Intoxicated (Stardew Valley)

Chapter Ten

COLD, BUT FRESH air drifted around Pelican Town as spring receded and fall came into view. The green tint of the bushes and trees started to turn different shades of red, orange, and yellow, while leaves floated as the wind took them west.

The whole town was doing their usual routines: walk around, say hello, work, and repeat. I, on the other hand, walked with a skip in my step and a huge grin on my face as I logged around with my heavy tools.

"Morning, Mr. Lewis!" I called out to the old man who had put up a new poster on the bulletin board. He nodded in response.

I walked past and saw Alex standing by the wall of his house, throwing his gridball in the air.

"Try it on me!" I shouted to him with my arms wide open. Alex seemed hesitant but threw it across and I successfully caught it. I tossed it back and he gave me a thumbs up.

I continued my path down toward Emily's house—whistling as I did so—and saw Jodi and Sam along the way.

"Hello, farmer!" Jodi beamed at me.

"You're extremely happy today," Sam said with an exaggerated tone and a look of disbelief on his face. "Should I be worried?"

I gave him a wink. "Nope. I guess it's the new season that gave me all this excitement!"

In truth, it wasn't just the change of weather—fall was my favorite season, after all—but it was also the change in Shane's attitude. He would smile more often, have friendly conversations with people, and even hang around town in places other than JojaMart or the Saloon!

It was nice to think that someone like him, who was so miserable at the beginning, had changed so much.

I was happy for Shane. Truly and utterly happy.

Sam saw my face and smiled. "You look great when you're happy. Anyway, you're coming to the Saloon this evening, right? Everyone will be there."

"You know it!" I nodded eagerly.

This town was so welcoming and I found myself always going to the Saloon after hours, hanging out with everyone and simply talking about what was happening. Especially on Friday's, when the whole town will be there. Even Shane.

"See you there!" With one glance, Sam and his mother walked off.

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Marnie's red ranch quickly came into view as I walked closer. The cows came over to the fence and I petted them gingerly at the spot right below their ear. After having raised my own barn animals, I knew many of their secrets.

I opened the front door and stepped in, the smell of wood and flowers filling my nostrils. Marnie got up from her chair behind the desk and waved.

"Ah! Great to see you again, Mae!" she said as I walked up. "Shane's not here yet. He's still at work."

My face reddened and I stared in surprise. "I—um, I wasn't going to ask about him."

Marnie simply nodded her head with a smirk on her face. "Please, Mae. I saw that subtle glance you made toward his room."

I coughed and straightened my back. "Ahem. Anyway, I came here to talk about purchasing some animals. What do you think?"

"You definitely should! What animals would you like?"

We talked for a bit until I decided to buy two more pigs and a rabbit. Just as I was about to give in my gold to Marnie, they slipped out of my hand and clattered to the ground behind the desk.

Marnie was about to bend down to grab them, but I quickly said, "Oh! You stay there. I'll pick them up." And so I walked behind the desk where Marnie was and began picking up the gold coins.