Mountain Life

CHAPTER 2B -A New Reality

My Dearest Friend Brigit,

I am sure that where I am, I miss you deeply, but there are a few things that you need to understand.

You can never mention anything you see, hear, or experience to anyone. We are collecting items from nearby towns for the betterment of the community.

Gayle and Jon used to be a part of the community, and like you, they were members of the council who decided to leave the community and take on this life. Still, they could not abandon us. They let us stay comfortable during our week in town, gathering the needed supplies. We help out with the chores and an occasional project if required. They have lived in this community for nearly twenty years and understand it. So, if you have questions or curiosities, talk to them.

As for me, well, when you think of me during those random thoughts, remember me as I fell into that mud pile a few years ago. When you tried to pull me out, I pulled you in with me, and we laughed like a couple of school girls. That is the memory I want you to see me in.

Remember that I will always love you as if you were my sister.

Serena ♥

She read the letter three times, and tears flowed from her eyes. Marissa and Gayle heard her laugh in the room, then cry, and knew what it was about. Serena told them about the letter.

Her door opened, and she was no longer alone.

~~~~~~~~~~

“Good morning,” Gayle said as Brigit entered the kitchen. “You must have slept well.”

“I did. That is the most comfortable bed I have ever slept in.”

“Well, there is something special about it. As you sleep, it learns you, conforms, and cradles your body to give you the most rest possible. But, those beds can only be used here, in this world.”

“I understand. But this is the strangest world I have ever experienced.”

Jon walked in, “It’s about to get stranger for you.”

Brigit looked at him. Jon picked up a small box, and a wall played images and sound. “What….”

“This is called television, or the vid, or the screen. There are hundreds of channels to watch, but nothing is usually all that interesting.” He flipped to a channel, “This is one of my favorites. I watched this constantly when we first arrived, mainly because I needed the uniqueness of existence here to become my new norm. It took a week or so, and I could walk around and not gawk at things I saw. Granted, they still kinda amazed me, but I could brush them off.”

Joseph walked in, “Kid, you and I will be a team in town today. We will be tasked with acquiring seeds. As many as possible, in quantity and in variety. We can plant plants in the fall, before the first frost, and harvest in the spring if the winter is kind to us. Plants and vegetables like Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, carrots, celery, Chinese cabbage, kale, lettuce, spinach, turnips, beets, and radishes.”

Brigit said, “If we did that, we could have a fresh harvest every few months!”

“My thought exactly.” He replied to her. “I also suggested bringing clear plastic back with us and setting up a greenhouse.”

“A what?” Brigit asked.

“Greenhouse. A structure made of semi-clear plastic so the sun’s heat can get inside and warm it up. Allowing a true continual harvest of whatever we decide to plant.”

“I love that idea. What do they look like?”

Jon flipped channels for several minutes and stopped on the agro channel. “This is a greenhouse.”

They sat, had breakfast, and watched the program. Brigit was now the group expert in setting up a greenhouse.

For the remainder of the day, she and Joseph walked to the agricultural area of the city. They purchased all the seeds they wanted and delivered them to the farm. The cart had limited space, but the horses were strong. Thankfully, they had a couple of bench seats, enough room for six people to sit comfortably, meaning the four sat in luxury.

Brigit also found tools that she knew how to use, and a few she realized she had never seen before. Rather than asking what they were for, she picked up the tool and read the attached manual. She added a few of these new and a few of the familiar to the order. She noticed a two-month introductory greenhouse class would take place in a few months. Maybe there would be a way she could return to take the course. She walked up to the counter.

“Excuse me, I see you have a class on how to set up and operate a greenhouse in a few months. How long is the class, and what experience is needed to understand the class?”

The man replied, “Well, if you understand dirt and plants, you have a leg up on most idealists signing up for the class. They are doing it as a fad or to look like Mr and Mrs community service to their friends, but you look like someone who understands dirt, plants, and growing food. You may not know about a greenhouse, but you will do just fine.”

She smiled at him, ‘How long is the class? How many sessions?”

“Ah, sorry. We feed you lunch, and the class is on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for five weeks. We teach you the construction of the greenhouse through your first planting. You will learn by building and setting up a greenhouse in the Town Center. The food will be free for all to use.” He paused momentarily, “A lot of people have no idea or desire to build or set up the structure, but they love tending to the children, so they will be taking care of the plants and harvesting when they need to be harvested.”

“That is excellent,” Brigit said. Joseph heard most of the discussion, and since no one in the settlement knew about a greenhouse, an expert would make it better for the community.

“Sign her up. I can see it in her face; my friend here will love this.”