Mountain Life

CHAPTER 1B - Life in the Community

He walked out of the house and spoke to me in a low voice, evident that he did not want anyone to hear him.

“Hi, Brigit. Serena is not feeling well, and we are happy you took her shift in the milking room this past week.”

“My pleasure, Mark. I hope Serena feels better. I take it you are heading to the stream? Maybe I will bring some soup later this afternoon for the family.”

“Thanks, but unnecessary. We have plenty, and you need to take care of yourself. You are correct. I need to think and do my best while talking to the fish.”

“Mark! It’s soup. I also have a few extra loaves of fresh bread; I need to do this for you and Serena.” She considered not saying anything to Mark since he is a junior council member and Serena is a full council member. “Mark, since Brad died, I have been alone. My days are repetitive and filled with my duty to the community. I have very little happiness in my life. Please let me do this?”

Mark softened, “OK, but only if you stay and have a bowl of soup with us. I may even make toasted cheese to dip in the soup!” He smiled at her, and she returned the smile.

“I have not had that since I was young. I agree to eat with your family tonight. Thank you.”

They hugged, Mark returned to the house, and Brigit Markz continued to the barn. As she walked away, she said to him, “Remember, I like trout!”

He waved.

~~~~~~~~~~

“Hello, girls,” Brigit said as she entered the barn. The cows walked toward her. They knew why she was here.

She positioned the stool and pails, the first lady stood in place, and Brigit began milking. “Excuse me, ma’am, but you need a shower,” Brigit said to the cow. The only response she received was a look, a side eye, of course, and a snort.

After a few minutes, she got into a peaceful rhythm, and the 15 minutes seemed to pass in mere seconds. During that time, when her mind goes into a daydream state, she sees, or more precisely experiences, things she did not know before. She has the gift, and a stronger person with the gift does not exist, but her equal is Serena. Sometimes, they have the same dream, and they discuss it and understand it.

Two winters ago was the worst winter in the history of the settlement. They both dreamt about starvation, illness, and malnutrition, and Serena informed the council. The council filled the freezer with meat for the community. After the final harvest, three times more were canned and stored. The settlement made it through that winter thanks to Brigit and Serena’s dreams and discussions.

The last milk cow was empty. So she put the pails into the wall storage to keep them clean and covered each with the fitted lid. Today, community members would come and get fresh milk for drinking, baking, and making butter. Drinking, they would begin to arrive very soon. Those picking up milk for baking would come in a few hours, midmorning. And those making butter, at the end of the day. The milk is no good saved for the next day. Any milk left all day was given to the pigs.

Brigit, on the other hand, was heading for the council room. She was asked to attend the council meeting this morning and have lunch with the council. She had other duties she needed to tend to; she was the primary candle maker for the community, but there were others.

The community does have electrical power. Not everywhere, but in storage buildings, refrigeration units, and freezers for longer-term food storage. Hydroelectricity, wind, and a few solar panels provide enough power to the storage cells. Excess evening milk, on occasion, is made into ice cream and stored in the freezer until there is enough for each community member. Then, we have an ice cream social.

Brigit cleaned up the barn and headed to the council room. It was a short walk, and now that more people were awake, she stopped to talk to friends. She had no family, blood-related, in the community. But she considered everyone a brother or a sister.

Brigit stood in front of the building and looked at it. It was not an ornate structure but looked like any other. However, one unique feature is the upside-down triangle with a flame above it and the Ankh in the center of the triangle. On the lower sides of the triangle are partial circles. Brigit always thought if you continued the circle, it would complete a perfect circle. This symbolized the colony, all life being sacred. This image was burned into the front of the building. Top to bottom, maybe several feet, everyone knew this as the symbol of the council. Council members wore a pendant of this symbol around their necks to show they were council members, elders, and community leaders.

She walked up the steps and hesitated, smiling slightly. She was unsure if she should knock or open the door and enter. She opened the door and walked in.

Mateo Obenga was sitting at the reception desk. As she entered, he said, “Brigit, the council members expect you. Please enter.” He motioned to a large door, which seemed to open as she approached.

Entering the chamber, she saw a large table, oval in shape. Six of the seven council members sat around the table. Four were on the far side, and three were on the other, closest to where she stood. This was her first time in this room. She had been to the council three times but never in this room. The first was when she married Brad, the second was when her status was elevated to that of a junior council member, and the third was when Brad was found dead.

This was different. “Members of the council. I am here at your request.” Brigit said to the group relatively formally.

They all stopped talking and looked at her. “Please take the empty seat.” In front of her was the empty seat, with one council member on each side. Sitting with the council at their meeting place, she felt odd during what appeared to be a heated discussion.

They finished their conversations as she sat in the seat. She tried to listen to the multiple conversations but could not follow them. Instead, they spoke strangely about things, places, and events.

“Brigit Markz.” The lead female member said to her as the room seemed to enter a complete silence. “You have been summoned to this chamber to replace a council member. As you know, Serena is ill, and confidentially, she is not expected to live much longer. But, unfortunately, there is no cure for what she has, and she recommended you for her position.”

Confused, “Her position? As a member of the council?”

“Yes.” It was a reality she did not expect. It seemed to hit her like a fist to the face.

“But…..”

“You have been recommended, discussed, and approved.” The man said. “Welcome to your new servant role in the community.”

Brigit opened her mouth, but nothing came out, and the other council members smiled at her. Then, a moment later, “I am honored and will strive to do my best for the community.”