I slept through the night swimmingly, my newfound weapon in its own mounting bracket on the walls.
Though, as the sun rose from the hills, I heard a firm knock on the door. Sheepishly, I rose from my bed and headed over, rubbing my eye but, as I opened it, not even in my dozy state could keep me from realising who was there.
"…M…Ma? Mama?" I gasped.
"Morning, son." She smiled.
I couldn't believe it, she came all this way… she even changed too; Back in her usual self before her alcoholism took over. We sat down by the table as I brewed her a cup of tea.
"Why did you come here, Ma?" I asked in a surprised manner.
"Is there nothing wrong with visiting my son, dear? I was in Aunt Peggy's house and I heard that you've been making a name for yourself in Pelican Town; So, I came over to visit.
Then, when I saw all this… I just started to cry. Only a lil bit but honestly, you've done so well here." She explained.
The compliments did make me blemish slightly as I rubbed the back of my neck. "Your pa would be so proud. To see you growing a new farm from the ruins of the old one."
"I… I guess he did… by the way, did you hear about the news on Pa?" I asked.
"I did, I'm glad we're going to find some closure on what happened but don't think too much about it. We're not sure whether or not, we'll find justice. Just going to take some time.
Though I'd focus on your farmwork, honey. Living your own life is more important than thinking about Pa. Just look at what you've achieved so far, it would've been pointless if you lost all faith all of a sudden." She said and walks over to stroke my cheek gently.
"You'll always be my lil bird, whose all grown up after he left the nest. My sweet Flying Farmer." She hummed and kissed me on the cheek. "I'll be heading up to see Robin, just you take good care now… and mind what I said." She adds before walking to the door, just as I shot up.
"And Ma."
"Yes, dear."
"Don't go drinking ever again. I wouldn't bear losing you to that… not in a million years!" I exclaimed.
"It nearly took me once… but, after seeing you prosper, I promise never to drown myself in my sorrow ever again.
Goodbye, dear." She answered before closing the door.
I twiddled my thumbs, trying to collect all what happened in the last half-hour. To have my own mother visit me at this time was a real shocker. She was right though… I gotta stop look into the past and focus on what's ahead of me; Especially for the success of the farm.
As I left the house to prepare to do my daily crop-dust, she was standing outside, gazing at Betty.
"So, you did manage to get her here." She comments.
"I thought you were going up to see Robin." I informed.
"Nono, she can wait a little. So, you got her all built and all too. How did she fare?" She asked me as I pulled her onto the airstrip.
"She flew beautifully, Ma. She did the job just as well as any modern cropduster." I answered with a smile.
"I'm glad ya did. The hangar fees in the airport are so damn expensive. It's about time she was out of there. We could barely afford them on top of the other living expenses so be grateful for yer uncles and aunts to stick their necks out for ya." She hummed.
"Well, carry my thanks to them. She's safely here at home with me."
"I would honestly would want to fly with you but can I just watch you? Once yer airborne, I'll go up to see Robin." She asked me and, without hesitation, I agreed; Clambering inside and strapping myself in. She, rather helpfully, jump starts the engine as I got my gear on and watched as I soared into the sky before doing my routine pass-overs, spraying the crops with water and fertiliser, making sure the yield was on its way towards making it to Gus and Pierre. Once everything was done, I landed back on the airstrip, and lifted my goggles.
"You were amazing! I'm surprised you took all what you could learn from yer Pa." She commended me as I smiled proudly before fixing my scarf.
"Yea, I went to flight school to finish me training. I didn't have to do much in terms of the practicality stuff since my Pa covered most of it. Just some of the exams and papers and that was it basically." I spoke.
"Glad ya did. Well, I better go see her now. It's been great to see you flying in your Pa's grace. It was if I was seeing him up there… but you did so well, I'm proud of ya, dear.
Now, I'll see you again someday. It's been great catchin' up."
At last, she finally heads up the mountains, leaving me in sombre peace in the seat of Betty.
"My Pa will be so proud of us, Betty." I reminisced when I saw Abigail visit this time, with her warm smile as she approached.
"Hey Robbie, dear. Who was that woman, I passed? She looked out of town." She asked.
"That was my Ma… she came to visit me out of the blue." I chuckled.
"Talk about a family union." She hummed and clambered up onto one of the wings to my height, just so she could kiss me on the cheek.
"She sounds like a nice person. I wish my dad was like her; Supportive, respecting, understanding… but he's just so… backwards." She sighed as I reached out to stroke her cheek.
"Your family's fine the way it is. Just they need to see you for who you are, not what they think."
"Yer right but anyways, what ya've been cookin'. Been up on an aerial adventure, I take it?" She asked.
"Nothing special today, just another routine flyover. Though, I could take you up later, once I'm all finished with work."
"I suppose you could. C'mon, let's get Betty back inside and I'll help you with the farm. It must be a huge looking after it all on your own." She spoke and thus helps me with pushing the plane back into the hangar before working on the farm. All of the generic fields filled with fresh produce were harvested and sold, the empty fields replanted and the vast Ancient Fruits were catered to. Ever since I started plantin' em, since the first of summer, they were growing nicely. Great, strong curly vines almost covered the entirety of the fields. We even got lost trying to get out of it once.
It was quite romantic though, to say the least, as we both worked our way through the farm. Then, once again, we'd take to the skies again for a long aerial flight. Life seems to finally be uplifting for me, despite the massive setback concerning my Pa. Tis what he would've wanted.
As night started to fall, I saw Abigail off before visiting the Community Center to check in on the bundles. I looked over to see the fishing bundles was only halfway done. Most of the spring fish was handed in, thanks to the 'no doubt' help of the Travelling Cart. I think should get started with breakin' out the ol fishing rod.
The next day, I got out the ol' Bamboo rod and got to work. Starting with the seaside, as it seems to be the best place to start. I stood out on the wooden jetty and casted my line; though it might be more to do with waiting than actually pulling in the catch as I watched the bobble list lazily on the water's surface.
Then, a few minutes later, the whole thing sunk into the sea and I gasped as the line began to tug. I quickly cranked as hard as I could but, much to my excitement, it was nothing more than a pair of broken ol' glasses.
I'm going to be here forever am I?
Then I heard Elliot walking up, as if he was here to gaze at the stretching waterline. We never met much as he lingers mostly down at the beachfront.
"Hmmm… sounds like the best day for some fishing, hm?" The scarlet coated gentleman asked as he began scribing on a note-pad.
"Well, what do you do? I don't see a rod." I asked him.
"Nono, a writer doesn't whittle his time playing with the sea-life. He'd rather get lost in the world he crafts, describing every detail with the marks of sights he finds himself in.
For me, it's about the aura of the ocean… tis how I came here to be. To write in peace while the waves crash onto the beach to provide me with a peaceful song. The hustle and bustle of the town is a little too much for my tastes.
It's great to finally meet you in person, proper, Mr McSopwith. You've did a great job making a turnover in this shady part of the valley. Joja has had its grip on here for quite some time but the Mayor insists that they never take it over completely.
Just the pure bliss and age-old traditions upheld in Pelican Town is too much for Lewis to surrender to such a conglomerate.
"Now, if you focus and be patient, you'll be able to catch more than mere garbage. Though… even if things look dire, like that pair of broken spectacles, even true beauty will reveal itself in the most hideous of things.
If you understand what I mean, then you're already there. Hmhm. I hope we cross paths again, Mr McSopwith." He hummed out a few wise words before leaving me be to fish in peace.
Sure enough, my rod caught another. This time, I felt the line tug even more and the hook was rapidly swaying left and right. Remembering what Willy told me, I pulled against the hook and slowly began reeling it in. Trying not to let it get further and further.
Finally, my own strength overpowers my catch and out came a mere shub. It wasn't much but it was the start of something amazing. I headed inside the fishmonger's, that was conveniently placed behind me, but was met with this overpowering stink.
"Mornin' Robbie. Ha, don't worry 'bout the smell. Tis' the whole point of the fishmonger's. I sell all me catch here for people to buy for their supper. Ya'll get used to it eventually." Willy cackled as I haphazardly handed him the fish.
"Oh! A lil' chub. Haha, colour me impressed, ya did catch that fine specimen all on ye own?" To which I nodded. "Good on ya, Robbie. I knew ye had the spunk of a fisherman in ye. Tell ya what, if ya continue to sell me good quality fish, then I might let ya get yer hands on one of me finer rods. Some of which allow ya to put hooks 'n bait on, so ye can reel in some of the bigger beauties on this side of the sea! They'll help test ye upper strength too, so keep these lil guys comin; and yar will be walkin' oot with one of the flashier rods in no time, haha!
Well done on a fine catch, me lad. Oh, make sure to try the rivers 'n lakes too. There's more to fishing than finding them in the ocean." He cackled.
Finally, once I was out of the stinkin' store, I headed back to town and tried the winding river, that was flowing through. I casted out my line and waited. Then, sure enough, I caught another bite. I reeled it in as quickly as I could and out came this green Bass. He was definitely right about that one too.
I continued spending the rest of the day, fishing in the rivers and lakes, where each line was slowly becoming easier and less of a chore. My confidence was growing as well.
After visiting the Travelling Cart in Cindersap Forest and catching some of the fish in the nearby river, I headed up to the Community Center, as some of the catch was wanted by the Juminos; I popped the slimy fish into the bundles and got some fishing-themed items in return; Hooks, Bait and others. Though, the Boiler room still remained waiting for its items. A good look in there told me that it required things you'd find in the mines; Gold, Iron, Copper and even things you'd get from monsters. It might be one of the easier ones to get since my gear is more than enough to see me through this scroll.
Leaving the Community Center behind, I headed back home to drop off whatever fish I had left in the shipping bin, and inside the farmhouse to rest my weary head. I am certain that I will get this building finished by the end of the year. If not, there's always next year.