Saturday, 27th of Spring

When Alma started coming awake, she noticed the ringing in her ears was actually the sound of a drill. It was at the wall next to her bed, and she realized that it was Robin working on extending the house. Excited, she bounced out of bed, pulled on her overalls, and stepped out of the house to see. Sure enough, Robin was standing at the outside of the house, trading her drill for a hammer. "Good morning, Robin!" she called from the porch.

"Be patient," Robin said, a nail between her teeth. "I still have a lot of work to do."

"Yep, don't mind me. Just wanted to say hi!" She went back and took a look at the crops. The last of the parsnips were ready, and the green beans had produced more on the vine again too. And when she looked at the rice she planted near the small pond, those looked ready to cut down too. She harvested what was ready, watered the few crops that were left, and took care of Bsiclavret too. She went to the coop and saw Henriette and Little Red feeding happily in the grass. She gave them both a little cuddle and then poked her head inside the coop. Still no eggs. She wondered at what age did chickens start producing eggs. Time would tell, she reminded herself. Alma remembered, too, that this would be the first morning she could harvest mushrooms. And sure enough, when she entered the cave, she saw several mushrooms inside Demetrius's raised containers, though she didn't know what kinds they were. She remembered mushrooms were part of the exotic foraging bundle and that ten pieces of hardwood would complete the construction bundle. So when she gathered her supplies for going into town, she made sure to take those things with her too.

Alma approached Pierre's and saw a Help Wanted notice:

"I require Smallmouth Bass for potion-making. Please deliver directly to my study.

-M. Rasmodius, Wizard"

He was offering 150 gold, and Alma knew for sure she had a smallmouth bass at home. They were easy to come by, so if she gave one to the wizard, she knew it'd be easy to get another later on. She pulled off the paper and made a note in her journal to go visit the wizard when she had the chance. Alma also checked the calendar and saw that today was Emily's birthday. She would have to take something to her sometime today. But for now, she went inside the shop to sell her supplies. "It's Farmer Alma!" Pierre cheered as she came through the door.

"How are you, Pierre?"

"Oh, you know, all right. It's a lot of work to run a shop - especially when you've got something like Joja to contend with. I've got to keep things stocked and priced well, and sometimes I get new items in stock, so make sure to stop by every so often."

"As a matter of fact, I might have some of that new stock for you today." She pulled out the mushrooms along with her other crops.

"Well, look at that! How are you getting such a wide array of mushrooms?"

"It's Demetrius, actually!" she said. "He's doing some research about mushroom growth in a cave on the land, and he said I can help myself to whatever mushrooms are in there."

"That's great for both of us! I will happily buy these from you."

"You'll have to forgive me; you know how little I know about this kind of thing. What kinds of mushrooms are these?"

"Very originally named, let me tell you," he said. "Mostly common mushrooms, but these are called red mushrooms. And these are morels – very fancy."

Alma remembered all three of those being in the bundles. "Oh, actually, is it okay if I keep some of them then? Maybe one of each?"

"Sure, not a problem." He handed some of them back to her.

"Thanks. You can have all the rest of this, though," she said, pushing the parsnips, green beans, and rice to him. He gave her a good price for them, and she thanked him and went up to the community center to drop off what she could in the bundles.

When she dropped off the hardwood, the bundle was complete, and a present appeared for her. She opened it up and saw a small charcoal kiln. "Oh! That might come in handy," she thought. And then she heard something in another part of the old building. "Another bundle? How many more are there?" She went exploring through the building and saw a little junimo bouncing in front of a bulletin board in the hall on the opposite side of the building. She approached and saw bundles about different townspeople: one for Demetrius, one for Marnie, one for Gus, one for Rasmodius, and one for Emily. She took a look at all of them to see if she had any items ready, and the only thing was another red mushroom. She thought for just one item, maybe she could come back another day to drop that one off. But seeing the people's faces reminded her – she needed to take a bass to Rasmodius and a birthday gift to Emily. Maybe, she thought, she could go to the beach and pick up a nice seashell for Emily. She felt like she would enjoy that, and maybe there would be some other things on the beach that she could sell or put into the crab pot bundle. Alma thought maybe she could make a circle: go back to the farm to pick up the fish, take it to Rasmodius, pick up a shell at the beach, and give it to Emily either at her home or at the saloon. So, with that plan, she went back home.

Robin was still hard at work, and Bisclavret ran to meet Alma. "Hey, sweet boy," she said, rubbing his face. She went to her chests and picked up the smallmouth bass she had, and she also noticed she had a gemstone she could take to Gunther. "I must have gotten this in the mines and forgotten to donate it before. Oh! And the books!" She put the gemstone in her bag and rushed back inside the cabin to get On Animal Care so she could exchange it for another lost book. When she put it in her bag too and made sure the other lost book was inside, she headed south to Rasmodius's tower.

She knocked on the door, and it magically swung open on its own. "I am not to be bothered," the wizard said, not turning to even see who it was.

"Sorry, but I have the bass you requested in your ad," Alma said. Then he turned and looked at her, interested. She took the smallmouth bass out of her bag and held it up for him to see.

He approached her and accepted it. "Ah, the item I requested." He looked it over and said, "Your work was satisfactory. Here is your compensation." He handed her a bag of coins. "I trust your work with the Junimo is going well?"

"It is. I deliver them what they ask for, they give me gifts, and they promise to make repairs to the town."

"But they haven't done so yet? I have felt a slight change in the energy of the town but nothing that drastic."

"No, nothing yet."

"Mm. Well, keep doing it. The junimos are faithful creatures. They will keep their side of the deal." He then turned to walk away. "Now leave me be! I have much work to do."

"Of course, sir, I'll see myself out." When she turned to the door, it opened for her, and she quickly went through it, after which it slammed shut. Alma jumped and looked behind her but then carried on through the forest and back into town.

She went over the bridge to the beach and, just as she hoped, she saw some clam shells and oysters. The clam shells looked particularly nice, and she thought they would make a lovely present for Emily. As she was picking up shells, she saw something poking up out of the sand. She took out her hoe, dug it up, and discovered another lost book! This one was thinner - almost like a journal or notebook. She smiled and put it in her bag, wondering what mysteries it held.

She went back across the bridge toward Emily's house and knocked on the door. "Come in!" she heard a voice say. Alma came inside and saw Emily coming toward her. "Hi, Alma! What brings you here?"

"I heard it was your birthday!" She pulled out the shell and handed it to Emily. "I know it's not the best gift, but I saw it on the beach and thought you might like it."

"Oh, a birthday gift! Thank you."

"You're welcome! Doing anything fun today to celebrate?"

"I'm just on my way to work, so, no, not really. I'm just working at Gus's to make ends meet, though. My real passion is tailoring, so maybe I can work on some clothes when the saloon closes. I made these clothes from scratch, see?" she said, pulling at her skirt and twirling around.

"I do see! You definitely have some talent."

"Thank you!"

"Well, I'll let you go. Don't want you to be late!" Alma also thought that if Emily was on her way to work, that meant it was almost four, which was when the museum closed. She needed to hurry, so she said goodbye and then rushed out the door and to the museum.

She got there just in time, and Gunther smiled when she came in. "Back already, eh?"

"Yes, I forgot a few things yesterday." She gave him the purple stone and watched him examine it.

"Lovely amethyst. A beautiful stone, don't you think?"

"Yes, it is quite beautiful. It will make the collection more colorful."

"That it will. Thank you."

"Of course. And I have these," she said, pulling out On Animal Care and the two new lost books. "So maybe now I'll check out the new lost book?"

"Go right ahead," he said, gesturing that way. Alma stepped toward the shelves and found that the most recent addition was actually a script! The Fisherman, Act I. It was a dramatic dialogue between Tex and Gordy, discussing tricks to improve at fishing. Alma read it intently.

"Hello, Ms. Alma!" she heard from behind her. It was Dr. Harvey.

"Oh, Doctor, hello. How are you today?"

"Doing all right. Er … read anything interesting in the library lately?" he asked, pointing to the book.

"Oh, yes, this is one of the lost books I was telling you about! Look at this!" She held it over for him to see over her shoulder. "It's like a play! Who knew there was something like this here, right?" She closed the playbook and held it against her chest. "How about you? Was today pleasure reading or research?"

"A bit of both," he said with a smile. "I was just on my way home now, though, since the library i-is closing."

"Oh, yes, I guess you're right," she said, putting the book back on the shelf. "Don't want to keep Gunther."

"Well, uh … See you around then?"

"Yes, see you around."

He smiled and bowed out, and she watched him leave. She sighed when she heard the door close and made her way back to Gunther's counter to pick up her bag.

"He's in here every Saturday, you know," Gunther said as she leaned over to pick up her backpack. "He's here for hours. But in the past weeks, he's always stayed later, not leaving … until you've come by." He raised his eyebrows and smiled at her over his glasses before taking some things and walking away into a back room. She hesitated a moment then pulled her bag tight over her shoulders and started for the door.

CW: infidelity, homelessness

"So what do you want for dinner?"

"I dunno. I'm just too beat to hardly even think." Alma seemed to sink deeper and deeper into the couch.

"Then let me do the thinking." He sat next to her and put his arm around her. "How about that little Indian place downtown? We haven't been there yet, and you've been talking about trying it."

Alma smiled. "Some paneer does sound amazing right now."

He kissed her on the cheek and sat up like he was ready to pounce off the couch. "Carryout or dine-in? I can bring it to you, and you don't even have to leave the couch."

"No, I need to at least not feel like a beached whale, even if I am one." She started to scoot off the couch too but then looked at him. "But maybe we can still eat at home? I don't really feel like being around a lot of people."

"You got it. Let's go." He gave her a hand and they were off to the restaurant. When they pulled into the parking spot down the street from the restaurant, Eric unbuckled and asked. "So anything with paneer?"

"If they have a masala, that's best. And lots of samosas."

"Always. You rest." He got out of the car and jogged down the street. Alma looked at the city lights and watched the people passing by. Today was a hard day at work - as most were - and her energy was just depleting more and more with every day. She reminded herself that she was doing her part to help the family; Eric had just finished his Master's, he found a great job as an interpreter at the airport, and they had moved to a small studio apartment in the city to keep him close to that. Joja was a stepping stone and just a way to earn money for now. She could at least work her way up to data analysis like what she had done during school, and then maybe they could transfer to a different city closer to home that had an airport and a job that Alma would enjoy too. But for now, all that felt so far away. Joja was a soul-sucker, and the IT work was just excruciating.

She watched all the people walking by and wondered about their stories. Some were well-dressed - probably professionals getting off work. Some were well-worn - probably living under the poverty line and struggling with mental disabilities and/or substance abuse. She wanted to help both and those in between. Everyone had struggles, big and small, and she reminded herself how badly she wanted to use her skills to help others. But right now, she just felt helpless in so many ways.

She noticed one man selling a newspaper for money, and she felt a pull. She had heard of this service; a community center was teaching literacy and writing courses to the underprivileged in the city to help with skills that could later produce resumes, cover letters, and better correspondence and networking skills. And in the meantime, while students took those classes, they could sell student-written newspapers for a few dollars to help work toward anything else they needed. Alma wanted to know more about this organization, and here was her chance. Here was her chance, too, to tangibly help someone. She unbuckled her seatbelt and walked toward him.

"Excuse me, sir, I'm interested in your newspaper. This is the one that's run by the literacy program, is that right?"

"Yes ma'am, down at the community center by the library."

"Are you taking any of their classes?"

"Yes ma'am, the class on professional writing. I'm a veteran of the Gotoro conflict and had trouble finding work after coming back. Fell onto hard times and wound up on the street, but I - I want to work again, ma'am. People think I want to be on the streets, but I'm doing everything I know how to get off 'em."

"Yes, sir, I know you are, and I want to thank you for your service and apologize for the way you've been treated on your return. What job are you hoping to get with your skills training?"

"Something at Joja - maybe in their factory or something. I hear they have a lot of job openings."

"Oh, I work at Joja now! I'm in their call center."

"Oh, okay. I could do that work too, I think. I'm a good talker."

Alma chuckled. "Well, I'll be honest, Joja is not an ideal work environment, but I know you're looking for whatever you can get."

"Yes ma'am, that's right: whatever I can get."

"What is your name? Maybe we can stay in touch, and when it's time that you'd like to apply, I can write a recommendation letter for you."

"Oh, that'd be - that'd be a blessing from Yoba, ma'am, thank you." He held up his badge from the community center. "I'm Tony, but everyone calls me Sargeant."

"Sargeant, it's so nice to meet you. My name is Alma. I'm also interested in buying a copy of your newspaper. How much is it?"

"Just a dollar, ma'am."

"If I give you extra, are you allowed to keep it?"

"Yes ma'am, but you don't have to do that."

"Well, I want to, at least to pay for your next meal. Do you have a place to stay tonight?"

"Yes ma'am, I'm staying at the motel a couple blocks away."

"What's the rate there?"

"It's about twenty a night, ma'am."

"Let me pay for a few nights too then."

"Oh ma'am, that is - that is very generous of you. That is far too much for you to do."

Alma started feeling around her pockets and realized she didn't bring her wallet. Eric would have it in the restaurant though. "Oh, but you know what, my husband has my money. Would you like to come with me to get it, and maybe I can pay for food there? Do you eat Indian?"

"Honestly, ma'am, I've never had it."

Alma laughed. "Well then, you're in for a treat! Come on, Sargeant."

Tony followed behind her as they walked up the street to the restaurant, and when Alma came in, she saw Eric holding their bags of food and talking with a woman inside. "Alma! Uh, hi!" he said, jumping a little. "Who is this?" he asked, pointing to Tony.

"Eric, this is my new friend, Sargeant. He's part of that literacy program at the community center, and he's hungry for dinner. Can I have your wallet, please?"

"Sure, of course." He reached for his pocket and took out his wallet. "And this is Audrey. She also works for the French airline. We just - ran into each other and were catching up a bit."

"Audrey," Alma said, reaching out a hand, "it's nice to meet you. Enchantee."

"Audrey, this is my - my wife, Alma."

Audrey looked sharply at Eric. "Oh! You ... didn't tell me you had a wife." He shrugged and put an arm around her.

Alma kissed his cheek and said, "Wallet?"

"Oh, yeah, sorry." He handed it to her, and she turned back to Tony.

"If you're new to Indian, I recommend the chicken tikka masala. But you order whatever you want, and I'll cover it." She looked in Eric's wallet and took out all his cash, counting it. "There's enough here for two nights, plus a bit extra maybe for another meal tomorrow."

"I'll see you later," Eric said to Audrey with some dejection, as if knowing that their time was up, and she left the restaurant.

Alma handed the money to Tony, watching Audrey leave. Tony stuck the cash in his lanyard. "Thank you so much, ma'am." He gave her a newspaper, and she got a pen from the counter and wrote her name and work email on one corner, then ripped it off and gave it to him.

"And like I said, when you get ready to apply, you send me an email to this address, and I'll put in a recommendation for you. Oh, and let me give you my phone number in case you need anything." She wrote her number for him, and he ordered his food. Alma swiped Eric's card and handed his wallet back to him, his face unamused. "Well, I think we're going to go. You enjoy your food, and hopefully I'll hear from you again soon!"

"Thank you again so much, ma'am." She shook his hand and then waved goodbye as she took Eric's arm and left the restaurant together.

"You gave him all my cash?" Eric asked quietly as they got outside.

"He needs it more than you do."

"And you actually want to give him a recommendation to Joja? I thought you hated it there," he said as he opened up the car door.

"He said he wanted to work there, like at an entry level position in the factory or something. I thought I could help him out."

Eric shook his head and sat in the car for a moment before starting it up. "Alma, sometimes you have to be smart about these things. You don't know that man, and you don't know how he's going to spend that money. That was about a hundred dollars you just spent on him. I know you're a kind-hearted person, but sometimes you've got to use your head instead of your heart."

"Funny you should say that," she answered. Then she looked at him and said, "Audrey seems nice." He looked at her then started the car and drove them back to their apartment.