Chapter 1: A New Beginning
My wife, isn't she amazing? There is nothing about her I would change. After marrying me, she moved onto my little plot of freedom near the waterfall. All we owned was a bed to sleep in.
At first, I was embarrassed to eat at the gym. Those that knew me didn't say a word, but I could feel their judgment radiating off of them as the would silently leave when I entered a room. My guess is they felt that Mother would make things difficult for them if they showed me any kindness. They were wrong of course, any estrangement was mostly on my part. I was too stubborn and refused to allow any negative treatment of my wife. Until they accepted her as a part of mine, I didn't want them in my life.
The family came to visit the waterfall. I was working on my garden at the time, Brie was at work. She was now a Spice Runner at the local Bristo in town. I could feel the heat of Mother's gaze, but I would not even acknowledge them. I blame my temper, if only I knew how easy it would have been to gain forgiveness and forget. Perhaps Mother would have even accepted Brie now that I had gone and married her. I would never know.
Malcolm was the one who had called me to give me the news. Mother had died in her sleep peacefully. I of course felt shock, she was still so young. With the three grandchildren running around, I figured it would keep her young, even at 83. Malcolm told me that Father was taking it very hard, and asked if I would visit. I promised I would try my best when I got some time off at the stadium.
After a few weeks of hard work and a couple of promotions, Brie and I were able to buy more then a few pieces of furniture. We still visited the gym as much as we could, but with the garden now giving us plenty of vegetables and fruit, we mooched less and less food from the fridge there.
Though a couch potato at heart, Brie made use of the gym when I was working a different shift schedule then her. "It's easy to do when you don't own a couch!" She jested.
I know she meant it in fun, but it still stung. I continued to work as hard as I could. I was trying to get those promotions so I could be part of the team, not someone who watched on the sidelines as Malcolm tore into our opponents. He made me proud even though our conversations were always brief and very awkward. He would ask if I was coming to visit, to see him and Bella. I asked if Brie would be welcome, and then the two of us would slip into silence.
On her next promotion, Brie bought me a sprinkler to help keep the plants watered. "This way you don't have to work on it so much!" The sight of her in a bikini made it even better as a gift.
In the mornings she always made sure I had breakfast, and a kiss goodbye. She was by far the best decision I ever made. While things were currently stressful, and I often doubted my decisions to leave, she would remind me why I had left my life of luxury. I loved her, and would change nothing if it meant I could not be with her.
One night while she slept, I set out this gift guitar for her. She always talked about how she wished she had one to play at the park. I had purchased it after selling some of my fruit to the local grocery store. It had been on sale at a local pawnshop, but she didn't seem to even notice.
When she found it in the morning, she squealed her delight as she threw her arms around me. Brie then began to strum away, making me smile. Her talent was apparent.
Before I knew it, she was good enough to make some money at the park when she wasn't working at the restaurant. I secretly think she wished she could do it all the time. In fact, she started to get a little bit of a following.
Holly Alto was there every night to listen to her play, giving her some simoleons. While it wasn't much, it did help us be able to make a little 'shed' as Brie called it. We now had our own toilet and shower to go with the rest of our stuff.
I, of course, was always there when I could make it after work. After all, I was her biggest fan.
After a few more promotions, we celebrated the only way we could afford: at home in bed. I worried about if she got pregnant, but Brie would laugh it away. "Even if a baby did come along, we could afford it somehow."