Ran

It is the fifth day of Autumn. Every year on this day, Dudley usually closes the inn and takes the day off to go up to Mother’s Hill. He goes up there to think about his wife and reflect on what has happened through the year since his last visit. This year, he goes to the Mineral Town church for the first time in decades. In the graveyard, he finds where his wife has been buried. It’s hard for him to believe that this is only the second time he has been there since she was laid to rest.

Her tombstone is old and worn from years of neglect. Rain and snow have made it hard to read his wife’s name. Vines, grass, and moss has grown over. He can’t change the fact that he let his wife’s grave end up like this, but he can take some time to clean it now. Once he can clearly read his wife’s name etched on the marble gravestone, he places a bouquet of flowers in front of it. He wishes that he visited more often but facing it has been hard on him all these years.

After mentally preparing himself, he takes a deep breath. He is finally ready to speak to his wife at her resting place to share all the news about their daughter Ran and everything that happened.

“Hello my love. It has been a long time since I’ve been here. I try to speak to you at the top of Mother’s Hill since I am much closer to the heavens than the church. So much has happened since you were taken away from us. Ran was so young when it happened, she doesn’t even remember what it was like to have you around. But I remember. I still treasure every moment we’ve spent together

“Trust me, it’s been really hard without having you around. The only thing that kept me together was Ran. No matter how much I’ve missed you, Ran has always been there to help me feel better. Our daughter has been simply amazing all these years. She has been so bright and cheerful, all the guests at the inn love her so much. In return, she takes great care of them with her love of cleaning and hospitality. In that way, she is just like you.

“I was a bit worried that she might not have cared about growing up without a mother. She became a real tomboy and hangs out with the guys like Duke and Saibara. She never talks about you in front of anyone, and quickly changes the subject once anyone brings it up. But one night when I went by her room to talk to her, I found her crying while holding a photo of you. She doesn’t know that I saw that. All that time I thought she forgot about you, but the truth was that she misses you very much too. She’s been strong for me but hides her own feelings. That way she can focus on the inn and her father.

“She’s now a beautiful young woman. Long carrot colored hair in a cute ponytail, a smile that can brighten up a room, and a caring personality. But she became even more of a tomboy. Because of that, I started to worry about her love life. Most single men in Mineral Town likes a more feminine type of girl. I thought about the possibility that she might end up single forever without the chance of a family of her own. I was getting older, and I wanted someone who can love and take care of her unconditionally once I’m gone. Most importantly, someone who can see all the great things about her.

“My worries came to an end when two young men started to spend some time with her. There was a young traveler who works at the winery named Cliff and the grandson of the old farmer named Yuto. They both were close friends of Ran, but I hoped that they would become something more. I watched them closely as any concerned father would.

“At first, I thought Cliff would be the one to take Ran’s hand in marriage. When he first arrived in Mineral Town, he was only supposed to stay a year. But he got a job at the winery and settled in town. He is pretty quiet, but a good hardworking man. Ran was able to get him to open up and be a little more social. Because of that, they became close friends.

“Ran and Cliff did date for a brief moment. But they couldn’t get along after a season. I am not sure what happened but Ran just came home one day and rushed to her room crying. I asked her what happened, and she said they broke up. I admit that I couldn’t handle watching Ran so upset. I wanted to grab Cliff and give him a piece of my mind. But Ran was able to stop me from doing anything I would regret. Cliff was a guest at the inn, and I couldn’t let my feelings get in the way of our job. How would the other guests feel if I had a confrontation with him? Our inn would lose its reputation. I did hate the idea of letting him stay in the inn, but Ran was always the hero. I have no idea what I would do without our daughter.

“Ran continued to be upset, but Yuto started to come by to comfort her. Even though he was always busy at his farm, he still made time for Ran. I admit that I didn’t like the idea that another man was spending so much time around her so soon. I don’t know what I would do if another guy broke her heart again. I started to relax a bit once I noticed a glow in Ran when Yuto came by. Even though I was a bit nervous, I needed to remember that Ran is an adult. I had no choice but to let things play out, but I was always nearby in case she needed her father.

“I remember that day when I overstepped a bit. Yuto came by and I asked him what he thought about my daughter. We talked like men for a good hour or so until Ran came down and saw us. She asked what was going on, and Yuto accidentally let the cat out of the bag. Ran got mad at me and ran off. I wanted to go after her, but Yuto insisted that he go and clear things up. He brought Ran back home and allowed me to explain myself. She forgave me, and I had Yuto to thank for that. That day, I learned to trust him.

“Soon enough, Ran and Yuto went out of their first date. I know I said that I wanted our daughter to find love, but it broke my heart watching them leave the inn that day. I remember that night clearly, the inn was quiet and lonely. So many thoughts flooded my mind as I waited for her to come home. Can you blame me? I know that I wanted Ran and Yuto to be more than friends, but then I started to think about the day Ran might get married. I had to face the idea that I would have to live my life without our daughter. It feels silly now, but I was scared imagining a time when Ran would move out of the inn. It has been only me and Ran for such a long time, I had no idea how to live without my baby.

“Ran came home safe and sound that night. I remember the look on her face clearly. She was in love with Yuto and couldn’t wait for him to confess with the preserved flower. I was happy that she was feeling this way, but my chest also felt empty. It felt like I was about to lose my only daughter. But even so, I still smiled and wished the best for both of them. I never did tell her how I felt that day she was out of her date.

“Yuto finally confessed with the preserved flower a week later. They ran off somewhere to discuss things, then Ran and Yuto came back as a couple. I was excited for them, yet sad at the same time. She did notice the sad look in my eye. She just embraced me and told me that no matter what happens, I will always be her baby girl. I wept as I held her and told her that I will always be there to support her too.

“Yuto started coming around the inn more often since then. Even though he was always busy with the farm, he still found time to come by and help Ran around the inn to make time for them to hang out. Having him around so much felt like having a son. He even started having dinner with us most nights. It felt nice having them share stories of the farm and the inn at the dinner table. I only wish that you were with us.

“Ran and Yuto found the old music box you gave her when she was a baby. It stopped working a long time ago but Ran still treasured it all this time. I was shocked to learn that Ran gave it to Yuto. He then had it fixed like new. Now they sit together and listen to it play from time to time. When I hear it, it brings me back to a time before Ran was born and we were dancing to it ourselves. It sometimes brings a tear to my eye.

“Time passed quickly as Ran and Yuto’s love grew. About a year after confessing to Ran, Yuto got his hands on a blue feather. You should have seen the look on Ran’s face when he got down on one knee and ask Ran to marry him. She cried tears of joy as she said yes. I couldn’t be any happier for them.

“That week preparing for the wedding was crazy. Everything had to be perfect. I remember so many times that Ran was acting crazy getting her dress just right. Sometimes she would just pace around the inn wondering if getting married was the best idea. They were young and making such a commitment was terrifying. But I was there to comfort her and made sure the wedding was as perfect as possible. I had to prepare too, I needed to give our daughter away soon after all.

“The wedding was beautiful! Ran’s pure white dress reminded me of our wedding day. I did my best to hold back tears as I walked her down the aisle. I almost lost it when Carter asked who was going to give the bride away. Letting go of her was so hard, but Ran was a grown woman now. It was Yuto’s turn to take care of her. So I watched proudly as Yuto and Ran said their wedding vows and exchanged their rings.

“Ran moved into the farm with Yuto after the wedding. The inn got strangely quiet and lonely after Ran left to her new home. Of course, they came back every afternoon top help out around the inn and eat dinner. Having them over is nice, but it never felt the same. I am happy that Ran married the love of her life, but it felt like I’ve lost the other woman I love in a way. I feel so much better when she comes back to the inn, even if it’s only for a few hours.

“Ran started to eat like crazy after some time. Of course, I remember a time when you started doing that. After I talked to Yuto about it, we took her to the clinic to have her checked out. As I thought, she was pregnant with our grandchild. I smiled as I watched them celebrate the news. Our family was growing, and I couldn’t wait to be a part of it.

“During the pregnancy, Ran stayed at the farm more often. She did come over at least once a week to update me on what’s happening. Yuto came over every day to help support me at the inn. I was a bit worried during those three seasons, but it brought me so much joy watching him support our daughter. I knew she chose the right man.

“Our grandson was born last Winter. The delivery was perfect, and he came out in great health. When I looked into his eyes, I can see a little bit of you in there. I cried tears of joy the first time I held him. We all then walked the new addition of our family back to the farm together.

“Well, I guess that’s all that happened since I last seen you. Everyone else in Mineral Town is happy and healthy. Lillia is still ill, but Karen, Popuri, and Rick support her. Jeff still has stomachaches, but that will never change. Our grandson is growing happily. Ran and Yuto help out when they can, but I’ve learned to manage the inn on my own by now. Letting Ran go that day at the wedding was tough, but I am glad that she is happy and proud of her family.”

“There you are dad,” said Ran. Dudley turns around and finds her walking up to him while carrying her son.

He wipes away his tears then says, “hey Ran, everything okay?”

“I was looking for you up Mother’s Hill, but you were not there. I was a little worried.”

Dudley smiles. He then turns to his wife’s grave and says, “I was just talking to your mother. It has been a long time since I’ve been here, but I was just catching her up to everything that happened. Mostly about you. How you’ve grown up into the woman your mother would be proud of. I really wish she was here with us to see how you’ve grown. I miss her so much.”

Ran giggles as she responds, “don’t be silly dad, mom is always with us. Even if we can’t see her, I always feel her watching over us. She knows how great of a dad you’ve been all these years.

“I guess you’re right,” said Dudley. He then embraces his daughter and grandchild as he looks at his wife’s grave. They then return to the inn where Yuto waits for them and continue living as one happy family.

The End.