In about two hours Grandpa and I will be moving to Weesenia, the biggest city near our forest home. I’m excited, but I have to admit I’m also a little nervous.

I guess it’s a bunch of things. It’s not my first time in a carriage or my first trip outside the woods, but it’s never been for something as huge as starting a new life far from where I grew up.

What calms me—and lets me look forward to it—is knowing this change is good for Grandpa too.

Oh! Right—I almost forgot. I need to say goodbye to my parents. Yesterday I asked Grandma Anna to keep tending their graves while I’m gone. This won’t be the last time I visit; I plan to come back and tell them everything I’ve done. I hope they’ll be proud of me…

I grabbed the bouquet Grandpa picked this morning and ran to the tree where my parents are buried.

I wonder if they’ll be upset that we’re leaving… Will they feel lonely? At least Grandma Anna will visit them, but still…

After a short run I reached the graves, knelt, and looked at the stones.

“Dad, Mom… Grandpa and I are moving to the city. We’re not just going for errands—we’ll live there, so we’ll be gone a long time.

“But don’t worry. I’ll come back, and Grandma Anna will bring you news about me and take care of you. You won’t be alone—I promise!”

I divided the bouquet between their vases.

“When I return, I’ll already be a proper young man! You’ll be proud of me—I swear.”

I kissed both headstones, stood up, and whispered, “See you later…”

Then I ran back toward the cabin, wiping tears from my cheeks with my little arms.

I really… really was happy here.

The lake, the blackberry tree, my parents, Grandma Anna, the little ants, the night sky, the flowers, the cabin—my whole life here.

I’ll carry it all with me so I can grow and become even better than I am now.

When I got back, Grandpa was still tying up boxes. Off under a tree stood a man in a black hat, wool clothes, and a green jacket—Donald, the driver who’ll take us to Weesenia.

I walked up and looked him in the eye. He blew smoke aside and smiled, ruffling my hair.

“All set, Finn? Ready to go?”

I nodded, then glanced at his pipe.

“What’s that?”

“This? Uh, trash—and bad trash at that.”

“Trash? Why’s it smoking?”

“Well, I use this trash to relax when I’m stressed.”

“Interesting! Can I try?”

“Nope. Not for little kids like you, and besides, it could hurt you. If you ever want to try it, wait till you’re an adult like me,” he said with a grin.

An adult, huh… If I were an adult, I’d be as big as Grandpa and as charming as Anna. First I have to grow and for that I need… one, two, three… well, a few more years.

“Oh… okay.”

“Finn, Donald!” Grandpa called.

We both looked over; he’d finished packing.

“All set. Help me load the carriage, Donald.”

Donald nodded. He and Grandpa each grabbed some boxes. Donald struggled with one, wobbling forward, while Grandpa slung two boxes onto his shoulders like they were stuffed toys—oh right, they are my stuffed toys…

I wanted to prove I’m as strong as Grandpa. Four boxes left—so I went for the biggest one. I managed to lift it a centimeter, shook like mad, and dropped it.

I inhaled and exhaled like I’d just run ten laps around the forest.

“Hoho, what’s wrong, Finn?” Grandpa asked, coming over.

“N-nothing, I was out running and, uh… y-yeah, that…”

“Uh-huh, sure,” his face said “whatever you say.”

He and Donald grabbed another load—Grandpa the huge box, Donald the two small ones. This time Donald didn’t wobble—those must be light…

I sighed and noticed my own pack was still inside: just Grandpa’s tools. I slung it on.

“All set!”

Grandpa shouldered the big pack.

“All right, Finn, time to roll.”

“Yeah!” My eyes sparkled.

We climbed into the carriage. A new start… I’m so excited—I’ll meet kids my age! First I’ll talk about ants, then our toys, then tons about food. Yes! I’m sure of it.

The carriage rumbled off and I drifted into thoughts of the future.

“Nervous, Finn?” Grandpa asked.

I shook my head, smiling. “Not anymore—I’m just excited!”

“I’m glad to hear it.” He dropped his gaze, looking a little wistful.

“You nervous?”

“Not at all. It’s just… I’m leaving a lot behind. Even when you’re ready, saying goodbye hurts if you’re tied to a place.”

Right—Grandpa’s giving up a lot too. That cabin isn’t just our home; it’s decades of memories. I hope it’s not the end of Grandpa’s new memories.

---

Two days later

Torrential rain. Grandpa predicted it—of course he was right. In twenty minutes we should reach the city. Good thing; I already ate all the cookies Anna packed…

The trip was boring. Well, except I counted all the farts Grandpa let loose—if the carriage weren’t well aired I’d have died young.

…Wait, wait, wait!

I can see them—Weesenia’s walls! Still a few minutes off, but huge. Grandpa told me about them, yet seeing them is something else.

Ten minutes crawled by like hours, but at last we neared the gate. City noise rolled over us.

Grandpa put his backpack on; I did the same.

“Louie, I’ll drop you on the corner near the tavern—got errands to run!” Donald called.

“That’s fine, thanks,” Grandpa answered.

Donald let us off. A long-haired, brown-haired man waited—Anna’s nephew, probably.

“You must be Louie and Finn, right?” he said with a smile.

Grandpa hopped down. “That’s us. Pleased to meet you.”

“Pleasure’s mine. I’m Jay—Jay Ashwood. My aunt’s letter says you can do a bit of everything. That’s great—we need maintenance at the tavern.”

“Oh, so I’m not tending bar?”

“Correct. Furniture is pricey and we plan to expand, so your skills help a lot.”

“Well, making things is my specialty.”

“Good to hear! Let’s unload.”

I jumped down and helped with the small boxes. Donald hurried—he had to leave.

When we were done, Donald waved and rode off.

“Wait here, okay?” Jay ran toward the tavern.

Grandpa placed a hand on my back, smiling.

“What do you think of Jay?”

“Hmm… I haven’t talked to him yet, but he seems nice.”

“Always keep a bit of skepticism when you meet someone,” Grandpa said.

“‘Skepticism’… such weird words, Grandpa.”

“Heh-heh.”

I peered around: crowds, fruit stalls, trinkets…

Jay came back pushing a handcart. “Sorry—got this to move your luggage.”

“That’s great,” Grandpa said.

They loaded the cart—Grandpa taking the heaviest box, Jay stacking others; I grabbed the smallest.

“All right, let’s go,” Jay smiled, then offered, “I can push—”

Grandpa shook his head. “I’ve got it.”

At the tavern

A big red building—living quarters included.

“Woah!” I gasped.

Jay laughed. “Glad you like it. I used to live here, but after buying my own place I turned the rooms into staff housing: private bedrooms, a separate kitchen for residents, shared lounge, and, well, shared showers.”

“Wait—do I have to poop in front of people?!”

Grandpa stifled a laugh. Jay burst out laughing. “No, no, toilets are private, don’t worry!”

Phew… I couldn’t poop happily with strangers watching—ugh.

We entered through the back door into the lounge. Four men were chatting; they looked up.

“You must be the new folks,” said a bearded bald man.

“That’s right—I’m Louie D’Amelio, and this is my grandson, Finn.”

I hid behind Grandpa—meeting new people is scary…

“I’m Ruth Benso, the cleaner,” the bald man said.

“I’m Moore Hagan, barkeep,” said a short-haired man of about thirty-two.

“Hohoho! Alan Wrecked at your service—cook!” announced a short fellow with long hair, a belly, and a beard to match.

“Wayne Van Hasselof, second barkeep—nice to meet you,” finished the blond, green-eyed young man.

Just then I sensed another pair of eyes. I glanced sideways—someone vanished behind a door.

Grandpa bowed slightly. “A pleasure to meet you all. I’ll handle maintenance.”

“No need for formality—we’re all equals,” Ruth chuckled.

Alan scooped up two boxes easily. “Let me help with these.”

“Thanks.” Grandpa smiled.

“Great!” Jay said. “Louie, Finn, follow me to your room.”

Grandpa took my hand; Ruth and Alan followed with luggage. We climbed to the floor just below the roof. Jay unlocked a large, tidy room.

“This used to be Ruth’s, but he bought a house. I’m glad it has new tenants.”

“Eheh,” Ruth chuckled.

Bathroom, bathroom! Found it behind that door—tiny and plain, but still awesome!

“Finn, I’ll unpack. How about you explore?”

“Okay!”

I hurried off—and there it was again, that gaze. I turned, blocked the door with my arm, and pushed it open.

“Gotcha! You were—”

W-wait… i-it’s a girl!

And a really cute one…

“H-hi… I’m—”

“You’re disgusting.” Slam! She shut the door in my face.

“Eh…?”

What happened? Am I that ugly?

“Finn?” Wayne’s voice drifted up the stairs.

“S-sir Wayne! Someone was here and slammed—”

“Oh? Ah, must’ve been Ashie,” he chuckled.

“Ashie?”

“Yeah, my—”

The door burst open and the small child ran out, leaping into Wayne’s arms.

“Daddy! That boy tried to come in!” the child shouted, pointing at me.

“Hey! I just wanted to say hi!”

“Sweetheart, Finn’s new here—he meant no harm,” Wayne said.

“Whatever, he’s gross!” the kid stuck out their tongue and buried their face in Wayne’s shoulder.

“W-well… you’re a very rude little girl!”

“Who are you calling a girl, you hairy ape?!”

Wayne laughed. “Bit of a mix-up… Ashie isn’t a girl—he’s a boy.”

“Eh… eh—WHAT?!”

A boy? H-he’s—he’s a boy?!

And so begins Finn’s first adventure as a city boy—

and his first failed case of love at first sight.