by A. R. Ford
Everyone has made a habit of gathering near Jack and Mary’s home at least once a week, usually after all their work is done. There is always a communal potluck dinner when it happens. Children run and play, catching fireflies until it’s so dark they can’t see. The adults sit around a fire after the meal ends. They talk, reminisce, and make plans for the future.
Donovan and Kallie have settled in. He finally realized what she meant to him. They haven’t started a family yet. Kallie takes some kind of herb that keeps her from getting pregnant. Some wounds take time to heal. It’s better than it used to be, but she still mourns the loss of the baby. Even Donovan shows sadness the few times they talk about it.
Everyone in the valley realizes the knowledge that Kallie, Donovan, and Mary have. They have started recording it all in a blank journal someone scavenged from an abandoned store.
That’s not all. At least once a week, one of our healers shares some of their knowledge with everyone, even the children. Just like indigenous people of olden days, they know how important it is to pass down knowledge, tradition, and history.
Luca has calmed down a lot. He’s still a mountain of flesh and bone, but he’s mellowed out as Tristan learned to walk and talk. It’s hard to believe, but even a man of his size can be gentle. It’s a good thing he’s learned how to love. He says his family has taught him that. There’s more to come though. Her belly is round with another baby on the way.
Luca promised to tell the story of the resistance fighting One World. It’s tough for him to open up about that. It was a brutal, bloody time in the world’s history. Given enough time and love, he will open up. It’s not a matter of if, it’s when.
All that can wait for another day.
There’s a good life to be lived out here. People have a sense of hope.
Everyone has learned they can come back from bad times. All it takes is hard work and perseverance.
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A~