Outliers 12B Sulli
Sulli woke up early the next day. The birds were singing and someone was knocking at his door. “Hold on!” Sulli yelled.
The banging stopped and Sulli crawled out of his cot. He got to the door and the soldier was standing there without his ruck. Sergeant Ray was ready to work.
Sulli looked stupefied. “Why are you here?”
“I’m here to help you get some seed into the ground.” Sergeant Ray stated. “And with this kinda work, you want to start before the heat of the day. Now get a move on.” he ordered.
Sulli turned and grabbed some clothes. This was going to be a long day. He grabbed some jerky for his breakfast and then walked out.
Ray was standing by the well, “Where’s your planting plan?”
Sulli then remembered the book that Alan had given him. He was supposed to use it to track what he planted and when. He put up one finger indicating that Ray had to wait for him to retrieve it.
Sulli went back into his shack and looked around. He didn’t see the book. He moved to piles of rags and garbage and then found the book. Besides the sketch of the fields and the subdivided sections that matched the map, nothing had been written in the book. Sulli didn’t see this as a problem, he would just fill it out as he went. He took the book to Ray.
Ray looked at it and sighed. He then looked at Sulli. “We need to come up with a plan.”
Sulli looked confused, “Why don’t we just record what we plant and call that the plan?”
“Because some plants need more water than others, so they will be planted closer to the ponds and some plants can’t be planted with others. Not to mention that we need to plant things that animals don’t like near the edges to keep them from stealing all your work.” Ray looked at Sulli, “Didn’t you go through the basic planting course back in February?"
Sulli tried to remember, but that was months ago. He couldn’t remember what he did last week, let alone months ago. “Maybe?” was all he could offer Ray.
“Okay, let's just take today to walk the fields and put together a plan.” Ray said looked East.
“Great, then I can use that over and over again, right?” Sulli asked.
Ray looked at him, “No. You need to rotate your crops so as to keep your soil alive.” Ray said with concern in his voice.
“Oh.” Sullie was really disliking farming again. So much to remember or think about. It’s supposed to be easy. Just throw some seed in the ground, water it and take the spoils when it grows up. Farming. Sulli was feeling inadequate again. Ray was a soldier and knew more about farming than he did. Or better yet, remembered more about farming. Sulli’s self esteem was starting to nose dive. He could hear the disappointment in the Sergeant’s voice and it brought on the memory of his father. The old man just hated the fact that his youngest son decided to get a degree in art and not something useful.
Ray saw Sulli’s shoulders dip. He then Offered, “You know old man Hadley? He could come over with a few hands and help you set up your farm for a few years. Heck if you think about it, you could lease the land to him and let hi.”
Sulli cut him off, “No!”
Ray was confused, this man had no experience and little hope of success by what he has seen so far.
Sulli looked away. “I’ve already spoke with stingy Hadley. He would only give me 10% of the crops for myself. And that’s not enough for the amount of work I would have to do. So, No.”
Ray thought for a second, “Have you asked Alan for some sharecroppers.”
Sulli tried to control his emotions toward Alan, “Sharecroppers?”
Ray saw a sliver of hope, “Yeah. Alan has a list of young people that are looking to.. Well leave home and partner up with others that have land. They strike up a deal and share the land. Usually they work together on preparations, planting and harvest. The things that are very labor intensive, then once those things are done, they share the work of mending, building mutually beneficial stuff. The plant maintenance is up to the individuals. You know watering and weeding.”
“Sharecropping.” Sulli thought about that, then asked, “How many do you think…”
“Two.” Ray said.
“That many. And I keep the land.” Sulli said.
“Well, yes and no. You see they are working to build something, so after a while you share ownership as well. But that is all in the arrangements and very well documented.”
I would eventually have to give up some of my land.” Sulli was not too sure of that.
“Yes, but you have a much better farm by that time, with shared buildings and people who know what they are doing.” Ray said then realized he just insulted Sulli.
Sulli did not show any signs that he was wounded by the statement, “Alan.” was all he said.
“Yeah.” Ray responded.
“I feel like an idiot when I’m with him.” Sulli admitted.
“Sometimes I do too.” Ray said.
Sulli was surprised and his face showed it.
Ray added, “The man is a walking wikipedia. Drive me crazy.”
“Me too.” Sulli was happy that someone else agreed with him.
Then Ray added, “I guess that’s why he is our leader. He puts that knowledge to work helping us all. You know he directed a retrieval group right to a huge stash of materials we needed to build the commons. Like a dozen different places that had stuff we needed. Just sitting there. He knew exactly where it was. He engineered the electrical grid, rebuilt radios…”
“I know, he's smart.” Sulli said dryly.
“And selfless.” Ray said.
“I just feel stupid.” Sulli admitted.
“He’s not infallible.” Ray said and looked away, “He staffs his weakness and lets others correct him when he’s wrong. His best friend will oppose him sometimes. And Lawrance is like his worst enemy, but Alan keeps him close because, as he puts it, I can’t see everything or every angle to a situation. For that I need others to show me.”
Ray stopped to let Sulli absorb the information, then continued, “Well, it was his idea to write the rules of engagement when all this shit fell apart. He was way ahead of the other groups when it came to storing materials and isolating Graham from the outside world. It was his small group that stepped into the light when chaos was about to take over all of us. Hell, he didn’t even want to lead. He tried to turn it down, but Mike stepped up and said that he wouldn’t follow anyone else. That’s when Alan made a compromise. He created the Elders from the group leaders. Each had a seat at the table. Some didn’t like the role and left, but he never kicked them out. They just realized it was a lot harder than it looked. That’s when Alan went looking for those that could stand up to him. Teach him and learn from him all at the same time.”
“You make him some hero.” Sulli spat back.
“In a way, he is.” Ray said.
“I just… I’m just stupid I guess.” Sulli sank.
“No. Just challenged.” Ray said.
Sulli was about to be insulted, “So, you think I’m stupid too.”
“Listen to yourself. Your self worth is not wrapped up in your memory. We all have different degrees of ability. All of us are different. With our own strengths and weaknesses. Overcoming the weaknesses is what separates us from the animals.” Ray paused, “You're not an animal are you?”
Sulli walked away. He had a choice. Stay here and die. Try to do it on his own and most likely die. Or give up and walk away and die. Or give in and go see Alan and the elders.
Ray started putting his gear back on. If they weren’t going to do anything, he needed to get back to his patrol. He yelled out, “I’ll be back at the end of the day.”
Sulli didn’t respond, he just kept walking away.
Ray left and rejoined his squad. They spent an uneventful day watching the Southwestern border then about six pm he decided to walk back to the farm and see what Sulli decided.
He found Sulli sitting on the porch of his shack. They greeted each other and then Ray asked, “What do you want to do?”
“I want to be an artist.” answered Sulli.
Ray looked away.
“You don’t understand. I can be in the moment. I don’t have to worry about the future, or what needs to be done tomorrow, just what is in my hands right then and there. I don’t have to remember shit. I just work. Create. Live.” Sulli started crying.
“That world died.” Ray said. “Now you have to live in this one.”
“I don’t know how.” Sulli said.
“Alan and the elders will help you.” Ray stated.
“By taking what I have.” Sulli wanted to argue. He wanted to be mad, but deep down he was going to lose everything anyway. He knew that. He just didn’t want to admit it.
Ray said it out loud, “If you do nothing, you will lose it anyway.”
Sulli just sat there.
Ray was about to go and Sulli asked, “Will you go with me?”
Ray thought about that, “I’m here for another two days, then I’ll head back. You need to go tomorrow and get this farm moving forward. You’re out of time. Besides, you know what needs to happen. He’s a fair man and Lawrance will make sure you’re not cheated.”
Sulli sat there thinking about going to the commons alone. He was unsure of his ability to keep his farm. Fear was the enemy. But if he did nothing the result would be the same. He just wasn’t smart enough to know what to do. The future was futile. “I don’t know..”
“They do.” Ray said.
Sulli looked up, “You know that an artist never gets rich off his own creations. It’s not until they die that the works become valuable. It’s only the suits and ties that get rich off of his work. Do you think that’s fair?”
“No.” Ray said.
“This isn’t any different. It’s my land, but I'm going to only get a token from its proceeds.” Sulli said.
“Well, that remains to be seen. You need to advocate for yourself and try to get the best deal you can, but honestly, you don’t have a lot to offer. They plowed the fields, and you have a natural water source, but that’s all. You have no storage, no animals or out-buildings for them.”
Sulli shoulders sank further.
Ray continued, “I’m sorry. But that is the truth and you need to deal with it.”
“Sharecroppers.” Sulli finally said.
“Yeah.” Ray said knowing that his message has finally hit home.
“I will go tomorrow and talk with the elders.” Sulli said.
“No. You need to talk to Alan. The Elders don’t meet but once a week.” Ray said.
“Damn.” Sulli said.
“Yeah.” Ray added.
“Will he be at the commons?” Sulli asked.
“Most likely not. He’s usually in his shop working on stuff.” Ray said. “But if you go early enough, he is usually on his front porch sipping on tea.”
“Must be nice.” Sulli said.
“Sulli, have you ever seen what Alan does during planting and harvests?” Ray asked.
“No. He’s probably telling everyone what to do.”
“He shoves horseshit.” Ray said.
“What?” Sulli said.
“Yeah. He’s like in his sixties and is too old to do much physical work. He never learned how to drive a team and he’s no farmer, so he makes himself as helpful as he can, by keeping the horseshit from building up on the roads.” Ray stated.
“Horseshit.” Sulli said.
“He’s just a man doing what he can.” Ray said.
“Horseshit.” Sulli looked up, “That can’t be true.”
“It is. He takes his trike and shovel and rides up and down the roads with a few kids and keeps them clear because that stuff gets slick and the horses can fall and hurt themselves, so he just.. Does what he can.”
“Alan?” Sulli asked.
“Yeah. That’s why they follow him. He’s just a man doing his best.” Ray stated. “He won’t do any less for you.”
“Okay. Tomorrow.” Sulli said.
“I’ll be by at 6 am to wake you up.” Ray said.
“Tomorrow.” Sulli said with some hope in his voice.
If you want to read more about the Remnant Series see the links below.
Bood 5: Chaos coming soon to Amazon.com
Book 6: Obsidian Arrows
You can Leave a comment. Or follow us on Facebook. Or hit the subscribe button to get updates on new chapters or books.Thank-you
R. A. Legg
R. A. Legg
R.A. Legg © 2016. All Rights Reserved.
Comments
Post a Comment