Part 5: Heavenly Blue Skies

Summer 4, 2002

Flora finally met the other girls today. Everything went as expected, which means things went horribly. Muffy and Nami leered at me with malicious intent. You’d think I’ve cheated on them or something. Celia was a bit calmer about it, but you can tell that she was a bit upset. Muffy and Nami just started to lecture me, while Celia and Flora just sat as far away as possible. These two can get pretty scary when they get started. I mean, it’s not even my fault!

I know I said that I am going to stay here in the valley in my dad’s farm, but what am I going to do with this uncontrollable harem? I mean, Muffy and Nami are the instigators. Celia is too shy to do anything. And Flora is just sitting there too confused to know what to think. I wonder if Flora regrets coming back to the valley now.

At least Muffy, Nami, and Celia ended up as friends. It will probably take time for Flora to be accepted as one of them. But still, I am curious to know. . . Why me? I mean, I’m not the only single guy here in the valley. We have Marlin, Gustafa, and Rock running around single. You can add Griffin and Carter to the list, despite being a bit older. Not to mention all the single guys in Mineral Town who are just a quick boat ride away. I can only hope that over time, all these girls can get over me and see that there are plenty of fish in the sea.

Summer 7, 2002

Today, I went over to Romana’s Villa on the top of the hill on the other side of Forget-Me-Not Valley. Romana placed an order for some milk and eggs to be delivered to the villa. I admit that I was pretty intimidated to go up there. I have met Romana before, and she’s a nice enough elderly lady. She’s kind and has a god heart. She always greet me each time she sees me, and shows her appreciation for me running the farm. After all, getting supplies in the valley can be a drag, and my farm supplying the milk and eggs makes life easier for everyone.

The reason I’m even writing this down is because Romana has an odd request for me. You see, there is a young girl who lives in the villa with her. Her name is Lumina, her granddaughter. I have seen her around the valley before, but we have never really spoken to each other. She usually hangs near the villa and keeps to herself. I’ve often find her just spacing out staring into the blue sky for whatever reason. I have said “hi” to her before. She just responds “hello” in a sad tone, then looks away. Other than that, I just leave her alone.

For whatever reason, Romana asked me to escort her back to her home town. Romana usually goes with her, but she is getting too old to travel that far. She can’t walk too much, and she’s been sitting on her rocking chair more often to rest. Lumina turned eighteen last Spring, so she can travel by herself. But Romana wants someone she trusts to go with her and keep her company. As far as why she chose me, I have no idea.

I am also surprised that she is eighteen years old. I assumed she was a few years younger, I mean she is a bit shorter than the other girls here in the valley. She also wears a white shirt, blue jeans, and pink sneakers. Things I usually seen high school girls wear. I guess when when I’ve dealt with older women, Lumina seems younger by comparison.

I have no idea why, but I decided to help Romana by escorting Lumina. I guess I feel bad for Romana, so I wanted to help in any way I can. She never told me where we were going, or what Lumina is supposed to do while she is there. All I know is that we are going to her hometown. That’s fine, maybe it’s best I don’t ask too many questions. Whatever that’s going on is none of my business anyway. Just bring her to her hometown, let her do what she needs to do, and bring her back to the valley. A simple favor.

Summer 9, 2002

After I got done with work at the farm, I met up with Romana and Lumina at the dock. I boarded a private boat with Lumina, leaving Romana behind. The ride took a while, it took us to a distant city that I have never been to. I don’t really remember the name of the city, Lumina and I didn’t talk to each other at all. During the boat ride, I just watched her honey brunette hair float with the wind as she stared off into the blue sky. I wanted to ask what she was looking at, but she seemed like she wanted to be left alone.

The boat docked about an hour later. We found a car waiting for us to take us to our destination. I almost felt annoyed, I mean she has a private boat and a private car? How rich is her family anyway? At that moment, I asked myself, “what was the point of me being here?” It almost felt like they were just showing off their wealth, while I slave my life in the farm. I was already there, so I hopped in the car with them and rode off into the city.

The ride through the city was also very quiet. Lumina didn’t say a word to me, all she did was look at the blue sky once again. The driver didn’t say anything either, I wasn’t sure if this was normal for them. But as I sit here at home writing in my journal, I now know why everyone was so quiet.

You see, the car dropped us off at a cemetery. Lumina was given a bouquet of flowers, and she walked inside. I followed her through the rows of graves, kinda reminded me of the times I visited mom and dad’s graves in Atland and Forget-Me-Not Valley. She stopped at a pair of graves in the end of a road. She knelled down and placed the flowers between them. She then lit some incense and placed some in front of each grave. As she prayed for them I started to realize what was happening. Those two graves are her parent’s who passed away some time ago.

Romana knew that I lost my parent’s as well. Dad died in the farm, and mom died back in my hometown. Romana knew that Lumina would be sad and alone visiting her parent’s without her. So she sent me, someone who knows the pain of her loss. Someone who can comfort her. It’s strange, we don’t know each other. But we both have this one thing in common.

Watching her pray brings back so many memories at once. All the happy and sad memories of mom and dad when I was younger. When my family was together and happy. When the family broke apart. Watching my mother die, and lashing out at my dad. Then the day I found out my dad died years later. I grew up feeling alone, and nobody understood my pain. But Lumina, she understands.

I slowly walked up to her, and placed my hand on her shoulder. Like my dad tried to do, so many years ago. I said, “it’s okay, you are not alone. My parent’s died too. I know how much it hurts to lose them, but they are watching us from the heavenly blue skies.”

She then stood up and turned to face me. She looked at me with her hazel eyes hiding behind those honey brunette bangs. My eyes told her my whole life story, and she knew I was telling the truth. We both have that look in our eyes that come from experiencing tragic loss.

She could no longer hold back the tears in her eyes. She embraced me so she can cry on my chest. I was shocked, but I just held her patting on her head like an older brother. She rubbed her face on my shirt as she wept uncontrollably. Romana knew what she was doing, Lumina needed this. To let go of all her pent up sadness with someone who understands how she feels.

Summer 20, 2002

Lumina and I have become great friends since my last entry. Each time I went over to the Villa to make a delivery, she would burst out of her room to chat with me about anything. She usually like to talk about her hobbies, like painting and piano. She is pretty good at the piano if I say so myself, I could see her becoming a talented pianist someday. When I have time, I would listen to her play. She also loves to read, and she would talk about the many books in her collection.

One of her books she talks about a lot is a novel called, “The Snow of Spring”. I have never read it, but she goes on and on about how it makes her think of me. She thinks my name means snow, and I was born in Spring. I laugh, because my mom named me Yuki which means courage. But I just let it go, and let her keep believing that the novel’s name matches my name perfectly. Who am I to trample on her happy thoughts?

Summer 22, 2002

This afternoon, I was having a friendly chat with Celia. Since I live alone and nobody cooks for me, Celia brought me a home cooked meal. Of course, she just wants to show off her cooking in hopes that I will fall for her. These girls in Forget-Me-Not Valley believe that the easiest way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.

Of course, Muffy decides to butt in and try her hand at winning my heart. She can’t cook, so she just goes for a direct approach and ask me out on another date. I just laugh and tell her that I am busier now, but maybe another day I’ll think about it. This has become a daily occurrence, I walk around the valley and get asked out (usually by Muffy).

After they leave, I look to my right and find Lumina standing in the distance. I wave a her, but she looked away digging the heel of her sneaker into the dirt. It was cute seeing her pretend that she didn’t watch me chat with Muffy and Celia. I guess that she was a little jealous that I spent a lot of time with Muffy, Celia, Nami, and Flora who flirt with me every day. I was a bit curious to know what was on her mind, so I walked up to her to see what’s up.

We talked. At first, she kept things simple. She asked about the weather and the farm. But she then casually asked if I was dating any of the girls. I was surprised to hear her ask about my love life. We don’t usually get into that subject when we are chatting in the villa. I mean, there is no way that she could be interested in me as well.

She lives in that huge villa after all with all that money she inherited. I am a simple farmer with little to my name. I know that I am not that much older than she is, but I figure that she would be looking for someone closer to her age. Then again, Muffy and Flora are a bit older than I am. Maybe age isn’t really an issue here in the valley?

I really hope that Lumina isn’t also interested in me. There is nothing wrong with her, but dealing with the other four is enough of a headache. After all, I kinda see her as more of a younger sister type. Someone who I can seek comfort when I start to miss mom and dad. That’s all I need, not anymore complications here in my life as a farmer in Forget-Me-Not Valley.

Fall 5, 2002

I went over to the villa to make my usual deliveries at Romana’s Villa. As I was about to leave, Lumina called me from the second floor. I turned around, and my jaw dropped when I saw her. She was a completely different person!

She elegantly walked down the stairs wearing an olive green and yellow plaid dress. Her hair has been cut to shoulder length, and her loafers made her slightly taller. She even wore a bit of make up and earrings to make her look more pretty and mature. In a matter of a few days, she changed from a younger sister to a beautiful young woman. I blushed a bit, forgetting who she is for a moment.

She walked up to me and asked how she looked. I said she looked great, but I also asked why did she change? She looked away as she explained that she was getting bored with her old look, and she wanted to look more like her mother. But even after saying that, the look in her eyes told another story. The outfit and the look in her eyes was saying that she was in love. Even if she didn’t say that I was the one she liked, that look in her eyes told me everything I needed to know.

I felt kinda bad for her. I mean, she’s so pretty and talented. Why would she waste her feelings on someone like me? Then there are the other four who she will need to compete with. Just thinking about it just stresses me out. I only hope that I am wrong, I would hate to see her get strung up in this mess.

Fall 15, 2002

Lumina came by my farm today. She definitely was dressed to impress as she walked through the gates of my farm. I walked up to her to see what’s on her mind. At first, she was too nervous to say anything. She then found the courage to pull out a box she was hiding behind her back. She heard from the other villagers that I love chocolates, and she decided to give me some as a gift.

I was touched, it was cute to receive gourmet chocolate as a gift. It was sweet of her to ask around to see what I liked. The problem was that I never told anyone about my allergy. You see, I never told anyone that I have a severe allergy to strawberries. I was so excited to get gourmet chocolates, that I forget to ask what was in it.

As soon as I took a bite and tasted the deadly fruit, I knew I was in trouble. The reaction was quick and merciless. My mouth and throat swelled up, and I couldn’t breathe in a matter of minutes. I had Lumina run to the clinic to get Doctor Hardy. I tried to go, but I didn’t get far before I collapsed and nearly suffocated. I got as close to the clinic as I could before passing out.

I woke up a few hours later in the clinic bed. I couldn’t remember what happened, Lumina had to explain so I can write it down in my journal. She sat there next to me as I recovered from my allergic reaction. Doctor Hardy arrived just in time to give me some anti-allergy medicine, I could have died if he were a few seconds too late.

After Lumina explained what happened, she explained that she was glad that I was okay. She tightened her grip on her dress as she said that she wouldn’t be able to forgive herself if something would have happened to me. She even shed a few tears as she apologized. As I looked at her face, I began to think about things. What would have happened if today was my last day on earth.

Tears started to well up in my eyes just before I took a deep breath and started crying uncontrollably. Lumina asked what was wrong, but I was crying too hard to answer. All she could do is embrace me and allow me to cry in her arms. This time it was her turn to try and comfort me, when my emotions couldn’t handle reality and break down.

At first, I didn’t understand why I was so upset today. It wasn’t until I came home to my empty house that I realized what happened to me. When I am alone, I don’t have to worry about anyone other than me. But seeing Lumina so upset that I almost lost my life turned things around. That look she had reminded me of myself when mom and dad died. I can only imagine the other four feeling the same way. I didn’t realize it, but I was already passing the baton to others. I have to stop, before things go too far.

When mom and dad died, I felt alone and sad. If I get married and have children, I could end up passing that grief to someone else. They will feel the same pain I went through. What if something were to happen to my family, and I have to experience it all over again? I don’t want either of those things to happen, I won’t let it.

Fall 20, 2002

Today I learned that Muffy started some sort of unofficial club here in Forget-Me-Not Valley. The club has no name, but it’s a way that Muffy, Celia, Nami, and Flora can get along as friends while pursuing me. It’s funny, they have found a way to compete for the same guy, and still remain friends.

I wonder if they will let Lumina join up with them? I can imagine the five girls hanging out together raising a glass with their one thing in common. Eventually, I will need to tell them that I once again am no longer interesting in a relationship. I wonder if they will remain friends when they find out? I hope so. I don’t know when, and I don’t know how; but sooner than later, I will need to tell them. They will need to understand how I feel. There are plenty of other single men here in the valley after all.

Fall 28, 2002

I am currently sitting on a branch in a tree overlooking my father’s grave as I write this entry. The Fall season is almost over, and I am looking forward to another peaceful Winter. As I stand on this branch overlooking the peaceful valley, I know that this is now my home and my eventual resting place. I hope that my parent’s are in a peaceful place like this.

As I look up to the heavenly blue skies, I can feel them watching over me. Then I look down over the valley, and I want to watch over them as well. They are all good people, and I want to help everyone live peacefully here as long as I keep breathing.

Muffy, Celia, Nami, Flora, and Lumina; five beautiful women with dreams of love and marriage. I hope that each of them find it here in the valley. I will watch over them as each one gets married, raise a family, and build a peaceful life. And I will keep watching over them until it is my turn to reunite with my family, up in the heavenly blue skies.

In loving memory of Ana J. Vicente

March 14, 1958 – February 12, 1997

“Everything is going to be okay, I promise.”