Date someone?"
Sam's face turned bright red, and he started to stammer as he hurried to explain, "N-no! You've just started to make friends in town, myself included and…" he took a deep breath. "I can't speak for the others, but I would be sad if you left suddenly, without a goodbye."
"If I leave, I'll definitely say good-bye," she assured him. "No need to be upset."
"Well… I'd mostly be upset because I didn't have a chance to really hang out with you or get to know you," he admitted.
"We're hanging out now," she said with a smile. "And I really do appreciate your help. This is going much faster because of it."
"Of course," he mustered a smile as well. "I guess the only way we're going to get to hang out is if there's work involved, huh? You're always very busy…"
"Not necessarily," she sat back, overlooking her handiwork. "I don't really consider this work. This is more of… a hobby. Giving back to the town as a thank you for letting me stay on the farm. Next time, let's do something you enjoy, okay?"
"Alright," Sam smiled. "I'll plan on it. And… Just so you know, even though I complain about work and chores… You can always count on me to help."
"Noted," The farmer stood and offered her hand out. "Want to take a trip to the other side with me?"
Sam took it after only a moment's hesitation, and together, they walked over the wooden planks to the previously hidden half of the beach.
There was coral, as Sam had promised. The farmer also found a clam, which she needed for one of the bundles in the Community Center. She headed straight there after walking Sam home and placed it in front of the broken fish tank.
"I know Sam seems to want me to stay and not remember anything about myself," she whispered under her breath. "But I wouldn't mind a few more memories back, please. Just a few…"
She came across Elliott again on her way home. He was excited that she'd been able to finish the bridge, and assured her that he would use it often and that her work was much appreciated. It had been a long day, and so once she had bid him a farewell, she headed straight home and retired to bed early.
