Saturday, 20th of Spring

Alma gasped for air and sat up in bed, coughing to get the sand out. Then, as her breath slowed, she rubbed her eyes and realized the nightmares were back. She took a few minutes to compose herself again and then went outside to address the farm work.

No mail waited for her this morning, and no crops were ready to harvest. It was a bit of a slow day. But she did see that she had just enough to finally go and talk to Robin about a coop today! She watered all of her crops and filled Bisclavret's bowl, giving him an extra cuddle. She went to her chests to see what else she should take into town. She would need wood and rock for Robin, and she thought maybe today would be a good day to go fishing in the mountain lake for bass and carp, since that was right by Robin's house. She saw in the chests, too, that she had one geode she must have forgotten, so she could also take that to Clint and then to Gunther, if need be. Gunther, right; she needed to get Tips on Farming to return to him. It seemed like maybe today wouldn't be a slow day after all!

She went first to Clint because he closed the earliest. "Good morning, Clint," she said as she walked through the door. "How are you today?"

"Business has been slow lately."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. Anything I can do to help? I mean, obviously I've got a geode here, but besides that?"

"You should upgrade your tools," he said, taking her geode and giving it a whack. "I could use the cash."

"Right, I'm interested in that too. I'm working on a few other investments first, but it's on my list." He handed her the mineral, and she held it up to him like a toast and then headed out the door. Once outside, she took a look at the mineral in her hands. She didn't know what it was, but she thought Gunther might be interested in it. She went down to the museum next. "Morning, Gunther!"

"Good morning, Ms. Alma!" Gunther said with a tip of his hat. "To what do I owe this pleasure?" She held up the mineral. "Ah, a donation!" She gave it to him, and he looked it over. "Looks like a nice chunk of topaz. This will be a lovely addition. Thank you very much."

"That's not all either," she said, pulling out Tips on Farming.

"Ah, yes, thank you. You sure you don't want more time with it?"

"No, I think I got all I needed. I appreciate you letting me keep it a little longer."

"Of course. Thank you for being good on your word and bringing it back."

"You're welcome," she answered with a nod. She walked toward the book stacks, wondering if Dr. Harvey might be here today. She knew he was probably fine, but because of the nightmare she had, she wanted to see with her own eyes.

There he was, leaning against the side of a book stack, intently reading. Alma sighed, a bit relieved. He looked up and was a bit surprised to see her standing there. "M-Ms. Alma! Is everything okay?"

"Yes, sorry, I didn't mean to - I'm sure this looks like I was - I just wanted to make sure you were … okay."

He raised his eyebrows and closed his book, leaving his finger in the place where he was. "Me? Why wouldn't I be?"

"Sorry, it probably sounds really juvenile, but … do you get nightmares often?"

He was a bit confused and furrowed his brows together. "Yes, sometimes. Not, uh, an exorbitant amount."

"You know how sometimes you have a bad dream about someone and you just want to verify that it wasn't real by seeing them?"

He nodded, now understanding. "I see. So, uh, what happened to me?"

She chuckled, now feeling very silly. "My green beans were … poisoned?"

Dr. Harvey couldn't help but laugh. "I'm sorry, sorry, I shouldn't laugh. But, no, your green beans were definitely not poisoned. They were delicious, in fact!"

"Okay, well, good. I just - It was kind of … vivid and … I just wanted to make sure you were actually okay."

He smiled and shrugged. "I'm quite fine, thank you. But tell me," he said, pushing up his glasses, "do you get nightmares like these often?"

Alma sighed. "Yes, I've had them pretty regularly for several years now. But they are getting better! In fact, this has been the second week in a row where I've had two nights without nightmares! That's pretty good!"

"'P-Pretty good?'" He looked concerned. "Alma, that sounds quite serious. Have you consulted a mental health professional about this?"

"No, I haven't. I know the nightmares are related to stress and … well, probably trauma I've experienced. But like I said, they're getting better! You don't need to worry. I've had the most peaceful sleep so far here than I've had in years. And that's saying something because that bed in the cabin is not comfortable!"

She laughed, but Dr. Harvey still looked at her with concern. "All right. But if you feel like you need someone to talk to, p-please come see me. I'm not a licensed therapist, but I can help you find one. And you know you should feel free to stop by my office if you're ever feeling ill."

"Thank you, Doctor, I'll keep that in mind."

He seemed to relax a little, and he said with a smirk, "You're young, though. You'll probably stay healthy without trying."

She raised an eyebrow. "How young do you think I am?!"

"Oh no," he laughed and shook his head, "I know - I know this trap. I'm not falling for that."

"No, really! Professionally - medically speaking, how old do you think I am?"

Dr. Harvey continued to shake his head and stayed quiet for a moment. "Young enough to - to have the energy and courage to start a new adventure on your own. How about that?"

Alma smiled and shrugged. "Okay, fine, that's a good answer." She pointed to his book. "You reading medical research again today?"

"No, actually," he said, looking at the book, "it's a bit of pleasure reading today. About small aircraft flown for amateur use."

"Yeah? What are you thinking?"

"Oh, nothing. I just - I just saw one the other day that I didn't recognize, and I wondered if I could find it here and learn more about it."

"That's right, you told me you like to watch for planes when you're out taking your breaks. And you have a lot of plane stuff in your apartment. That's your thing, huh?"

"M-My 'thing?'" he chuckled. "Yes, I suppose it is. I've always been interested in planes, ever since I was a young boy."

"Can I see?" Alma asked.

"See - oh, what? The plane?"

"Yes, is there a picture of the one you saw in the book?"

"Well, s-sure, there are many, actually," he said, holding the book open again for her to see inside. She came next to him and looked over his shoulder. He turned back a few pages and showed her the image. "It's called a Challenger, by Bombadier. It's a private jet."

"Wow, like a celebrity?"

"Maybe. More likely a, uh, a politician or a business person. Still," he said, looking at her, "pretty cool, right?"

"Yeah, that is." He showed her other pictures of the interior and the cockpit. As he was explaining it to her, she couldn't help but notice his complex scent: the earthiness of coffee, the sharpness of aftershave, and something neutralizing like sanitizer or latex. She enjoyed being close to him. "You think it will fly over again sometime?" she asked, stepping back.

"You never know!" he answered as he closed the book again. "That's why I-I like to keep an eye out." She enjoyed seeing him light up so much at showing her something like this.

"That's really interesting. I'll be keeping a closer eye on the skies now too!" She was about to say her goodbyes, but then she remembered, "Oh! Right! Guess what I'm getting today!"

He smiled and raised his eyebrows. "A coop?"

"A coop!" she squealed, and then she shushed herself and giggled. "I'm just about to go to Robin now! I'm so excited!"

He chuckled. "I can see! Better not, uh, wait then! You've waited long enough!"

"Yes, you're right, I'll leave you to it. Enjoy your book!" They waved goodbye, and she rushed out of the museum. She went back toward town to go up into the mountains, and as she passed by Pierre's, she saw Shane. She remembered today was his birthday, and she pulled out a daffodil from her bag. "Hey Shane! Happy Birthday!" she said, handing it to him.

He accepted it and looked a little shocked. "You remembered my birthday?"

"Yes! I try to make sure I catch everyone's from Pierre's calendar."

He smiled a little smile. "I'm impressed. Thanks."

"You're welcome. Have a great day!" And she continued behind the shop into the mountains. When she came into Robin's shop, she could barely hold in her excitement. "Hi Robin! Guess who's got all the stuff to build a chicken coop?"

"Oh, that's great, Alma!" Alma gave her the money, wood, and stone. "I'll get started on your coop as soon as possible. And hey, if you need any materials or blueprints, my shop is the place you're looking for! Plus, your business supports the local economy," she said with a smile.

"I'm good for now. That pretty much tapped me dry. Haha! Thank you so much!" She left the shop and went over to the mountain lake, casting out her line. She reminded herself that all she needed was a largemouth bass and a carp. Anything else she caught she could go sell to Willy before he closed up shop. Sure enough, she caught some other things: chub, smallmouth bass, bullhead … but eventually, she got a carp! And after a few other fish, she actually managed to catch two largemouth bass! So she dropped those off at the community center before going to the beach to sell her fish to Willy.

At the beach, she also found some oysters for the community center and clams that she could sell. She went inside Willy's shop to do some business. "Afternoon, lass."

"Hi Willy!" She plopped a bunch of fish on the counter.

"That's what I like to see!" he laughed. "It looks like you're starting to get your sea legs and learn the skill o' fishing, eh?"

"Yes sir! I think I'm improving a little each time!"

"That's the idea! Maybe you might inspire some of the others in town. If the local fishing scene got a bit more lively, I might expand the shop's stock."

"Well, I'd certainly love to see that happen. I'll do my best, sir! Thank you!" Before she headed home, she went back to the community center to drop the oyster off into the crab pot bundle. The sun was starting to go down, and she felt very accomplished for the day. She went back home, played with Bisclavret a bit, then read On Animal Care before getting ready for bed.

TW: dog attack

Alma stepped outside and checked her crops. Things were looking good and growing just the way they should. Again, nothing was ready to harvest, but she told herself that was okay. She made her way to Bisclavret, who was sitting obediently next to his water bowl. "Good morning, Biz, you sweet boy." She poured water in his dish, but when she reached down to pat him on the head, he put his ears back and growled. "Bizzy? You okay?" She tried again to touch him, but he bared his teeth at her. "Okay, all right, I'll leave you alone." She went back to her crops and watered all of them, all while keeping an eye on Bisclavret. He lapped up his water happily and seemed fine. She wondered what got into him.

"Good morning, Alma!" Robin said as she walked past. She was carrying the wood and a sack of stone, and she had on her carpenter's belt with all the tools she needed for building the coop. Again, Alma noticed Bisclavret growling at her when she walked by. "Whoa, easy, pup," she said with a chuckle.

"Sorry, he's been acting a little strange this morning."

"Not a big deal. That dog by the Mullners' doesn't really like me either. Anyway, I'm just gonna set up over here. Don't mind me."

"Okay, do what you gotta do. Thank you!" Alma went about her business and Robin went about hers, but as soon as her hammering started, Bisclavret started barking. "Bisclavret! Quiet, boy!" Alma was shocked at his behavior, and she wondered again if something was wrong. Maybe he was hurt somewhere or feeling sick. She went to him and tried to reach for him, but he barked again and stood his ground against her. "Whoa! Easy, Biz, easy! It's me!" He continued barking and snarling, and he started biting at the air. Drool began pouring from his mouth, and she could see the whites in his eyes. "Biz?"

When Robin started hammering again, he lunged and ran straight for her, barking violently. "Robin! Watch out!" Alma ran after him, but she could only watch as the dog jumped on Robin and ripped into her face. Robin screamed in pain, and Alma could see the blood flying as he tore away flesh. Robin swung her hammer, and he fell to the ground, lifeless. She sat up, blood gushing from her face. Her hand was covering her face, and when she took it away, Alma could see that her nose was completely gone. "Robin, we have to get you to Dr. Harvey right away!" As Alma approached, she could see claw marks on Robin's torso too, and a huge gash was just above her heart. Blood seeped out, and when Alma looked up at Robin's face, she watched her eyes roll backward as she fell back, limp. "Robin!"