Chapter 10
Kes got home and made breakfast. She made some extra for the afternoon. She setup her breakfast on the porch. Her place was a proper house. Not many rooms but there was plenty of light. The trees in this suburb swayed gently in the wind. The neighborhood kids were playing on the streets. Her front garden looked fresh after the rains four days ago. There was very little traffic and the community appreciated the clean air. She had shade on her porch all year long and her plants, sunlight. The setup was ideal.
A neighbor looked in her direction and they exchanged a hello by waving their hands. When she was done eating she read the last manuscript on her phone.
"I sowed a palmyrah seed in the middle of my field when I was thirty years old on a whim. It now stands there alone. After eighteen years of juvenile life, the tree matured and turned out to be a male. After two years of drought the field is barren and the tree is all but dead. Even if it stays alive, isolated, it can only be bled for toddy while it is alive. If you kill it you could eat the soft tissue under the crown, make use of the trunk and fronds as building material. I do not know how to climb the tree.
Four days ago we had the first rain of the spring season. Hail and thunder squalls. A lightning struck the lonely palm and it is charred now. I examined the remains and found a hollow in the trunk. There were some charred remains of a bird's nest. Thankfully the nest was empty.
It will soon become a termite mound if there is enough water underground. It is raining again now. Another squall, more intense this time and it is threatening to take away my roof. I hope to survive the day."
Kes frowned for a moment. Raised her eyebrows for a second. Then almost rolled her eyes and walked into her garden to take care of the plants.
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Epilogue:
Writing a series, on the fly is tedious. If you had the patience to read this, I hope you found something to like in it.
The title was inspired by a historical fiction and then I ran out of inspiration. Years later, out of necessity and intrigue, inspired by another author's work I set out to finish it. It was unwieldy but I think I have managed to tie it up into a recognizable shape.
I am glad that I finished it. But it is... meh. I might feel differently years later.
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