Yes I Am (Story of Seasons)

The Cowboy and The Fanclub

"Mornin', Nami. Don't we look all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed today? Guess that's no surprise. We're off to see your new farm after all. Anybody would be excited 'bout that!" Frank chuckled as he dusted the hay off of his trousers. Today's the day! I'm so excited. I could hardly sleep last night. Whilst I had intended to sleep as early as possible last night so this morning would come quicker, that didn't work out. All I could think about was what today would bring and what my farm would be like.

"I'm so excited!" I grinned. I was much more comfortable in Frank's presence, he had been so welcoming and kind to me during the past few days I have stayed with him even if I had been shy and not the most talkative guest.

"Alrighty. I won't keep ya waiting any longer, then. Let's go." He took his straw hat off of its hook beside the front door and placed it upon his orange mane. "I hope you don't mind, but it'll take a bit of a walk to get there. It's not as close as Megan's farm is to me. It's just outside the gates to Westown."

I was surprised because since I had originally been sent to Westown I assumed that my farm would be located here. "It's okay, I'm sure the walk here every morning will be me nothing but good."

"That's the spirit!" he chuckled and held the door open for me, I had to muster all the self-control in me not to start skipping beside him. What? I was excited, I felt like a kid at Christmas.

The further we walked, the more the fiery orange of the Westown landscape was replaced by lush and wild green fields. After several minutes we arrived at a large vacant field adorned by mint leaves and a few cute critters. Aside from the pathway to Westown, there were three others leading out of the field. The one opposite the gate to Westown had a wooden sign labeled 'farm' beside it. I could feel my heart beat faster, that must be my new home. The other two pathways were blocked by rubble and what must have been parts of old gates. It looked inaccessible. "Why are those gate broken? Do the pathways lead somewhere?" I asked curiously.

Frank wiped his brow and glanced at their direction. "Ah, the gates? Those gates lead the way to the other towns in the area. They're both under construction. They needed some touch-ups. Once they're done, you'll be able to get to the other towns." I was curious what sort of towns laid beyond the gates. Would they be just like Westown in appearance? Maybe I'd be able to eventually befriend the residents there too. At least it'd give me an opportunity to visit more places when the construction would finally be finished.

I began to feel slightly overwhelmed. I had daydreamed of this moment since I was a child but because I spent my life in different cities I never imagined I'd get the opportunity to experience this moment in reality. I looked around the farm carefully, savouring this moment and taking my surroundings in. 

The field was enormous, there was even a small coop and a barn. I couldn't wait to get some livestock of my own to fill them with. I glanced around the land, on a small hill was my hous-

My shed? I glanced around to see if I'd missed the house, the building that was in front of me must have been a tool shed. I couldn't see anywhere else that I was meant to live in...

"Well, here we are. This is your farm. Nice and big, ain't it? This place has always been a farm, but there wasn't anybody to take care of it for the last couple decades. I fixed it up enough to make it livable, but that's about it. Sorry I couldn't put together a nice house for you than this. Farms ain't exactly cheap to clean up, though, y'know? Didn't have that much left to spend on the house itself. But, hey, if ya work hard and save up a little money, you'll be able to renovate it to your heart's content." Frank smiled apologetically.

"Thank you for everything you've done, Frank. There's so much room to do stuff here!" I stood on my tiptoes and hugged him. Whilst the house was small, I knew I could turn it into a home. The farmhouse wore the colour of unfinished wood, weathered for years by harsh elements and baked by the hot summer sun a deep, rich copper. The wood cracked, warped and twisted by a shrinking grain here and there and wore the stains, at predictable intervals, of rusty nails that held it fast. The old farmhouse spoke volumes about hardship and hope, strength and vulnerability – a rich history, determined present, and a hopeful future. It faced the world proudly with a rusted tin roof. Although the house couldn't be described as magnificent, its rugged, frontier charm somehow harmonised with the breathtaking scenery surrounding it. I knew I'd be able to make the most of it. I could see why it took a while for the farm to be ready. I was grateful for all the work Frank had done on it.