This is a work of fanfiction based on the Universe of Stardew Valley. All characters and settings within this story are property of Concerned Ape (aside from Rose and Danny). This work is not authorized, endorsed, or affiliated with ConcernedApe or Stardew Valley in any way. The author acknowledges the original creator's ownership and claims no rights over the characters or settings. This fanfic is created solely for entertainment purposes and no profit is being made from it.
Today was a disaster. I was laid off from my job as a software engineer. As I walked out the door of my office with a box full of my belongings, I was stopped. It was Danny. He put a hand on my shoulder and said, "Rose, it's going to be okay. You'll find another job in no time!" I tried my best to smile, but he could always see right through me. "Let's go grab a drink. It's on me!" he said. His smile was contagious, and I couldn't say no to those puppy dog eyes. "Okay," the word slipped through my lips automatically.
We got to my favorite pub, and I ordered my usual: a burger and whatever Pilsner they currently had on tap. We sat there for a couple of hours, talking and laughing. Then he got serious. His brown eyes darted around, and his black hair fell into his face when he looked down. I don't think I had ever seen him nervous. He was always so confident. Then he looked up at me and with conviction said, "I want to be more than friends, I want you to be my girlfriend. We don't work together anymore, so we wouldn't have to worry about fraternization."
I was taken off guard. I had never thought of him that way. To be honest, I had never felt that way about anyone. I tried to think of a way to let him down easy, but the only thing that came out of my mouth was "No." I saw him wince; it looked like someone had slapped him across the face. He said, "Well, I'm not going anywhere, and I'm going to do my best to win you over." Then he paid the check and walked me to my car. I didn't know what to say, so I got in my car and drove home.
Right as I was about to walk through my apartment door, I saw my landlady. She was a sweet older woman in her 80s. She walked up to me, and I could see there was something wrong instantly. "I'm not going to be able to renew your lease at the end of this month," she said. I couldn't see the look on my face, but judging by Annie's reaction, I must have looked bad. "I'm so sorry, hun. My grandson needs a place to stay, and I want to help him out," she stated quietly. I took a deep breath and did my best to look understanding when I said, "It's okay. Family has to come first." She nodded and then gave me a smile full of sympathy and walked off.
I walked into my apartment feeling like a ghost. None of this was real, right? I was going to wake up. It was all just a bad dream. I could hear my phone buzzing, but I was so exhausted I couldn't bear to answer it. I turned it on silent and passed out on the couch, too tired to make it to my bed.
When I woke up, I looked at my phone to see 15 missed calls from my dad and 5 texts telling me to call him. What could possibly be happening now? Hadn't I been through enough? I picked up my phone and dialed his number. His voice was angry when he said, "Rosalie, what have you been doing? Why didn't you pick up your phone?" I tried to say "I'm sorry," but I was interrupted in the middle of it. His tone completely changed from angry to solemn. "I'm sorry for being curt; yesterday was rough." There was a pause, and then he took in a deep breath and said, "Your grandfather passed away yesterday."
I didn't know what to say. I was in shock. My grandfather was one of my favorite people. I spent every summer helping him on his farm, ever since I could remember. I hadn't seen him in a couple of years because I had been so busy with my job. I felt sick at the sudden realization that I would never be able to see him again. He had asked me to come visit him a few weeks ago, and I had told him I couldn't come because of the project I was working on. I had missed my last chance to see him, for a job that I no longer had. "I have to go," I said to my dad. "Wait..." he said, but I cut him off, hanging up.
I fell to the floor and sobbed for a good hour. My dad did not ring me back, probably giving me time to process. Once my breath was steady again, I picked up my phone and dialed my dad. "I know this is tough on you, sweetheart. It's tough on all of us," he said when he picked up the phone. "There's something I need to tell you though. Your grandfather left you his farm in his will. It was his wish that you move to Pelican Town and keep the farm going. I know that you've already got a job, but I know it would mean a lot..." I interrupted him and said, "Of course I'll do it." He was silent for a minute and then asked, "Are you sure? I'm a bit surprised that you would agree so quickly. I know that he meant a lot to you, but it's okay to take some time and think about it."
I didn't need to think about it. A day ago, I might not have been so willing. After everything that had happened, it seemed like the perfect timing to start anew. Not to mention, I'd be fulfilling my grandpa's wish, and it was the closest I could get to him now that he was gone.
I looked in the mirror. I was a sight for sore eyes. There were dark puffy circles under my gray-green eyes. My lips were dry and cracked from all of the crying. My golden brown hair was a tangled mess. I realized I hadn't truly looked at myself in a long time. I had been so busy with work that I had stopped taking care of myself. I was surprised Danny hadn't said anything about my appearance, but maybe he just hadn't noticed or he had been afraid to bring it up. It had gotten even worse in the past couple of weeks, as I had been grieving and too depressed to do anything. I had lost weight and not even realized it. My face looked gaunt, and my skin was pale.
Today was moving day. I had already packed up my car. I tried to get the tangles out of my wavy hair and pulled it back with a hair tie. There were stray hairs sticking out everywhere, but it was the best I could do. I couldn't help but worry what people would think when they met me. I truly looked unwell.
As I got in my car, I realized I hadn't told Danny I was moving. I hadn't talked to him since that night at the pub. Maybe it was easier if I just disappeared from his life. I could just be a sad memory, and he could move on.
It was only about an hour's drive from Zuzu to Pelican Town. I picked up some snacks from the gas station and then got on the road. Driving to the farm was always peaceful. It felt like I was driving home, which I guess was actually true now. As I pulled up to the farm, I thought for a second I had taken a wrong turn, but I saw the house and knew I was in the right place. Everything else was unrecognizable. The farm was overrun by weeds, rocks, logs, and trees. I felt terrible. I should have been here to help my grandpa. He must not have been able to keep up with the farm in his old age. I remember my dad had mentioned something about my grandpa hurting his back, but I hadn't thought anything of it.
The farmhouse was exactly as I remember it. One room, with a bed, a table, a fireplace and an old TV, a sink, a mini-fridge, and a small bathroom. I plopped down on the bed and sighed. I realized I had possibly taken on more than I could handle. It would take days to clean up the farm. I closed my eyes and drifted off into a deep sleep.
I was woken up by a knock on the door. I rubbed my eyes. It was already bright in the room, the sun shining through. I looked at my phone and realized I had slept for 12 hours. I begrudgingly pulled myself out of bed and opened the door. Mayor Lewis was standing on my porch holding a box. I recognized him. He had been good friends with my grandpa. "Rosie, it's so good to see you!" he said. Only my grandpa used to call me Rosie, so of course that's what people in Pelican Town knew me as. "I just came by to tell you how excited we all are to have you here in town. I also brought some parsnip seeds to get you started, though it looks like you've got your work cut out for you," he said chuckling as he turned and looked at the disaster of land behind him.
He handed me the box of parsnip seeds and then looked me up and down with concern. He then suggested I come by the saloon later, offering to buy me dinner, clearly implying that I could use a good meal. He said it would also be a good chance for me to meet people. Despite spending my summers here, I tended to keep to the farm and really hadn't spent time getting to know anyone. "Okay," I agreed. "Wonderful! Meet me at the Saloon at 6 p.m. I'll make sure the townspeople know you're coming in case they want to say hi," he said and then sauntered off towards town. Great, there will be an audience, I sighed. I really was not looking forward to having to meet a bunch of people all at once. I'm more of a one-on-one type of person.
Taking a deep breath, I put on my overalls and walked out to the shed where my grandpa kept his tools. I grabbed his old axe and got to work cleaning up the farm. It was going to be a lot of work, but I knew it would be worth it. My grandfather had worked this farm his whole life, and I intended to continue his legacy as he had wished.