NEW LEAF

PART 8: WHITNEY

Weeks and weeks have passed and I have not taken another trip to the Dream Suite. I could not say right now what exactly has demotivated me from going back, but it may be just a combination of fear and plain forgetfulness. Luna had reopened the Suite, so maybe the closing wasn't anything to get too riled up about.

I tried hard not to get riled up about things. I have responsibility as the mayor of this town to keep it a habitable and peaceful place, and I did not want the stress of my personal errands to diminish my energy. Summer has eventually faded away as the weeks trailed by. The first snow came just yesterday after the campsite has finally finished being constructed.

The campsite is my final piece of the queue for public works projects—I'm finally done…for now. There could be a lot of other things I can add to the town, but I didn't think on it too much. Quietown is really shaping up to become something great—a town that I would be proud to call my own. With a café, police station, and the campsite, I am not sure what other structures I could come up with; there are plenty of others on Main Street. Most of the dream towns I visited did not have much variation in structures. If I kept at it, I could probably figure out more things to add to the list.

I was able to fund all these different projects from visiting an interesting island not far from the shores of Quietown's beaches. A sailor turtle that went by the name of Kapp'n said he noticed the prolific growth of the town and offered up his services to transport to the island, where the rest of his family lived. On this island were the most astounding variations of insects and sea life I've seen yet. I managed to find insects that offered a hefty selling price. My economic standing grew immensely since visiting the island, and it hasn't stopped. With the extra money, I spent it on increasing the vegetation in Quietown as well as expanding my own home.

Life is smooth-sailing. That is how it should be in my town. I find myself growing more and more distant from all the troubling things I've seen. I've gotten to know my villagers more and spend a lot more time with them. At the end of January, we actually got a new visitor. I haven't actually gone to speak with her personally, but when I saw her at a glimpse, she looked mysterious, and somehow fascinated me.

The visitor is a white wolf. I was told by Isabelle that her name is Whitney and that she has almost immediately expressed interest in moving in, claiming the last place she stayed in was 'not suited for her.' It sounded very snooty, but I was sure the wolf would enjoy it here.

A day passes since Whitney has set up camp. It is the afternoon and her tent is still up. I decide it would be as good a time as any to get to know her and welcome her, finally. I get done with a bit of paperwork and take my leave from town hall. I head over to the tent and see that the entrance flap is zipped open a bit. I take a quick peek in and don't see the wolf anywhere inside. I peek in more closely in case she was huddled up in a corner—nope.

I pace away from the tent and look around. In the distance nearby the cliff overlooking the beach, I see her—in her flower-patterned purple knit and brilliant white fur, Whitney sits on the blue bench off the edge of the cliff, occupied by a small book in her grasp. I walk up to the bench, which is also surrounded by a plethora of flora, giving the whole scene an almost mystical feeling. I feel like I'm walking into a sappy romance novel.

Whitney notices me approaching and turns her head to view me. She blinks a couple times and then smiles with a small acknowledging nod. I breathe out and extend my arm for a handshake.

ME: Hello. Whitney, am I right?

She nods and smiles again, exchanging my handshake.

WHITNEY: You're correct. Are you Mayor Mark?

She closes her book and sets it aside.

ME: That's me. I just wanted to welcome you Quietown. I'm sure you'll find it very comfortable. I'm sorry I didn't get to meet you when you set up camp.

Whitney shakes her head.

WHITNEY: Don't worry about it, Ma- ahem. You don't mind if I just call you Mark, right?

ME: Not at all!

WHITNEY: Good, good.

She makes a toothy grin, chuckling at herself.

WHITNEY: It's good to meet you, anyhow. I'm already planning on moving in. I just have to get things set up in Main Street. You know how it is.

I nod, almost transfixed by the smoothness of her voice. Everything about her is smooth. There is something just so captivating about her. I gesture toward the bench with a flick of my head.

ME: Do you mind if I join you?

Whitney seems taken aback at first, but then nods, scooting over for me.

We get to know each other. Whitney has come from another town which has apparently been 'abandoned' by its mayor for some time. I cringe at the thought of doing something like that. I would never forgive myself unless it involved some sort of emergency. Whitney informs me that the town was not being tended to—weeds were growing everywhere and it never went through evolution of any sort.

WHITNEY: I'm glad I left when I did. It looked like things were just going to get worse.

Her little story about the town got under my skin. It motivated me even more to pay special care to Quietown. Whitney and I wound up talking for quite a while. We decided to continue our conversation over at the café.

The head of the café, Brewster, is a real piece of work. With grace and finesse, he offers us coffee unlike anything I've ever tasted. His passion glowed and wafted from the cups almost, feeling amazing in the midst of the café's warmth, huddled in the middle of winter's embrace.

Whitney and I continue to talk, having a great time. It seems like she is the one who has all the stories to tell. It makes me reflect on my own life. I do have much to tell, but they aren't exactly things I want to share, even if I've already gotten comfortable with her. I'm pleased with how quickly we've befriended each other.

I almost don't even hear the entrance open, the bells jingling as a small breeze whistled from the outside. I turn my head to see that it's Pecan. She walks up to Whitney and me, fixating her eyes on me.

PECAN: Ah! Mayor! I was looking for you.

Pecan gazes over at Whitney and suddenly looks startled. Her speech becomes a little quieter and she seems more hesitant.

PECAN: I'm sorry. Did I interrupt?

Both Whitney and I shake our heads while looking at each other in mutual agreement.

ME: No, not at all. What do you need, Pecan?

PECAN: Ummm, uhhhh…

She looks around nervously.

PECAN: You know what? I'll tell you later, alright? I'll send you a letter maybe. See you around!

The squirrel takes her leave casually, and I just look back at Whitney in confusion. We eventually brush it off and continue our warm little chat.

Later in the evening we finally decide it's about time to go our separate ways and take a load off for the night. Whitney and I stand outside of the town hall.

WHITNEY: Thanks for that. It was fun.

ME: Hm?

WHITNEY: The time we had in the café, I mean. I can already tell I'll like it here. Hey, send me a letter sometime soon, huh? I should have my house ready by the end of this week.

I pause for a moment and then nod with a stupid grin.

ME: No problem.

With that, she gives a responding nod and a cute wink as she walks away. I stare at her dreamily, noticing that specks of white are beginning to fall from above. The evening is pleasingly still. I breathe in the brisk air and make my way back into the town hall to finish my work.

I wanted every day to be this way.