Episode 7: Summer Blues

Tuesday, 14th Of Summer, 1976

As always, I ate breakfast and watched the weather news, so I'll skip the boring stuff and tell you that there will be no rain today, or tomorrow either, just another hot sunny day. And for once, I wished that there would be some rain, because the summer heat is wearing me out. Ah, whatever. I won't get the job done by moping around hoping it'll rain, my Dad would be very disappointed in me if he knew I did that. After turning off the television, I stood up, headed for the front door and stepped outside, inhaling the crisp, summertime air, said my good morning greeting to Koro and fed him kibbles and poured water into his water dish. Then I grabbed an empty water jug and went to the well and drew up more water because me and Koro both need it, since there hasn't been any rain at all this summer. As I pulled up the rope holding the bucket of water at the end, I could feel the hot sunlight cooking my skin a little, even though I was in my overalls and wearing a short sleeved shirt. It took me little more than a minute to pull up that heavy bucket of water. After I rested the bucket full of water on the stone wall edge of the well, making sure it won't spill back into the well or spill on the ground, then I poured the water into the empty water jug. With the job done, I took off my cap and fanned my face with it.

"Whew!" I sighed in relief.

I went to the tool shed, grabbed the water bucket and filled it with water at the closest pond and then walked over to the tomatoes and corn section and watered my growing tomatoes and corn.

"I know you guys are pretty hot out here..." I said to my crops as I watered them. "... But me, look at what I go through. It ain't any easier."

If anyone else were here in my ranch, they would think I've gone crazy, talking to my sprouting crops. Maybe being alone with no one to talk to in the ranch is getting to me. As I walked into the chicken house and fed the chickens, and put their eggs in the shipping box, I remembered what Mrs. Fortune told me, how being alone working in the ranch will get to me and make me feel depressed, and that having a wife is a cure for it. After pouring the last bit of chicken feed into the small cubicle, I sighed as I sat down and petted one of my chickens which I named Seed, because she loves chicken feed more than straws of grass.

"You think I'm lonely, Seed? I've been feeling a little depressed lately, and I don't know why."

Seed was busy pecking at the straws of grass on the ground and clucking, possibly looking for an ant or earthworm.

"Ah, forget it. I'll just head off into town." I said as I stood up and left the chicken barn, closing the door behind me.

The long walk to town didn't bother me as much as it used to, for some reason. Anyway, as soon as I reached town, I decided to pay a visit to Ellen's uncle. Meanwhile, inside the livestock shop, Ellen was talking to her uncle, I could hear their voices from the other side of the closed door.

"... We haven't had any rain lately, and my livestock is getting thirsty, and I don't have a well to draw water out of," I overheard her uncle complain.

Ellen scratched her head thoughtfully before replying. "Well... I could ask Mom to loan me a jug of water for free, but I doubt she would, she never sells anything for free."

Her uncle sighed in defeat and slumped down on the desk.

"This is not good... What'll I do now..." He muttered sadly.

That is when I came in, opening the door, causing the service bell to ring.

"Hello?" I called as I opened the door and stepped in.

"Tony! So nice to see you!" She ran up to me and hugged me.

"I...I'm fine, Ellen. Thank you." I said, feeling a little worried that Ellen would be disgusted to get some of my sweat on her clothing, but she didn't care at all.

"Hey, Tony, I'm so glad you're here! My uncle has a little dilemma here," She said.

"Really? What's the problem, sir?" I asked him.

"It ain't none of your concern, kid. Go back to your ranch and cut some weeds," Ellen's uncle grumbled.

I let out a frustrated sigh and turned around to leave, but Ellen stood in front of me.

"Tony, wait! listen to me! He didn't mean that. He's just under a lot of stress, that's all," she said with a pleading look in her eyes.

I crossed my arms, but didn't say anything, giving Ellen a mild scowl.

"See, the problem is that it hasn't rained at all lately, and my uncle is running out of water to give to the livestock he's selling out back, and he doesn't have enough money to buy not even one gallon of water," Ellen explained.

I turned around, facing Ellen's uncle.

"Is that true, sir? Is there anything I can do to help?" I asked with sympathy.

"Help?" He scoffed. "I'm beyond your help, kid. You're just a rookie farmer. What can you possibly do for me?" Ellen's uncle asked skeptically looking at me with an expression that I can't describe. He seemed upset and sad at the same time.

I couldn't take that kind of talk from him. I walked over to his desk with a serious, stern look on my face. "Listen, sir. I may be a rookie farmer, but I'm no slacker. I'm helping you out, and that's final! As a matter of fact, I'm gonna go back to my ranch and deliver some water for you." I headed for the door, then opened it, and stepped out.

Both Ellen and her uncle were shocked by my remarks and at the fact that I'll walk 2 miles to my ranch and two miles back to deliver some water.

I ran back to my ranch, ignoring the sun rays beating down on my face, making me sweat, but the long run back to my ranch made my legs itch and burn, and I hate that feeling. When I got back to the ranch, I immediately drew water from the well, pulling up the water filled bucket by rope and then pouring the water into one of my empty jugs. Then I drew more water and filled up the other two empty jugs. Then I put the three full jugs in the wheelbarrow and left the ranch as fast as my tired legs could take me. The sun rays beat down on me mercilessly, and the itching feeling in my legs grew more and more intense, making me pause for a few seconds and scratch my thighs. I should have collapsed from exhaustion, but my determination is what is probably giving me more energy. When I got back to the live stock owner's shop, I knocked on the door. Ellen opened it. There I was, face all sweaty, my shirt soaked with sweat on my chest and around my armpits, and my wheelbarrow holding three full jugs of water.

"Special delivery." I smiled.

Ellen gasped, and her uncle, who was still slumped over on the desk looked up to see me bring in the jugs of water. He couldn't believe it. He was speechless. I sat down next to him.

"You see, sir, you can count on my for just about anything," I told him.

His jaws were moving a little, but no words were coming out of his throat.

"Uncle? What do you say to Tony?" Ellen asked him.

Her uncle tried to say what he is trying to say, but it wasn't easy. "...I...It...Uh...I, uh... Tony... I, ah..." Ellen's uncle continually stammered.

I couldn't wait anymore, I knew what he is going to say anyway. Better not stress him out into saying it.

"You're welcome," I said with a warm smile.

Ellen's uncle slowly stood up, still feeling uneasy and surprised at my hospitality.

"I... you know... you didn't have to do that for me..." He slowly said.

I nodded. "I know. But I did it anyway, and I feel no regrets."

Ellen's uncle slowly cracked a smile of his own, and Ellen smiled too. That night, I came back home with my wheelbarrow in tow and wrote in my diary before going to bed.

Wednesday, 15th of Summer, 1976

As I watched the weather channel, the weather woman announced that it will still be sunny tomorrow here and Mineral Town and other towns and cities in Louisiana. I ate my bread roll and stepped outside. Finally, the tomatoes and cucumbers are ready to be picked! The tomato flowers have fully bloomed, holding tomatoes the same size as my fist, and the cucumber vines have grown in a tangled cluster, holding more than a dozen ripe cucumbers attached to the vines.

"All right!" I rubbed my hands together in excitement.

I headed on over to my garden and began picking all the ripe tomatoes and cucumbers and putting them in the shipping box. Too bad the corn isn't ready yet, but the corn stalks have grown taller than me, at least. I went in the chicken house and fed my chickens and stored their eggs in the shipping box. My newly hatched chick is getting along with the other two chickens very well. I left the chicken house and went to my tool shed to get the watering bucket and watered the tomato plants, cucumber vines and corn stalks. Then I went back in the tool shed to leave my watering pail and pick up my ax and wheelbarrow because I'm going to chop some wood. I'm preparing to get my house upgraded! I left the ranch and headed off into the forest near the mountain.

In the forest, I searched for some good tree stumps to cut. I never cut full trees because I don't want the tree to fall on me or anyone else, and also because there might be animals living in there. I found two good tree stumps to chop. I grabbed my ax and began chopping the trees stump with all my strength. When I cut one tree down, I found a fresh berry from a Power Tree!

"Cool! A Power Berry!" I smiled, recalling my Dad telling me about these hard to find berries. They are two times smaller than an apple, easy to eat in one bite too, and without hesitation, I ate it without washing the berry with some water first. I know I should have, but the thought didn't come to me at the moment.

As soon as I swallowed it, I felt strangely revitalized, as if that simple berry had charged me with some sort of fantastic energy, boosting my endurance and stamina! As I was chopping, the carpenter leader Luke was carrying firewood in his own wheelbarrow behind me. When he noticed me chopping wood, he called out to me.

"Tony, is that you?" I stopped chopping and turned around.

"Huh? Luke? Yeah, it's me," I replied.

Luke walked up to me and shook my hand.

"It's been a while. Good to see you, my friend," Luke smiled warmly.

"Same here," I nodded.

Luke was about to speak, but he paused for a moment and sneezed, but not before turning his head away from me.

"Bless you," I said to him.

"Thanks. By the way, did you find out what was making that noise in your ranch a few days ago?" Luke asked.

"Yeah."

"What was it?"

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you," I shook my head.

Luke chuckled. "Tony, seeing is believing, and I know for a fact that you're an honest person. Anyway, do have some free time on your hands?"

"Yeah, why?"

"I want to introduce you to my fellow carpenters. Come with me," Luke led me to his house tree.

I walked up the wooden stairs and Luke ahead of me opened the door and I entered after he did. In the house tree, I saw three men sitting down eating breakfast, and they are wearing the same clothing Luke wore, blue shirts with white stripes on the back and brown pants.

"Tony, I'd like to introduce you to my team. The one with the thick mustache is Ingo, the one with the sideburns is Emmet, and the one with the beard is Toby. Everyone, this is Tony, the new rancher i was telling you all about," Luke said.

"How are you all doing?" I asked them.

"Good, good," Emmet nodded, then ate a mouthful of scrambled eggs.

"We're doing just great," Toby nodded with a modest smile.

Ingo just nodded then bit off a piece of bacon.

"Are you hungry, Tony?" Luke asked me.

"No, no, I'm fine. All I need is coffee," I said.

"Here you go," Ingo poured some coffee from the coffee brewer cup into a regular cup and handed it to me.

"Sugar and cream, please?" I called.

Toby gave me a cup of sugar cubes and cream. For 5 hours, i was chatting and laughing with Luke, Emmet, Ingo, and Toby. and later I left and continued chopping wood through the day, then returned at 7:00 p.m. Before going to bed, I decided to go to Eve's bar for a while, and see who's visiting tonight.

In Eve's bar, not too many people were here this time. The only customers there I recognized are Ellen's drunk father Hank (He's a total regular, I can tell!), Mrs. Fortune, and Matthew. I haven't talked to Matt in months, so I decided to sit down next to him and chat.

"Huh...?" He looked at me as soon as I pulled up a chair next to him.

"Hey there. You don't remember me, do you, Matt? I'm Tony. We met a few months ago on the day when I first moved to the ranch," I said.

"Tony...? Oh yes! I remember you now! You're the kid who owns the ranch on the outskirts of town! How are things going, Tony?" He asked, shaking my hand.

"Ah, things are going great. I made a few good shipments these past few days. I'm planning on upgrading my house soon. But the thing I love most about farming is the money you earn from shipping stuff like tomatoes, cucumbers, potatoes, turnips, and things like that. I've never earned so much money in my life before," I said, sitting back in my chair dreamily.

Matthew took a sip of his wine and began chatting with me.

"I know money is important, but the most important thing is love, you know," he told me.

I sat up straight and looked at him. "Really?" was all I asked him.

He nodded. "Yeah! Love is so powerful it makes you feel like you're flying on air! It's the remedy for depression! It cures you physically and emotionally! LOVE!" He shouted so loud, the bartender, Eve, and Mrs. Fortune and all the other customers (except Hank) were looking at both of us.

Silence... Then everybody minded their business again. When nobody was looking at us anymore, Matt started talking to me again.

"Don't you think so?" He asked me.

"Oh yes. Love is good. Very good," I nodded excessively.

"I'm glad you agree with me. Because that tells me you have a girlfriend," Matt smiled.

I swallowed hard. Busted! Caught me hook line and sinker! I forced a smile.

"Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! Okay, Matt. You got me," I chuckled nervously, holding my hands up like a crook held at gunpoint by a cop.

"Hey, its nothing to be ashamed of," Matt said, taking another sip of his wine.

"How would you know?" I asked.

"Because I can relate to you."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I was once shy about my feelings towards a girl, especially when it comes to getting married. And now, because of my fears holding me back, I missed my chance to be with a girl that I really liked for the rest of my life... Listen, Tony. There's nothing wrong about revealing your feelings to a girl you like. If romance is against the law, which it isn't, then I don't blame you for being nervous. Now I'm not going to pry into your personal business, but all I want to tell you is this: Don't suppress your feelings. It just makes you feel sick in your heart and soul, and you'll regret it, that's all," Matt said.

"I'm not hiding my feelings. As a matter of fact, I'm doing great with the girl I like," I said with confidence and a smug smile.

Matt smiled back. "Great! Well, I won't keep you anymore. You'll need your rest."

"You're right. See ya, Matt. Take care."

"You too, Tony. And good luck in life. Hey. Remember what I said?"

I stopped to answer him as I opened the door. "Love is more important than money," I said.

Matt clapped his hands together and nodded in approval. "That's right!" He cheered.

Then I left back to my ranch.

Thursday, 16th of Summer, 1976

"...Another sunny day for the residents of Neighbor Town. This summer is a very rough summer for everyone in or near Neighbor Town, but as for Mineral Town and Forget-Me-Not Valley, they'll have heavy rainfall starting tonight at midnight. And in other news..." The weather woman on T.V. said.

"Gnrrrgh..." I groaned in depression.

I am really missing the rain fall. But the season I'm looking forward to is winter. Last year, in the winter, weeks before my Dad sent me to this ranch, I made seven snow angels on the ground in our front yard. Boy, I miss those days. To feel the soft powdery snow on me... Man, I hope this year's winter will be just as fun. But its a long way away. Oh well, better get ready to go to work. As soon as I came outside, I fed Koro, gave him water, then started to take care of my crops. I watered the tomato plants and corn stalks, then I fed my chickens and put their eggs in the shipping box. I got nothing else to do, so I decided to go to either Neighbor Town, or explore the forest. I decided to go to the forest.

As I walked past tree after tree, following the dirt path, I heard various kinds of birds chirping, and other animal noises. I passed by Luke's house, and I eventually met Toby who was chopping a tree.

"Hey, Toby!" I waved hi.

"Tony! What brings you out here in this lovely place?" Toby called back to me.

"Nothing. I already watered my crops and fed my chickens so I decided to pay this place a visit," I said.

"Oh, I see. Well, listen, Tony. If you came to sight-see, I know a good place where you can do plenty of that," Toby nodded.

"Really? Where?" I asked with curiosity.

"Follow this trail up the mountain. At the top, well... I won't spoil the surprise," Toby said.

"Okay, got it. Thanks, Toby," I said and left.

Following Toby's instructions, I followed the dirt road up the mountain in the forest. A minute later, I spotted a cave!

"Huh? I never noticed that here. I wonder what's inside..." I muttered to myself curiously.

With caution, I entered the cave. Inside, there is nothing but rocks, but the tunnels lead deeper into the cave. I followed the tunnel. It curved to the right, then the narrow tunnel slowly descended 40 feet down. I took my time walking. I'm not sure if there is a bear in here or not, but I didn't hear anything at all. just the rushing wind, dripping water, and the sound of my shoes stepping on the dry soil.

"Wow... I wonder where this leads...?" I wondered to myself as the tunnel then branched off to the right once more.

This is like exploring a dungeon. Kinda like playing Dungeons & Dragons with my friends back at school a few years ago. If I had my ax with me, I could act like I'm a sword-wielding hero on an adventure like my dwarf character I made for D&D! but why would I need to bring my ax with me? I'm sure there's nothing dangerous here. As I moved further, the width and length of the tunnel grew bigger and bigger the further I moved forward. I looked to my right, and I noticed up on the top of this big steep platform is a berry from a Power Tree!

"Oh yes! My lucky break!" I smiled.

I tried to climb up the slope to get to the berry, but I slid back down.

"Aw man!" I moaned.

I tried again, but to no avail. The slope is too steep for me to climb on. I decided to forget about it and continue exploring the cave. I eventually reached a dead end in a room where clumps of grass are stored.

"Well, I guess that's it for me," I sighed and turned around to leave the cave.

Back outside, I began to follow the trail once more up to the mountain until I found a signpost that had "To the top" written on it.

"I guess I'm almost there," I said.

I followed the trail up until I found myself on a huge platform which is protruding high on the hill, about 160 feet high, and at the edge, I caught a great bird's eye view of the entire forest and the mountains far into the distance.

"Wow...!" I gasped.

I looked up and saw birds flying overhead in a V shape pattern, chirping and squawking.

"This is the greatest view I've ever seen in my life!" I smiled, looking down at the vast green trees down below and beyond my view.

I should take Ellen here sometime. I hung out here for a while until evening, then I returned home.

Saturday, 18th Of Summer

Not too much happened today. I picked all my tomatoes and corn and put them in the shipping box, fed my chickens and prepared their eggs to be shipped, then went to the forest to ask Luke to upgrade my house, but the door to his house tree is locked.

"Aww...!" I moaned.

I guess I have to wait until tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow.

Monday, 20th Of Summer

I ate breakfast and came outside without watching the news because I know that it'll be sunny tomorrow as well.

"Sunny days... Sunny days... Sunny days... Aaarrgh! I can't take anymore of this! I want at least one day of rain, please!" I cried out in frustration.

Koro looked at me as if I went insane. He started whining out of concern.

"I'm fine. I just needed to let my anger out. I'm fine." I said, patting Koro on his head.

Koro and I stepped outside into the blistering heat. I think its like 97 degrees out here or a little higher than that. Anyway, I went to the tool shed, grabbed my watering can and watered the tomato plants and corn stalks, then I went to the chicken house and... well, you know my routine by now. As soon as I left the chicken house, I suddenly remembered something. I remembered that on the first day of the summer, Ann's Dad, Michael, visited and told me that he's making some kind of machine that will be on sale at his shop today.

"Of course! I wonder what it is?" I wondered.

Well, I'll never find out sitting here and thinking about it. I rushed on over to Neighbor Town as quick as my legs can take me.

When I got to town, I passed by the livestock owner's shop, and I met up with Ellen, who is just walking around, looking like she's in deep thought over something.

"Hi, Ellen," I said.

"Tony! I didn't here you coming!" Ellen said in surprise.

She gave me a smooch on the cheek. Then I smooched her cheek in return.

"So, what are you doing out here in this heat?" I asked her.

"Nothing. i was just thinking about P-Chan. I wonder if she's okay?" Ellen replied, looking up at the vast blue sky.

"Oh, she'll be fine. She'll be back someday. Just you wait and see," I said, putting my arm around her neck... And looking around to make sure no one was watching.

We were alone in this part of town, fortunately. Everyone else is indoors, luckily.

"Thank you, Tony. Your comfort means a lot to me." She gave me another kiss.

If this keeps up, I'll faint not just from the heat from the sun, but also from my rising body heat!

"I'll see you later, Ellen. I gotta go see Ann and her father," I said.

"Okay. I'll be at my mom's grocery shop. Come and see me again if you have time," Ellen called as I headed to Ann's house and shop.

"Okay!" I replied back to Ellen, then opened the door and entered. Inside, in the middle of the red and white colored checker patterned rug in the room, Ann was working on some kind of strange machine, banging on it with a hammer, and twisting bolts with her screwdriver. Her father, as usual was counting profits behind the cash register at the northwest corner of the room.

"Hey, Ann. Whatcha working on?" I asked.

"I can't tell you. It's a surprise," Ann replied, totally focused on her machine and not looking at me.

"Well, at least give me a hint," I said, then pulled out a rice ball and ate it with one bite.

Ann looked up at me and raised an eyebrow. "It'll be showcased at the shop one of these days, so please, try it out," she said.

I thought it over a bit. "Hum..." Was all I said.

Ann gave me a smile. "Trust me," was all she said.

I am worried though. Ann is not as experienced as her Dad, I can tell. What if that thing blows up in my face? I then walked up to Ann's dad, who was behind the desk. he just finished counting his profits and stored them in the cash register.

"Welcome, Tony," he greeted me, still counting the cash in his hands.

"Hello. How are you doing, sir?" I replied.

"I'm good. Hey. Did you see my new invention that I was telling you about a few days ago?" He asked me.

"No. Where is it?" I asked.

"It's over there on the table near the brush and milking funnel," he pointed over at the counter at the left corner of the room.

I walked on over to the table were items were being sold. The only items on sale is a milking funnel, an object used to extract milk from a cow, a brush to brush cows, and this strange yellow machine. The design of it resembles helicopter blades, with four "arms" which has small holes in the bottom, possibly used to sprinkle water. I picked up the machine. I examined the bottom. The bottom part resembled a parasol.

"Do you know what that is, Tony?"

"No."

"Its a water sprinkler."

I gasped. "Really?"

"Yes! If you buy it, you can forget about using your watering can, because this baby is better! Here's how you use it. You put it over your head like an umbrella, grip the handle and twist it, and the four arms above will spin around clockwise, sprinkling water all around you in a seven feet radius. The dome shaped part of the machine is to protect you from getting wet. Cool, huh?"

"Yeah, very cool. How much is it?" I asked.

"About $2000 if you trade in your watering can," Ann's father said.

My eyes nearly bugged out. "$2000?! Whoa-whoa-whoa! I'm trying to save money to upgrade my house. Can it wait?" I asked him.

He nodded. "Sure. I made that sprinkler only for you to use, so you got plenty of time to buy it."

"Thanks," I smiled.

"Oh... and uh, Tony, can I talk to you for a second?" Ann's father whispered to me.

I was curious, so I walked up to the desk and leaned towards him so he can whisper into one of my ears.

"No, no, no. Come behind the desk with me. I don't want Ann to hear this," he whispered as quietly as he could.

I joined with him behind the desk. I looked over at Ann who was still doing repairs and modifications on her machine.

"What's going on?" I asked.

"Nothing... It's just that... I wonder if my daughter Ann can get married living like that," he whispered to me.

"Living like what? making and repairing machines?" I whispered back.

Ann's dad nodded.

"Most men are intimidated by women who do men's jobs," Ann's dad said.

I slowly nodded.

"True... True.. You know what my Dad always told me?"

"What's that?"

I cleared my throat first before replying. "A few summers back, my Dad was telling me everything he knew about girls because I was at the age where I hit puberty. He told me that girls come in many different kinds of shapes, sizes and flavors, which means their looks and personalities are all different or similar with minor differences. Its not about finding a girl who is cuter or hotter than the rest, it's about finding the one that compliments you and appeals to you. So what I'm saying is there is someone out there for Ann, whether that seems obvious or not. Don't be afraid of your daughter's personality, it is what makes her unique," I whispered to him.

He rubbed is chin in thought, looking up at the spinning fan above his head.

"You know... I think you're right. Thank you, Tony. You've really given me a new outlook on life," Ann's dad shook my hand, and he wasn't whispering anymore either.

"You're welcome... I didn't get your name before, did I...?"

"Call me Michael."

"Okay, Michael. I'll see you later!" I said and left for the door.

"Come visit again!" Michael waved bye.

"Of course I will!" I replied and shut the door behind me.

Then I went to Nina and Liz's flower shop to buy two bags of grass seeds. By the time i got back to the ranch, night fell and I tilled new ground with my garden hoe to plant the grass seeds in. I planned on making a huge patch of grass around the pond near my tool shed. Then I hit my bed and wrote in my diary about today's events before falling asleep.

Tuesday, 21st Of Summer

I was watching T.V. and eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and 30 minutes later I switched to the weather forecast channel, and the weatherwoman said that it'll be another scorching sunny day tomorrow.

"Ungh!"

I couldn't believe it! But at least we had no hurricanes lately. Those things are bad news for farmers, I hear. I stepped outside. Finally, the tomatoes and corn are ready to be picked again! Without hesitation, I picked all the tomatoes and put them in the shipping container, and then picked all the corn from their stalks and put them in the shipping container as well.

Let the money roll in! I thought to myself and smiled. Then I decided to check on my three chickens. The third one that hatched a few days ago is now a full grown chicken. Now I get three eggs to ship instead of two!

"Thanks, guys. You make my life as a farmer worthwhile," I said to my chickens after putting their eggs in the shipping box.

All I got in reply are a few clucks. I don't understand Chicken, but I think they said "You're welcome, Tony." Then after I poured more chicken feed into their cubicles, I headed on over to the mountainside forest.

In the forest, I decided to pay Luke a visit. I think I have plenty of money to hire him and his boys to enlarge my house. I walked up to his house tree and knocked on the door.

"Who is it?" It was Luke's voice from the other side.

"It's Tony. Can I come in?"

"Sure. The door's unlocked," Luke replied.

I twisted the doorknob and entered. There was Luke, sitting by himself, eating his pancakes.

"Well well. If it isn't my favorite rancher. How are you, son?" He asked, extending his right hand out for a handshake.

"I'm fine, how about you?" I asked, giving him a handshake.

"Me? I'm doing great. Emmet, Ingo and Toby are out fishing at Warren's pond," Luke said.

"Really? Have they caught anything before?" I asked.

"Sure. An old coffee can, and a leather boot," Luke said sarcastically.

I felt the urge to slap myself. "Uh, Luke, I came to ask you a favor."

"A favor?"

"Yeah. See, I want my house to be upgraded now." I said.

"Now? You mean right now?" Luke asked.

"If that's no problem, sure," I replied trying not to give Luke the impression that i'm trying to rush him.

"Can it wait for tomorrow. Tomorrow, I'll come by your house to verify if you want your house enlarged. just be sure to have the money ready, alright? and be sure you got enough wood in your wood shed," Luke advised me.

"I will. Thanks," I said and left.

Then I went to Neighbor town, chatted with Nina and her mom for a while, then with the mayor and his wife, and then I hung out with Ellen for a while. I helped her mop the floor in the grocery shop. Her mom rewarded me with a strawberry shortcake.

Mmm, it was so good! Then by the time I got back home, it is 6:00 p.m. and Derek came by to pick up my stuff.

"So, this is it?" He asked.

"Yep." I replied.

"I'll send $2650 to you tomorrow, okay. Keep up the good work, Tony. If anything, I bet your grandfather is very proud of you," Derek said.

"Ahh, thanks for the compliment," I said.

Derek threw the shipment in his pickup truck, then drove off. I walked into my house, brought in Koro and we watched T.V. At 9:00 p.m., I fell asleep, but not before writing in my diary about what happened today.