Harvesting Acorns

by Deirdré Amy Gower

  She explained about her breakdown and decision that she needed either to leave or lose herself, and how she had just got in her car and later found herself here. When she was done, she felt a great weight had been lifted, just by being able to share with people whom she sensed would understand, and not judge her. She had sat through enough lectures from her parents about ‘needing to do what needs to be done to put food on the table’; and about ‘everyone having to endure parts of their jobs that they might not like’; and, the one that topped it all ‘thinking that she was so special that she could pick and choose the aspects of life she wanted to deal with’. Yes, her family saw her as a failure and told her many times that she was far too impulsive.

  “Well we are glad that you went through all of that, because it brought you here. Sometimes all we need is the kind smile of a new face, and to hear someone else’s story to bring a little extraordinary into the ordinary.” Jean Pierre raised his glass and toasted Chloe and Phoebe.

  “To serendipitous meetings,” cheered Phoebe.

  Chloe stifled a yawn.

  “I am going to excuse myself. Thank you for an amazing evening and delicious dinner. I am off to that snug bed with a book. Good night.” She greeted Jean Pierre and Phoebe stood up to give her a hug.

  “Tomorrow things will start becoming a little clearer for you, I hope. Bonne nuit Chloe!”

  Chapter Three

  The next morning, she sat at her usual breakfast booth with the view of the park. That tree still intrigued her, she had not figured out why yet. She read a magazine while sipping her morning tea. Today she would go back to her usual muesli, yoghurt and fruit with herbal tea for breakfast. After a while she looked out the window. The same little boy from the day before was standing under the tree, again with his cooler box, just looking up into the branches. Now her interest was piqued a bit more. She sat pondering for a while and then Phoebe joined her with her coffee and she was distracted by their conversation and forgot about the little boy.

  But the next few mornings she saw him, around the same time, in the same place – just sitting on his cooler box gazing up into the tree. On the sixth day, she noticed him just as Phoebe brought her tea.

  “Phoebe, do you know the little boy sitting under the giant oak?” she asked.

  “Yes, that is James. He is the grandson of a prominent family in the village. He is such a special little boy. He really has a heart of gold and a genuine affection and consideration that shines. So well-mannered as well, very polite,” Phoebe explained.

  “Do you know why he sits under that tree? And why he has the cooler box?” Chloe asked; trying to sound casually interested as opposed to inquisitive or nosey.

  “To tell you the truth, this is the first time I have noticed. I am ashamed to say I get so busy in here I do not often look out or notice what is going on in the park.”

  Chloe smiled, “Don’t worry, I guess I am just being curious. It is the journalist in me, always trying to read between the lines, look for something that others might not see. It is useful while working. Off duty, it can be a curse.”

  Their conversation turned towards Chloe’s plans.

  “Have you decided if you are going to take up the offer of the job and accommodation?” asked Phoebe.

  “Actually, it is all I have been able to think about for the last few days,” replied Chloe. “This is obviously what fate has in mind for me right now, and so I think I shall accept.”

  “This is wonderful news!” exclaimed Phoebe. “I will contact my friends and invite them over this evening for dinner so that you can meet with them. From there it will be between you and them as to the details.”

  “I would like that, and Phoebe – again, I thank you for looking out for me,” Chloe’s eyes watered up as she said this last part.

  The meeting that evening went very well, Chloe liked Mr and Mrs Taylor very much and knew she would be happy both working for and renting from them. They arranged for her to go and see the apartment the next morning and then to go through to the offices to show her around and let her get a feel of what the company was all about.

  Edward Taylor was in his early fifties, a tall and well-built man with greying hair. He had an authoritative but kind and respectful manner and a deep chuckle that had you laughing along every time. Beth Taylor seemed around the same age and had a calm presence about her. You could tell she adored her husband. The admiration in her gaze when he spoke was unmistakable.

  She was a smart and opinionated woman, but you could tell that she liked her husband to be the leader, her rock, in the marriage. One would not call her submissive by any means; she clearly chose to let him be the dominant one in the relationship. Chloe guessed to balance her strong nature and allow her femininity to shine through. There was no mistaking that she could put anyone in their place, including her husband, in an instant.

  Their interactions were intriguing to watch. Their friendship with Jean Pierre and Phoebe seemed to span a few years and was unmistakably a close and mutually treasured one. By listening to the conversation Chloe had picked up that they had been there for each other through some trying times and also helped each other out by referring potential clients to each other. Edward would book all of his lunch meetings at Tea for Two and would refer any visiting colleagues to the guesthouse. Jean Pierre had in turn referred many of his associates to Edward’s media company for placing of adverts, which was a large source of income for the magazine, as well as writing feature articles on restorative architecture and how to renovate without destroying the original architecture. It was a very mature friendship yet still there was, from time to time, a bit of playful banter and mutual ragging.

  Chloe thought of her own friendships. Her few close friends had been her friends since their school days, so it was based on mutual teenage interests that had long since taken separate paths. They were still really great friends, it was just that their lives had just gone in such different directions that they found it hard to keep up regular meet ups and that they had fewer and fewer things in common as they got older.

  In the morning, Chloe got up early and went for a brisk walk before breakfast. After only a week she was already feeling refreshed and not needing to sleep so late. She supposed it was from having renewed hope and perhaps a soon to be purpose again. The air was nippy and she zipped her jacket up as far as it would go. When she got back she quickly showered and dressed, and then went around to the café for her usual breakfast in her usual booth. There was something both comforting and powerful in routine. Phoebe had her breakfast ready when she arrived. She giggled to herself – and there was definitely a certain amount of predictability that came with routine.

  As she ate, she habitually looked out at the giant oak. As expected, the little boy was sitting there, on his cooler box, staring up into the tree. This time curiosity got the better of her. She just had to know what he was doing. She finished up her meal and excused herself, telling Phoebe she would be back in a moment for a quick chat before meeting up with the Taylors.

  She approached the little boy from the other side of the tree where he could clearly see her approaching – she did not want to startle him. She remembered how children were cautioned not to speak to strangers, so she did not go too close until invited otherwise.

  “Good morning. My name is Chloe Dane and I am new here. Would you mind if I chatted to you for a few minutes – I don’t mean to disturb you” she called out to him gently.

  “Hi! I am James. Sure, I would be happy to chat for a while. Welcome to our village.”

  “Thank you. Quite a friendly village it is. May I sit on the bench next to your cooler box?” she asked, waiting for permission to move into his space.

  “Of course, please join me. I would love some company while I wait” James gestured to the park bench.

  “What is it exactly you are waiting for? I must confess, I have seen you every day, sitting here on your cooler box and looking up into this tree. Today I could not contain
my curiosity anymore” she had to know, but didn’t want to be too pushy.

  “I am waiting for the acorns to fall. It is almost time; and I don’t want to miss the first ones. They will be best” he offered as his reply.

  “Acorns! Aah, that makes sense! Why didn’t I think that is what you were doing? After all it is an oak tree” Chloe said embarrassed.

  “Really? It makes sense? I am glad someone understands” he said and looked back up into the tree. “I have to make sure they don’t lie on the ground too long before I give them to their new owners.”

  Chloe looked at him questioningly.

  “So you collect the acorns and sell them. That is a good way to make extra pocket money.”

  This was an entrepreneur in the making she thought.

  “No, I don’t sell them. I give them to anyone who may need an acorn” James explained.

  Now Chloe was confused.

  “Just one acorn? And why would somebody need an acorn?”

  James sighed and looked hurt.

  “Oh, you don’t understand. I don’t know why everyone finds this so difficult to understand.”

  Chloe grimaced.

  “I am sorry James. I jumped to a conclusion. Please would you explain to me, I am sorry if I offended you. I am sure there are many things a person could do with an acorn, besides eating it.”

  James looked at her a little hesitantly.

  “OK. But I need an acorn to help me explain. Meet me here every morning. When the first acorn falls, I will explain.”

  Now Chloe had been caught off guard. This little boy seemed to know something that no one else did, or perhaps he just had a vivid imagination. Either way, her curiosity was now beyond the point of brushing this off. She would meet with him again, and wait to hear just what it was he was hoping for by giving people acorns.

  “OK James, I will wait with you for the acorns to fall. I must go now, I have an appointment. I will see you tomorrow. Bye!”

  James said goodbye, smiled and waved as she left. Interesting child, she thought.

  She recounted this briefly to Phoebe as they shared their usual cappuccino and Phoebe did not seem too surprised.

  “That James is a special boy. He sees things differently to other little boys.”

  Chloe finished up her drink and dashed out so as not to be late for her appointment. Beth Taylor had given her directions the evening before and it seemed easy enough, after all, the village really was small, but she did not want to take any chances and create a bad impression from Day One.

  The apartment was only two blocks away. It was on the top floor and had a magnificent view of the ocean from the balcony. It had two large bedrooms, a lounge, dining room, a huge kitchen and a study. This was way more space than she needed but it would be a nice change from the cramped places she had been used to before. It was absolutely beautiful. Edward was pleased to see her reaction.

  “So I take it you approve? Is it settled that I have found my new tenant?”

  Chloe was radiant when she replied.

  “This is more than I could have hoped for. Yes, I most definitely approve.”

  “Great!” Edward replied. “Now let us go and take a look at your office. I am holding thumbs you approve of that too. We could really benefit from someone with your skills. And your vibrant personality is an added benefit that may perk the place up a bit. We middle-agers need a bit of a boost now and then.” He chuckled that infectious chuckle and Chloe could not help giggling herself.

  The office was another four blocks away. Chloe realised that she would be able to walk to work and also to the coffee shop. The thought strangely made her happy. It really was the little things that could brighten a person’s day. It was not a very big building. It had a reception room, where a young auburn haired woman sat behind a computer. She looked up as they came in. Edward introduced them.

  “Cami, this is Chloe. She will be taking over as editor from the beginning of next month. She has many years’ experience in our line of work.”

  Chloe learned that Cami had been working for Edward for just over a year and had joined the company straight from university where she had studied Graphic Design. Her first year had been part of an internship, organised through the university. When the year was up she and Edward had discussed her staying on and they were now working on incorporating her design skills more formally into the layout of the magazine. Before, she had just had small features.

  Next they went through to the boardroom. It was very professionally laid out, with a big screen monitor and projectors. It had a coffee vending machine and water cooler in one corner. A solid, dark round table formed the centre, with stylish chairs around it. She liked how it represented equality – no ‘head’ of the table. She imagined brainstorming sessions around this table, with each person’s opinions and insights as valuable as the next person’s. Edward took her through to three other offices and introduced her to their team: Subscriptions and Marketing Manager, Design and Layout Manager, and Financial Manager.

  The next office had a sign on the door: EDITOR. No guessing that this was going to be her new office. Edward gestured to her to lead the way.

  “It is your office, after you – you may invite me in, if you wish.” He chuckled again.

  Chloe slowly opened the door. It was such an executive looking office, with every gadget imaginable neatly set out. She had floor to ceiling shelving and she could already imagine all the research books she would collect filling them. She had a huge desk and a desktop computer with an enormous flat screen monitor. In one corner was another water cooler, a filter coffee machine and a glass-fronted bar fridge stocked with fruit juice, sparkling flavoured waters and wine (she assumed for end of week winding down). There was also a well-stocked basket of biscuits, dried fruits and nuts as well as a bowl of fresh fruit. She knew that working overtime would be a pleasure with such luxurious amenities. She didn’t realise she had been ogling the office wide-eyed, and was oblivious that Edward was watching her, an amused look on his face.

  “I take it this pleases you?”

  “Most definitely! I can’t wait to begin,” Chloe glowed. She greeted the other staff members and left. She would have an early night, she would be meeting James in the morning – and most likely every morning for as long as it took for the first acorn to fall and for James to share his story.

  Chapter Four

  For the next few mornings she sat with James under the tree. As he wasn’t about to share the acorn story just yet, Chloe asked him about all sorts of other things. ‘How old are you?’ ‘Where do you go to school?’ ‘Do you have brothers and sisters?’ The answers to these were brief: ‘Eight years old.’ ‘The primary school is three streets up.’ ‘No, I am an only child.’ He did not volunteer any information other than what was asked.

  Chloe decided to tell him a little about herself, seeing as though he seemed to be the quiet type of child. She told him where she had grown up; about her school; and what she had enjoyed doing as a child. He listened quietly, not commenting much at all. She asked him if he played any sports or what he did as a hobby. He replied that he liked to ride horses and swim. He did not play any other sports at school and took a bit of disapproval from his teachers for this. As for hobbies, he liked to draw and write poems about all the things he saw when he was outdoors. Chloe told him that she also liked to write about things that she saw, they had something in common. James smiled and asked if she would like to read one of his poems someday. Chloe told him that she would like that very much.

  After five days of sitting under the tree, making small talk with James the big moment arrived. If she had not been there to experience it and had merely been told of this momentous event, she never would have believed it to be true. Rather something out of a fantasy fiction novel. They seemed to stop mid-sentence without knowing why. The wind picked up suddenly and blew across the park. The ducks flew up out of the pond and everyone around them clutched their jackets close, packed up their
picnic goods and headed for their cars. A great gust blew through the upper branches of the giant oak and then in a moment, all was still. And then it happened… an acorn fell, right in front of where James was sitting about two feet away.

  They both sat in silence just staring at the acorn, neither daring to move. Silently James got up and went to fetch the acorn. The anticipation for Chloe was almost unbearable. Finally! She was about to hear the story of the mysterious acorn harvesting. She felt wonderful and very lucky to be a part of this special event. She didn’t know why, she didn’t even know what it was about – it could be something very childish for all she knew. But she didn’t think so. She felt that somehow she was being let into a magical secret that no one else had yet been allowed to witness. It felt mythical and like she had stepped through a doorway into fantasia.

  James turned around, still silently. If he felt excitement he did not show it. He was so calm and collected. He carried the acorn like it was a diamond. He inspected it thoroughly for a few minutes. Then he placed it in a jar of water, waited for a few seconds, took it out and threw it away. Chloe was dumbfounded.

  “James! We have been waiting out here for days, you have been waiting even longer, and you throw it away! I don’t understand.” She couldn’t help sounding frustrated, and felt a little guilty.

  James looked at her and then back at the tree.

  “It wasn’t healthy. It would never sprout. Healthy acorns sink, unhealthy ones float. That one floated. There was no point in trying to plant it.”

  Chloe took a few seconds to mask her disappointment; she was so sure all the waiting was over.

  “So now what, we wait again for more acorns to fall?”

  “Yes,” James replied, “but it won’t be long now. Mature oak trees produce about two thousand acorns per year, but each acorn has only a one in ten thousand chance of growing into a mature oak.”

  Chloe was amazed at how this little boy knew so much.