A New Beginning
The room was dimly lit the only source of warmth coming from a small fireplace in the corner. Cass frozen at the foot of an old wooden bed, staring at the frail man lying beneath a heavy quilt. Her grandfather. His breathing was slow, labored but his eyes still held the kindness she remembered.
He lifted a shaking hand and motioned for her to come closer.
“My dear Cass, on the day you feel crushed by the burden of modern life…”
She swallowed hard, taking a step forward.
“And your bright spirit fades before a growing emptiness…”
His voice was weak but steady, each word settling deep in her chest. She clenched her fists feeling the weight of his words before he even finished.
“When that happens, my dear, you’ll be ready for this gift.”
With great effort, he reached toward the nightstand and rested his hand on a sealed envelope.
“Now, let Grandpa rest.”
Cass’s vision blurred, the edges of the room twisting like smoke. The warmth of the fireplace flickered out, and her grandfather's form faded into the darkness.
She woke up with a sharp inhale, the memory of his words clinging to her like morning fog.
Cass jolted awake, heart pounding. The dream clung to her refusing to fade. She was in her small, dimly lit apartment, the hum of the city outside reminding her of the life she had built...or rather endured.
The morning routine was the same as always: stale coffee, a hurried commute, the dull ache of fluorescent lights overhead as she sat in a gray cubicle, drowning in meaningless spreadsheets.
Then she saw it.
Tucked away in the bottom drawer of her desk underneath paperwork and forgotten receipts, was an old envelope.
Her breath hitched as she pulled it out, fingers tracing the familiar handwriting.
‘To my dearest Cass.’
She unfolded the letter with trembling hands.
“If you’re reading this, then you must be in dire need of a change.”
Her grandfather’s words from the dream. Word for word.
“The same thing happened to me, long ago… I’d lost sight of what truly mattered.”
Cass’s eyes burned as she kept reading.
"So, I dropped everything and moved to the place I truly belong.
I've enclosed the deed to that place—my pride and joy: Moo & Grow Farm. It’s located in Stardew Valley, on the southern coast. It’s the perfect place to start your new life. This was my most precious gift, and now it's yours. I know you'll honor the family name, my dear.
Good luck. Love, Grandpa."
She clutched the letter to her chest, her heart pounding.
Something inside her shifted. Snapped.
Before she could think, she stood up.
“I quit.”
Heads turned. Her manager blinked at her from his office doorway, mouth slightly open. “Cass, are you feeling alright?”
“No.” She let out a breathless laugh, shaking her head. “No, I’m really not.”
She grabbed her bag, tucked the letter safely inside, and walked out before anyone could stop her.
For the first time in years, she felt alive.
Cass barely remembered the bus ride. She had been running on adrenaline, staring out the window as the towering buildings faded into rolling hills and open skies.
The driver, a kind older woman named Evelyn, called out, “Next stop—Stardew Valley!”
As Cass stepped off the bus, she was greeted by Mayor Lewis, a friendly older man with a welcoming smile, and Robin, a red-haired carpenter who greeted her with enthusiasm.
“You must be Cass! Welcome to Stardew Valley!” Lewis said warmly.
Robin grinned. “We’ve been expecting you! C’mon, I’ll take you to your new home.”
The walk to the farm was… surprising.
I had imagined a charming, well-kept homestead. Instead, I found a mess of overgrown weeds, scattered debris, and a dilapidated farmhouse that looked like it hadn’t seen a broom in years.
Cass stared. “Oh.”
Robin chuckled. “Yeah, it’s gonna need some work, but hey, that’s part of the fun, right?”
Lewis patted her shoulder reassuringly. “It may not look like much now, but your grandfather loved this farm. I’m sure with a little dedication, you’ll make it shine again.”
Cass swallowed her doubts, but they lingered, gnawing at the edges of her resolve. Was she really ready for this? What if she had just made the worst mistake of her life? Still, she clenched her fists and took a steadying breath.
This was her decision. No turning back now.
Cass spent her first afternoon wandering Pelican Town, meeting the locals. Some were welcoming, like Emily, the cheerful blue-haired bartender who gave her free bread at the saloon.
“Welcome to town! If you ever need a drink...or just a place to unwind...come find me!”
Others, however, were… less enthusiastic.
Like Haley.
Cass had been walking past the fountain when she overheard two sisters talking.
“Emily, she’s so scruffy...looking,” Haley muttered, crossing her arms. “Like, does she even know what a hairbrush is?”
Cass cleared her throat. Both sisters turned. Emily’s expression was apologetic; Haley just looked unimpressed.
“Oh. You must be the new farmer,” Haley said flatly, flipping her blonde hair over her shoulder. “Great. More dirt.”
Cass raised an eyebrow but held her tongue. No use picking a fight on her first day.
That evening, Cass stood in the middle of her overgrown farm, a rusty hoe in one hand and a packet of parsnip seeds in the other. The reality of her situation sank in. She had no idea what she was doing.
Still, she took a deep breath and dug the first hole. Then another. And another.
By nightfall, she had planted a small row of crops. It wasn’t much, but it was hers.
For the first time in a long time, she felt like she was exactly where she needed to be.
She finally feels like she is LIVING.