Sunday, 28th of Summer

Alma sat up in bed and looked out the window to see the last morning of summer sunlight. She yawned and stretched then turned on the TV to watch an episode of The Queen of Sauce. She grabbed her notebook to write down the recipe for bread. She loved making bread in the city, but she knew making it here might be a challenge. When the show was over and hse had successfully recorded the recipe, she closed her notebook and got ready for another day of work.

She stepped outside and approached her mailbox when she saw she had some mail sticking out. There were two letters from Demetrius, one a letter explaining that he found an "interesting specimen" while conducting field research and wanted to show it to her - with a bream included. "Uh … okay, Demetrius," she muttered, putting the bream in her bag. Then she opened the other letter:

"Dear Alma,

Tonight at around 10 o'clock PM, a rare and beautiful event will take place. The moonlight jellies will be passing by Pelican Town on their long journey south for the winter. We're all gathering at the beach to watch. You don't want to miss this!

See you tonight,

Demetrius"

That sounded lovely! She had never heard of moonlight jellyfish before, and she thought they must look beautiful in the water at night. She was looking forward to it! But until then, she had a lot of work to do.

First, she looked at her crops - her last summer harvest - and saw she had spangle flowers and radishes as well as more tomatoes and, of course, hops. She picked what she could and watered everything else, knowing that many of the crops would just die by tomorrow. She made her other rounds throughout the farm then came back to her chests to organize her things. She looked through the materials she had gathered from the mines yesterday too and saw she had enough to make another cheese press and a preserves jar too. She placed the preserves jar next to the steps of the cabin and took the second cheese press to the barn. She checked her bag one more time to make sure she had everything she needed then went into town to Pierre's.

When she came in, Pierre chuckled and pointed to her face. "What, did Harvey say no and throw a punch at you?!"

Alma shook her head and rolled her eyes as she took off her bag. "You wouldn't believe it. I came in after being in the mines and nearly had to get a rabies injection! Definitely not how I was expecting last night to go."

"Well, did you give him the bouquet?" She smiled and nodded. "And he accepted, right?" Another nod. "Well, well, well. Congratulations are in order." He stepped into the stacks and brought something to her. "As sure as vines grow around a stump, Harvey is your … sugar lump!" He laughed and held out a package of sugar for her.

"You're the worst," she moaned, accepting the sugar. "Buy my produce and let me leave in peace please!"

"All right, all right. Seriously, though, I'm happy for you. Harvey's a good guy. He'll treat you right. And I know I said it yesterday, but I'll say it again: you're good for him."

"Bye, Pierre," she sang after he gave her the money. "Please do me a favor and don't scream this from the rooftops, okay?"

"Nah, I'll just post it outside instead," he laughed.

Alma laughed and gave him a dismissive wave on her way out. She rushed next to Clint's shop before he closed so she could process some of the geodes from her trip to the mines yesterday. Besides some regular rocks, she got a beautiful orange stone and red stone in the shape of a triangular column. She knew Gunther would be interested in both of those, so she next went south to the library. "Orpiment … and helvite," he told her after examining them. "Beautiful, aren't they? You must be getting down pretty deep into those old mines to find these! And, uh," he said, pointing to his cheek, "it seems like they have been getting harsher, eh?"

She touched the bandage on her cheek and shook her head. "Not a big deal. I've made it down thirty-five levels. I suspect I'm only about a third of the way down, according to some of the books I've read in here."

"Glad you're gleaning some practical information," Gunther said.

"I might actually try going down five more today before the moonlight jelly event," she thought aloud. "Will you be there?"

"Nah, not my thing," he said with a smirk.

Then Alma realized: "You know, it occurs to me, I haven't seen you at any of the festivals or events in town. Is there … a reason for that?"

He propped his elbow on the table and looked at her with a grin. "I'm a hermit. I don't go anywhere. My only friends are my collections."

"No, really. Is everything … okay?"

He shrugged and kept a little of his smile. "There's some truth in what I say. I know most of the townspeople view me as quite eccentric and odd - and, hey, maybe I am. I do enjoy being alone and surrounded by interesting things that I've collected. I connect more to people and things of the past than those of the present. I have everything I need in here, and those who care enough to get to know me come and see me. And for that, I am grateful."

Alma sighed and smiled. "All right, well, you know you have a friend in me, right?"

"I do, Ms. Alma. It does not go unappreciated. And don't be concerned; I am quite content here. I choose to be isolated."

She started to understand that maybe his way of life was similar to Linus's: it was not conventional, but it was what they each wanted. And for that, she respected both of them. "Well, I'm off to the mines then, I guess. Maybe I'll find more stuff to bring you soon."

"I look forward to it. Enjoy the jellyfish tonight!"

Alma waved on her way out and headed north to the mountains. When she stepped off the elevator onto the thirty-fifth level, she could automatically tell the spirits were not happy. There were rocks everywhere! She got out her pickaxe and got to work. She mined and mined and chipped and chipped, and she felt like she got nowhere. There were hardly any resources besides stone that she could collect, and though she was tired, she kept pushing on to see if she could make it to the fortieth level before ten o'clock. But she had to get to thirty-six first! Finally, there was the ladder.

On the next level, there were still several rocks just around the entrance at the ladder, but there were also more monsters. She could hear squeaking bats, and she kept her grip on the handle of her sword. "If you attack me," she called out, "I'm taking your brain!" Some bats did come flying to her, but she was able to stave them off before they got too close. She cut off their wings and put them in her bag. After the last bat, Alma let out a long exhale. She was worn out. She didn't think she had much more in her to make it to the fortieth level. If she could make it to the next one, she'd be happy. Soon, the ladder appeared, and she made her way down.

She took a look around and saw this level was not so bad. Maybe she could make it to thirty-eight if she had a snack. She reached in her bag and pulled out some algae that had been in the chest by the elevator. It tasted awful, but it woke her up a bit. She kept mining and fighting off bats and stone golems until - there it was! She dropped down to level thirty-eight.

When she looked around, this was the opposite; just looking at all the rocks made her tired. She checked the time; it was nine o'clock. "No, that's it," she told herself as she turned back to the ladder she had just climbed down. She made her way back to level thirty-five and took the elevator up the rest of the way. Before going to the beach, she dropped by the community center to put the bat wings in the adventurer's bundle.

Alma left the community center, went through town, and crossed the bridge to the beach right at ten o'clock. It was beautiful! The entire beach was glowing with lanterns, and all the townspeople were facing the water to watch for the moonlight jellyfish. She looked around and saw Harvey pacing from the eastern island to the beach just in front of Elliott's cabin. "Oh, he must be nervous," she mumbled. She decided to go see him first before making her rounds to say hi to everyone else. "Hey, Harvey," she called as he started to walk away again. He turned to see who it was, and his face softened when he saw her. "Are you okay? You're pacing."

"Oh, no, actually, I'm fine. I'm walking the coast and looking for any signs of jellyfish," he chuckled, pushing up his glasses. "I'm glad you made it. I wasn't sure if you - if you knew about this."

"Demetrius sent me a letter and invited me. He said I wouldn't want to miss it!"

"He's right. It's a beautiful sight and probably my favorite festival we have here in town." He looked at her a minute. The moon put a glow on her face from above, and the dancing candlelight warmed her face from below. "You look … breathtaking in this light."

She chuckled and asked, "Even with the possible rabies lacerations?"

"May I?" Harvey put his fingertips to her face to feel if there was any sign of infection, then he took the opportunity to stroke her cheek. He smiled a little then quickly put his hand down. "The smaller cuts already seem to be healing up. No sign of infection on the one we bandaged. You still feel okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

He nodded. "Okay, good. I sent the brain to the lab this morning, so we should hear an answer by Wednesday at the latest." He turned and looked over the water. "Well," he sighed, "summer's over." He slapped his neck and said, "To be honest, I'll be happy to say goodbye to these blasted mosquitos!"

"'Tis autumn," she said with a smirk. He smiled down to her, remembering their dance last night. "Have you told anyone yet?"

"No," he said, "it's not something that comes up in conversation, you know?" He looked around. "Though I'm sure someone's bound to notice. And word spreads fast here."

"Pierre knows, since he sold me the bouquet. I asked him to be discreet. I know you're more private and probably wouldn't want him advertising it all over town."

"Well, if he knows, everyone else is sure to find out soon," Harvey chuckled. "And I don't mind."

"I don't either," she said, smiling up at him. They stood and listened to the waves for a moment, and Alma asked, "So when does this start? How will we know when they come?"

"Lewis is going to send out a boat with a lantern. That should attract the jellyfish to come in to the other lights."

"Maybe I should go check on him," she said, "and I can go around and say hi to everyone else too."

"Work your magic, you mean," he said.

"Something like that," she said. "I'll be back before it begins." She walked further down the beach to the Mullners. "Hi, Granny. Mr. Mullner."

George craned his neck and did a double-take when he saw her. "What, why are you looking at me like that? You think I'm too old to enjoy something like this?"

"No, absolutely not!" she chuckled. "Things like this keep you young at heart, I'm sure."

Evelyn patted George's shoulder and shook her head. "Now, George, hush your grumpy little mouth now. Alma's right. I remember seeing the jellies once, as a little girl. Oh, how I jumped with joy when they arrived!"

"That was your first time?"

"Yes, and I was the one to see them coming toward the coast. Oh, it was magical, Alma. I'll never forget it."

"I know I won't either," she said with a smile. She patted Evelyn on the shoulder before walking on. She saw Pierre's stand set up on the northwest corner of the beach, so she crossed the beach to see what he might be selling. "Hi Pierre! What have you got for today?"

He gestured to the goods he was selling as he said, "Mostly decor … and some seafoam pudding!"

"Hm … no thanks."

"Psst …!" Pierre leaned closer and said, "Make sure to swing by the shop tomorrow to get your fall seeds!"

"You know I will," she answered with a smile.

Caroline stepped over and grinned at Alma. "These candles are romantic, aren't they, Alma?"

Alma glanced at Pierre who was intentionally looking away. "Pierre? How many people have you told?"

"Well, of course I had to tell my wife! And daughter. And anyone who came into the store today."

"Pierre!"

"Look, if I don't tell them, they're going to go through that awkward period of wondering if they should ask you or not! I'm doing you a favor!"

"You're impossible," she laughed.

"See you tomorrow!" he called as she walked away.

Alma walked down the beach and saw Pam and Gus overlooking the waters. "Hi Gus! You excited to see the jellyfish?"

"'Moonlight Jellies' …. I wonder how they taste?" he asked, stroking his mustache.

"Pretty gummy, I'd reckon," Pam laughed.

"I would never try it, of course!" he backtracked.

"You sure?" Alma asked. "Jellyfish are enjoyed in some parts of the world!"

"If you found one washed up … you wouldn't be tempted?" Pam teased. She leaned closer to Alma and said, "Don't tell Gus, but I'm a little disappointed there's no buffet tonight."

"I heard that!" Gus laughed. "What would you suggest I serve?"

"Well, beer would always make this more interesting," Pam said.

"You all have fun," Alma said, "I'm gonna go and say hi to some other people while you two figure this out." She continued onto the pier and saw Penny watching Vincent as he ran back and forth from one end to the other.

"I wanna see the rare green jelly!" he cheered.

"Keep your eyes peeled, Vincent!" Alma laughed. She stood next to Penny and looked over the water with her. "Hi, Penny. What's on your mind?"

"Life is so easy for a jellyfish … just letting the waves carry you onward forever." Her voice was faint but resolute, like she was wishing this for herself.

"It does sound nice, doesn't it? But they do have to take this long migration … that may not be as appealing to some people."

"To some, maybe. But I wouldn't mind," she said with a little smile.

Alma patted her on the back. "I know you wouldn't." She patted her again as she walked away.

As she approached the end of the dock, Abigail said, "Such a rare and exciting thing …."

Sebastian leaned over the water and said, "Look, Abigail! I thought I saw something moving in there …."

"Yeah? What did it look like?"

"Something big, something dark."

"I don't see anything," Alma said, looking with them into the water.

"Just trying to scare you," he chuckled.

"Sebastian! Not funny," Abigail whined, turning to the other side of the pier with Sam.

"I wonder if they're poisonous?" Alma heard Sam ask. "Maybe I shouldn't push Sebastian in the water after all …"

"Probably not a good idea, no," Alma answered.

"I say go for it!" Abigail said.

Alma shook her head as she doubled back up the pier. She saw Marnie standing right at the edge of the pier, next to the coastline. "Marnie? You okay?"

"That's a heavy load of people for an ancient wooden dock!" she cried. "I'll stay over here near the beach, thanks."

Alma chuckled and said, "Probably a safe move." She moved on and saw Alex and Haley standing next to each other. "Hi you two," she said. "Ready to see the jellyfish?"

Haley flipped her hair and clicked her tongue. "I should've brought my camera! I always forget."

"Hm," Alma wondered, "I'm not sure how much you would actually be able to catch on camera anyway. But … there's next year, right?"

"I can't believe summer's over," Alex said. "I feel like it just started."

"That happens as you get older, I'm afraid," she chuckled. "Enjoy your youth while you have it!" She waved as she walked on down the pier toward Willy's shop. Shane and Jas were there, and Alma watched as Jas was excitedly scanning the water. "Looking for a jellyfish, Jas?"

"Yeah! I hope there are babies this year!"

"There probably will be. There were babies last year," Shane said to Jas. Then he turned to Alma and said, "Hard to believe the jellies were here a year ago, and they'll be back again a year from now." He scoffed and shook his head as he looked back to the nighttime ocean. "Nature is amazing."

"It finds a way to overcome," Alma said quietly to him. He looked at her, and she gave a little wink before moving on down the pier.

"Good evening, Alma!"

"Hello, Mayor Lewis," she answered.

"The Moonlight Jellies are close… I already saw one glowing in the distance."

"Harvey explained to me that we actually decide when the show starts, right? We send out a light or boat or something?"

"Yes, that's right. Once we launch the candle-boat, they'll come up to the docks and say hello."

"Wow. That's exciting!"

"Most night-fish would be scared of the light," Willy said. "These are strange ones."

"They're certainly special," Mayor Lewis said as if correcting the fisherman.

They all turned their heads when they heard Jodi gasp and yell, "There! I just saw something glowing!"

"Really? Where?" Alma asked.

"Oh," Jodi sighed, "It's gone. Sorry. Didn't mean to get your hopes up."

"That's okay, Jodi," Alma smiled.

"Oh, and Alma!" Jodi said with a big smile. Alma knew what was coming up. "Pierre told me you have a sweetheart! I'm so happy for you."

"Thank you, Jodi, we're both quite happy too."

"You know, being with a doctor is like being with a soldier; you're going to have to get used to the fact that he's really married to his work."

"Oh, well, uh …" Alma wasn't sure how to answer that. "I'm sure we'll, uh, find a good balance eventually." Jodi smiled, and Alma quickly looked and saw who was closest: "Emily! Hi!" She rushed to make an exit.

Emily turned and smiled at her. "Hi Alma! Excited to see your first jelly dance?"

Alma snickered. "I guess, yeah."

"Look out there, at the endless sea," Emily said, reaching her hand out over the water. "Deep underwater, all kinds of life forms are moving around in the dark." She turned to Alma and raised her eyebrows with a strange smile. "Eerie, isn't it?"

"I guess so. That mystery and beauty and little sense of danger …. Kind of thrilling too, right?"

"Yes! I'd love to go out there and explore."

"Maybe someday you can!" Alma said.

Emily laughed, shaking her head. "I don't know. Maybe. Maybe not. We'll just have to see, right?"

Alma nodded and continued down the pier. Clint was closeby, and she waved and said hello. "You look … different?"

"I wore my special shoes tonight," he said. "No one noticed."

"I kind of did!" Alma answered.

"I guess so. Thanks, I guess."

"You're welcome," she smiled. She saw Elliott standing at the edge of the pier, watching the waters go in and out. "Elliott? You look … not so excited as everyone else."

"Oh, Alma … I'm afraid I'm a bit more of a … realist, I suppose." Alma knew Elliott could be dramatic, and as he flipped his hair when he turned to her, she reminded herself of this fact. "I look out into these deep waters and feel for the jellyfish, traveling so far from home to find shelter through the cold, dark winter months. And yet we intrude on their waters. If we keep polluting the oceans, the jellies will surely go extinct. It's already in the process of happening. I find trash washing up on the shores nearly every day." He sighed. "What a shame …. We have no respect for nature anymore."

"Well," she started carefully, "I know you do your part to clean up the beach. I do mine too by throwing away trash I find. If we do our parts and encourage others too, maybe we can begin some change."

Elliott looked at her and smiled. "Me, the realist, and you, the optimist. We need more people like you in this world, Alma."

"And more like you too, with concern about things most people don't think about. That's important." She smiled before walking away back up the pier and onto the beach. She saw Harvey had moved to the eastern island, and as she made her way there, she saw Linus hiding in the treeline behind Elliott's house. "Linus? Are you going to see the jellyfish from there?"

"I'll just sneak up when the jellies arrive," he said. "I don't want to bother anyone."

"You know you won't bother me. You're welcome to come stand next to me, if you'd like."

"That's very kind of you, Ms. Alma, thank you."

She nodded to him with a smile before she crossed the little wooden bridge to the island. She looked to the back treeline and saw Rasmodius tucked away in the trees. "Rasmodius? Is that you?"

He looked quite shocked and looked around him for any sign of visibility. "How did you find me back here? I thought I was well-hidden." He lifted his face and gave her a side glance. "Perhaps … you are blessed with the gift of clairvoyance."

"Rasmodius, please. A child could find you."

He lowered his head, hiding his face behind the brim of his hat. "I must work on my camouflage skills."

She shook her head and went through the island. Alma saw Leah standing at the far pier, right on the edge of the water. "Hey, Leah," she said as she approached.

"Hey. I'm paying my respects to another bygone summer." She had a wistful look in her eye, and Alma could see both sadness and hope.

"I'll leave you to your communion with the ocean then," Alma said with a pat and a nod. She went back up the pier and saw Harvey now standing with Maru, Robin, and Demetrius, who were the last ones she hadn't yet spoken with.

"Alma!" Demetrius called. "You made it!"

"I did, yes! I'm excited!" she said, coming next to Harvey.

Robin yawned and said, "It's past my bedtime."

"Honey, you have to stay awake!" Demetrius teased, elbowing her. "'The Moonlight Jelly' … what a remarkable species! We're very lucky that they stop here on their long journey south. It's unknown why they're attracted to light …. Very curious."

"Hey, Alma, did you see that candle-boat?" Robin asked, pointing toward the pier in front of Willy's shop where the boat was still tied up.

"I did! Did you - ?"

"Yes! I crafted it myself."

"Wow. It looks very nice. I guess I'm not surprised it's your handiwork."

"The weather sure is perfect for something like this, isn't it?" Harvey said.

"It's kind of cold, actually," Maru answered, hugging her shoulders a bit. "I guess fall is right around the corner."

"It is indeed!" Demetrius said.

Harvey looked at Alma and asked quietly, "Do you think we should … tell them?"

"If you want to," Alma answered. "It's up to you."

"Tell us what?" Robin asked expectantly.

Harvey put his arm around Alma and said, "I'd like to introduce you all to my … my …" They all looked a bit confused, and Alma and him exchanged glances. "Well, girlfriend sounds a bit silly for people our age, doesn't it?" Robin gasped, and he looked at them again and said, "Alma and I have decided to, uh … pursue a r-romantic relationship."

Robin squealed and clapped her hands. "That's great!"

"Congratulations!"

"So you gave her the bouquet?" Maru asked.

"Well, actually, she gave it to me, but, yes, the bouquet has been, uh, exchanged."

"Now I know why you were coming to the clinic so often," Maru giggled. "I'm happy for you both!"

"Thanks, Maru."

"Now, when is Lewis getting this show on the road?" Robin asked. "I'm getting colder and tireder with each minute!"

"More tired, dear."

"Whatever! More grumpy too! Oh, but your news puts me in a good mood! We need more excitement like that in town, don't we?"

"Maybe I can go and check in on Mayor Lewis. You want to come with me?" she asked Harvey, giving him an opportunity to escape.

"Sure, let's go." They walked along the beach, and Harvey said, "Thanks. Being there by myself after that might have been awkward."

"I figured. And we'll work out a term besides girlfriend and boyfriend."

They went down the pier to Mayor Lewis, and Harvey asked, "Is there something we're waiting on to send off the boat, Lewis? It seems quite a few people are growing impatient."

Mayor Lewis looked around to everyone and asked, "What do you think? Should I launch the boat now?"

"Yes! Let's do it!" Alma answered.

"All right then," he said, stepping toward the edge of the pier. He crouched down, untied the rope, and gave the candlelit boat a little push.

Alma walked past Lewis and made her way to the front of the pier, overlooking the ocean. She listened to the waves hitting the sand and felt the cool wind on her face. Harvey came and stood next to her. The boat continued out, the flame of the candle dancing with the motion. Soon, Alma could see a glow rising from the water. It started with one spot, but quickly grew into a glow that seemed to cover the entire horizon. Alma gasped, and Harvey smiled at her excitement. It was nice to see this through someone's eyes for the first time. She could hear people oohing and aahing and cheering and shouting along the beach, but it was amazing to her how distant it sounded under the crashing of the waves. The glowing jellyfish grew brighter as they approached, and Alma could start to see their forms under the water, pushing and pulsing their way to the lights on the beach. "Oh, wow," she gasped.

Harvey leaned in a little closer to her and said, "Isn't it beautiful? It takes my breath away every year."

Alma watched the jellyfish surround them in the dock, and she got down on her knees to get a closer look. Jellyfish were beautiful creatures to begin with, translucent and colorful, but these were lumescent and felt like something out of a dream. It looked like the entire ocean was glowing, and with the waves, it felt almost like the water itself was alive. The full moon was low in the sky, giving a cool beam of light on everything. Alma felt small in the best way. She stood back up. "It's … incredible." She looked back at Harvey to see what he thought, and he flashed a smile at her before she laughed and looked back out to the ocean.

"Soon, though, they need to keep going on their journey," Harvey said. "The next thing we do is start to put out the lights, one by one, to encourage them back out to the sea." Alma turned and looked behind her, and sure enough, the people on the beach were putting out the lights, starting with the farthest ones from the water. As darkness moved in a wave from the beach, the jellyfish moved away too. Then people started blowing out the lights on the piers, again, starting from the lights that were closest to the coast. Alma watched Harvey reach down to a lantern in the water in front of them, take it out of the water, and blow it out, placing it on the pier. She could see that Leah on the far pier was the last one to blow out the light in front of her. The jellyfish then began to move away from the pier, back out into the ocean. The darkness around them made the jellyfish seem to glow more, but soon, they descended back into the water, and the water was dark again. Far out into the ocean, she could still make out the candle boat bobbing on the waves, its light starting to dim. Harvey stood back up and sighed. "I never get tired of this. I'm happy you're here to see it." He found her hand and laced his fingers between hers. Her heart raced with excitement and a twinge of fear. She looked out to the ocean and took a deep breath of the cool, salty air, trying not to let the fear grip her and instead relish the peace she felt. A calm came over her, and she stroked his thumb with hers.

"The glow of summer has faded now," Alma said quietly, "and the moonlight jellies carry on toward the great unknown."