Free After the Fall: Jason's Tale by David E. Nees

disking
the soil; and how to plant the corn and wheat. According to Sam, all the cereal
grains could be done the same way. He stood in the field, inhaling the dark,
musky scent of the tilled earth. It was soft and black. It spoke of a mystery.
Put something in it, bury it and it will be returned a hundred-fold. Jason
marveled at it all, how roots lived a hidden, subterranean life, pulling in
nutrients from simple dirt and turning that into plant growth.
    “It’s not simple dirt,” Sam said as Jason marveled out loud.
“This soil is rich in chemicals and nutrients that plants need. The wonder is
how the roots collect those nutrients so the plants can grow.”
    “Planting seems like such an act of faith,” Jason said.
    “It is in more ways than you can imagine. It’s not just the
wonder of plants emerging from seeds, but you have to have faith that the
proper amount of rain will come, the bugs won’t overwhelm the crops and you can
get the harvest in without rain ruining it. Rain helps at one part of the process
and then hurts at another part.”
    Jason also helped Sam with the vegetable garden which they
planted by hand. They put in beans, onions, beets, carrots, kale and other
greens. Jason was stunned at what Sam and Judy had available to them by
carefully storing from each season’s harvest. His mouth watered in anticipation
of the bounty they would reap.
    A warm glow kept coming over him as the days passed. Jason
wondered about the feeling; there was an elusive quality about it. It was
pleasant, but he couldn’t readily find a name for it. Then one day it hit him;
he was experiencing the joys of family; the warmth and bond between people who
cared for one another mixed with the shared efforts of working towards common
goals. It was a feeling he hadn’t experienced since his childhood. Jason basked
in the glow, soaking up its warmth and comfort.
    This couple was self sufficient and thriving. Much of the
country needed to know what Sam and Judy knew. The country was going to have to
revert back to the family farm producing its excess for those in the cities.

Chapter 8
    Planting and other work went on for two weeks. Jason’s ribs
healed and his strength returned. One morning after breakfast, he asked Sam
about the possibility of staying on at the farm.
     “I could help you with all the chores and more than
make up for what I eat. I could also help in any defense of the farm…if that
became necessary.”
    Sam looked at Jason. “Judy and I talked about you the last
two nights. You’ve been a good work partner and I think we’ve helped each
other, but I’m not sure we should add a third party to our home.”
    Jason looked at him in surprise. He thought his idea was
perfect; at least it seemed so from his point of view. “Why? Don’t I add to the
farm? I work hard and I’ve got some useful skills.”
    “Yes you do…”
    “Don’t I fit in well with you and Judy?” He had been getting
very comfortable. “I’d really like to stay.”
    Sam looked at the ground for a long moment, “Jason, you do
carry your weight. We work well right now, but this is short term. Judy and I
have been self sufficient since the last kid left five years ago and we like it
that way. You’re a good man,” he continued, “but this is not our style of
living. We felt called to help you…it’s our Christian duty. And you’ve help us
in return. But we’re not that upset at what has happened. Like I said, we’ve
lived alone for years. I’m glad we could help you but you need to find your own
place…or a place to make your own.”
    “What about an extra man for defense?”
    “We can take care of ourselves. We have so far. And I think
we’ll see even fewer people this year. We’re pretty far away from any big
towns.”
    Jason sighed and nodded. “I guess I’ll get my gear together.
I’m feeling better and I probably should set out tomorrow.”
     “I don’t want to hurry you out.”
    “It’s better to go now