Tuesday, 23rd of Winter
Alma bolted upright in bed and screamed. There was a ringing in her ears. Then it stopped. Alma realized - it was the phone! Who could be calling her? Her senses came back to her, and she understood she was in bed, it was a dream, she was safe … but she was also covered in a cold sweat and shaking. The phone kept ringing, and she rushed from the bed to get it. "Hel - Hello?"
She heard a strange breathing sound over the phone, like someone was sniffing the receiver. "HoOoOoOoOoO! … Is that you?"
"Is this … the bear?"
"It is indeedy!" He gruffed a happy grunt. "I have some of that good sauce still, friend. It's making me very, very happy." He let out a sound like a laugh, which ended in a snort.
"Well, I'm glad to hear that. Is there … something I can do for you? Is there a reason you're calling me at six in the morning?"
"Just want to thank you. That's all."
"Okay, well … you're welcome. I've got to go now."
"Okay. Bye bye, friend."
"Bye." Alma slowly hung up the phone. Was she still dreaming? Did a bear just … call her on the phone? She had so many questions. She needed coffee.
Alma put some water on to boil while she got dressed and checked her mail. Nothing today. But she did see that the mill was finished! It felt like such an accomplishment to her. It wasn't a big structure or really even a big achievement, but she had waited on it for so long. Now it was finally here! She smiled before stepping back into the cabin to get her coffee.
Before she made her rounds on the farm, Alma poured some of her rice into the mill. The machine immediately started beating down on the grains, and the sound was strangely satisfying to Alma. She continued to the greenhouse and found quite a few crops ready to harvest: peppers, snow yams, winter roots, crystal fruits, and coffee beans were all ready to be picked. She gathered them up and put them in her bag, and eventually, she put one pepper in the keg and one in the preserves jar. She finished her rounds, checking all the other plants and animals, organized her goods, and made her way into town.
Before going to Pierre's, Alma decided to stop by the clinic to say hi to Harvey. When she pushed open the door, she heard a squeak and glass shattering. There stood Maru with a mess on the floor in front of her. "Oh no!" she cried, dropping to her knees to examine the remains.
"Maru, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to startle you!"
"It's okay, Alma, it was my fault." She sighed and said quietly, "The whole sample is ruined …. Harvey is going to kill me …." She looked up a bit desperately. "You know Harvey so well, Alma. What should I do to keep him from getting mad?"
"Oh, he won't be mad. Just scoop it off the floor. He won't know the difference. Or, wait, no, he'll definitely know. Tell Harvey it was my fault. No, you know what - Just tell Harvey it was an accident. He'll understand. I can't imagine him getting angry at you for this."
Maru stood up and looked down at the mess. "You're right. I should just tell him the truth."
Just then, Harvey came through the door with his clipboard. "What happened? I heard something break."
He placed the clipboard on the counter, and his eyes shifted to the floor. "I accidentally dropped one of the samples," she said. "I'm so sorry."
"You're not hurt, are you?"
"No, I'm fine. But the sample …."
"It's all right. Accidents happen. Just help me clean it up."
"Yes, Doctor." Maru went quickly and grabbed a brush and dustpan from behind the counter. Harvey bent over and carefully picked up some of the large pieces of glass, then he threw them and his gloves away.
As Maru swept up the remaining glass, Harvey said, "Thanks for telling me the truth, Maru. Don't worry about the sample. We'll just get another one."
Maru dropped the remnants of glass into the trash can and got some wipes to clean up the liquid. "Thanks for being patient with me, Dr. Harvey."
"Of course. You're young and still learning the ways of the medical world. But you're a big help around here. I don't know what I'd do without you."
"See, and you thought he'd be mad!" Alma chuckled.
"Alma? You look a little pale …. Are you feeling okay?"
"Yeah, I guess it just startled me too, is all. I just wanted to come in and say hi - not make a literal mess of things!"
"It wasn't your fault either,* Harvey reassured her. "These things happen." He took a breath and smiled. "Now, is there something - "
The door opened, and Mr. and Mrs. Mullner came in. George grumbled when he lifted his eyes at Harvey. "Good for nothing doctors," he said under his breath.
Evelyn pushed his wheelchair into the waiting room. "Now now, dear," she said, "it's important that Dr. Harvey takes a good look at you. He's a nice young man! Behave yourself, for your old wife's sake." She circled him around then had a seat next to him, patting his hand.
"Well, that's my cue to exit," Alma said. "I'll try to come by later.*
"All right then," Harvey said. "See you later, dear."
Outside of the store, Alma saw that today was Leah's birthday. She had a wheel of goat cheese in her bag to sell to Pierre, but Leah struck her as the kind of person who would appreciate a good cheese. So when she went in to sell her produce to Pierre, she made sure to hold on to the cheese to give to Leah later. She thanked Pierre then went toward Clint's shop. She processed some geodes and ordered an upgrade for her hoe. Then she went into the library to donate some of the minerals that came from the geodes. "I know this is more malachite, and this is just iron. But I thought you might be interested in this one."
Gunther held up the stone in his gloved hand. "It's lemon stone. Beautiful, isn't it? It will make a great addition to the collection. Thank you, Alma."
"Of course. I have this for you too. Found it the other day." She pulled out the small book.
Gunther took the thin book and carefully placed it in a container behind his desk. "Still reading the book on goblins?"
"I am. It's fascinating! I actually kind of hope I run into one now."
"You might still. Keep your wits about you."
"Thanks for that," she said with a smirk as she turned to exit. Alma went north to the mines. She took a deep breath as the elevator door opened. Maybe today would be the day she finally made it to the one hundredth level. She stepped onto the elevator and made the descent.
The ninety-fifth level was pretty easy; it didn't take too many rocks before she found the ladder. And on the next level, when she swung her sword to break apart some old wooden chests, she was surprised to see a nice pair of boots inside! They were dark boots, made from thick leather. She hid behind some rocks so she could try them on in safety, and she was surprised that they fit her perfectly! "What miners kept dropping shoes that are my size?!" she asked, changing them back out for her firewalker boots - she liked those better for these hot levels. But she put them in her bag regardless and continued on.
The ninety-ninth level was labyrinthine, winding and winding for what seemed like forever. Alma just wanted to get to the next level! Thankfully, it wasn't too late, so she kept on. And eventually, when she got to the center, there were many chests and barrels that gave her many pieces of ore and even a ruby! But still no ladder. "Where in the world …?" She began chipping at every rock. Finally, on the winding path back toward the entrance of the level, she dug up the ladder down to the next level: Level One Hundred!
Like many levels before, this one had a chest in the middle of an empty cavern. Alma sighed a breath of relief as she dropped from the ladder and approached the treasure. She wondered what would be inside this time. And when she opened it up - because it was, again, unlocked - she was amazed at what was inside: a juicy stardrop! "Oh no way!" She pulled it out and looked it over. It seemed to be fresh! No bad spots, no mold … not even any dirt! It was as if someone had just placed it there. She hesitated as she brought it to her mouth; should she trust it? But she remembered the amazing experience she had from eating one at the fair. She certainly needed a boost now. So, yes, she brought it to her lips and took a big bite. And just like at the fair, as soon as the juice from the fruit went down her dry throat, she had an almost out-of-body experience: the air around her pulsated in a purple haze, she could hear a low hum in her ears, and her mind was filled with memories of a new life. She closed her eyes and felt a new wave of energy come over her. Then she opened her eyes and took a deep breath. As the moment passed, she looked over and couldn't believe what she saw: another ladder down. "You've got to be kidding me," she mumbled. She half hoped that this would be it. But still, the mineshaft continued on. It would have to wait for another day, though, she thought as she walked toward the elevator. She pushed the button, entered the elevator, and rode it all the way back to the surface.
It was nearly eleven o'clock, so it would be too late to give Harvey a visit except to hit a rock up at his window to let him know she was safe. But as she walked into town and passed the tavern, she remembered: "Leah!" She remembered the cheese she had saved in her bag to give to Leah for her birthday! Maybe it wasn't too late …. She rushed into the saloon and breathed a sigh of relief to see Leah sipping on a glass of wine in the corner. "I'm so glad you're still here!" Alma said as she approached.
"Oh yeah? And why's that?" Leah half-laughed. Alma reached into her bag and pulled out the slice of fresh goat cheese.
"Happy birthday, neighbor."
Leah gasped as she took the cheese. "You remembered my birthday!"
"Well, don't be too flattered. I nearly forgot," she chuckled.
Leah took a big whiff of the cheese and let out a happy exhale. "Thank you. This is great."
"No problem. It's fresh from the cheesemaker just this morning!"
"It will go great on my toast tomorrow morning," she said with a smile.
"Glad to hear it. Now," Alma said, pulling her bag tight on her shoulders again, "I should probably get home. Have a good night!"
"Goodnight, Alma! Thanks again!"
Alma waved goodbye to the saloon regulars on her way out then stopped by the clinic and pulled out her slingshot. She hit a rock up at Harvey's window, and he came quickly. "Hi there," she called up.
"Oh! Hello, Alma. Do you … have any medical questions?"
"Just wanted to let you know I'm on my way home. Guess what was on the hundredth level!"
"Hundredth - " Harvey reeled back as if the information literally hit him. "I can't believe you've gone down s-so far! I couldn't imagine what was down there."
"A stardrop!"
"And you ate it?!" His voice was filled more with shock and concern than the amazement Alma hoped for.
"It looked fine. It didn't have any mold or anything."
"Oh, well, that makes me feel m-much better, thanks for that." Alma couldn't help but laugh. "Drink lots of water tonight, and come see me at the clinic tomorrow morning if you have any bowel problems, okay? Food poisoning by fruit is no fun."
"Yes, Doctor," Alma said flatly but with her lips still curved in a smile. "Goodnight then."
"Goodnight, honey. I love you. Be safe!"
"Love you too!" she called as she began to walk away. She tucked her hands into her coat pockets as she walked down the path. Harvey closed his window but watched until she was out of sight.