Tiger Eye - Sam (Stardew Valley)

24

Sam

---

Fall 24

He examined his own face in the mirror.

His swollen, black eyes, the exhaustion behind them. Confusion and anger blinding him.

He looked at his jaw and his cheeks - he's hollowed out.

His collar bones protruded, his once lean body bordering on skeletal.

He wanted one last look at this version of him, something to look back on. Something to mark his growth.

His lamp lit up his room with an orange glow, the sun having yet to rise.

His eyes finally landed on the photos he had tucked in the corners of his mirror. Delicately, he took the one of Wren, tucking it into his journal.

He looked at his bags. Willy told him to pack light, but was it too light?

He had his guitar along with too duffle bags. Was that too heavy?

A soft knock on his bedroom door startled him. He reached for his shirt, pulling it over his head quickly.

"Yeah?" He called, peeking out.

Jodi stood with a soft smile, extending him a cup of coffee.

"Remember when we would get you up for school? Back when it was just me and you, and every friday, we'd have cinnamon buns?" She smiled at him, a mix of hope and pain across her face.

"I do." He responded, giving her a soft smile.

"I made you cinnamon buns." She whispered, leading him out to the kitchen.

It was bitter sweet.

It had been years since it was just him and his mom, a time everything felt so simple, when he felt young and carefree. He felt hints of that as he sat and ate with her in silence.

He just wished it was under different circumstances. 

He pushed down the fact he wouldn't see Vincent until he was home. It killed him knowing that for the next three weeks, Vince will only have the image of him as his father.

That was his motivation. No more hiding, no more ignoring. He had to stop the cycle. He had to be better for his boy.

***

"...and your allergy medication? You don't know what kind of plants you're gonna-" Jodi continued rambling as Sam gathered his bags at the door. It made him happy that she cared so much, but knew she was trying to drag out their goodbye.

"Yes! I triple checked everything. Don't worry. I'm gonna be okay." He tried to hold his voice steady, smiling down at her.

He was terrified.

Not of the water, or of Willy. Of being so secluded, so much time to be left inside his own head.

"Okay. Are you sure you don't need help carrying your stuff down?" She asked, reaching for a bag from his hand, to which he yanked it away.

"I got it. I have to go now. I love you, mom. Tell Vince I love him too." He spoke quietly.

He watched as her lip shook.

"Okay." She said quietly, pulling him into a hug.

"I love you, Sammy. It's okay for you to grow." She whispered, resulting in a small laugh from Sam.

As he walked through town, he didn't want to look around. He didn't want to be sappy or sentimental. It was three weeks. Not much can change in three weeks.