From the Pages of Kian's Journal: Chapter 5 (Gym Days)
Mar 19, 2018 16:24:11 GMT
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Post by Pally on Mar 19, 2018 16:24:11 GMT
I finally had my last plant turn perfect. I was filled with a great sense of accomplishment. No doubt you had felt the same thing when yours had reached that level. I was ready now for my next step. I heard the rumors of how you used the plants at the gym to make creams and energy drinks to sell to others and were allowed to keep the money you made. I wanted to do the same, so I hope you don't mind me sharing that time with you now.
When I arrived that Saturday morning the gym was quiet. Just the soft sound of someone inside hitting one of the old bags. A breeze was blowing and it carried the faint scent from the bushes that someone had just used them.
I got to work right away making my creams and energy drinks. I had collected enough dragonflies to make a good stock of the drink. I boiled and stirred until I was a murky mess from the heat of the grill. Then I sold my creams and drink to whom ever wanted them.
Of course like you, I spent a good amount of my time here working out. Punching the old bag was very therapeutic sometimes. I worked out on it often.
I had brought along a yoga mat too, so I could keep up with my training and to help myself stay in focus. It was most useful.
And I kept my word to you and tended your plants. I was careful to make sure not a one died. I couldn't let you down. I don't think I could live with myself, knowing you were disappointed in me.
I met your man there, Sunshine. He was a nice fellow. I could tell he was one of the Freegans. He came here almost everyday and we had a good time chatting and getting to know one another. I am happy now to call him one of my friends.
Sometimes he would stay all night, punching the bag like he hated it's guts. I figured maybe he had his own inner struggles he was trying to work out. It seems most people here in Murkland either had a story to tell or a past they wanted to forget.
One morning there was a big commotion near the basketball hoop, just outside the tent I had been sleeping in. When I crawled out to see what was going on, I found a fight going on! Everyone was watching and waiting for the dust to settle.
When it did, we discovered it was your daughter, Muddia. She had gotten into an argument with one of the Birch brothers. Apparently there was a love affair going on between him and her sister. I was sort of confused about it all. I still found romance to be a strange thing.
I tried talking to Maddy about it but she told me to mind my own business. Hannah was there at the time and she tried to help explain. I thought I'd try and ask Maddy about it again when she was in a better mood.You see, your kids seemed to spend as much time as I did here so I became great friends with them all and I learned their moods as well.
Star was still in her teenage stage of life so she wasn't much help in trying to figure it all out. Besides I felt weird talking with someone so young about the sordid details of a relationship.
Mendy was a little more helpful. She confessed that she didn't really have time to pursue such a relationship. She was busy helping some of the orphened and abandoned childern around Murkland.
Still, I found it a curious thing to watch. I observed the strange looks on the faces of those, 'love struck'. And I the awkward things they did and said. It seemed Muddia had a suitor who was always trying to win her affections but she hardly ever returned them. When she did the poor fellow seemed like he had been handed some great treasure.
Maddy was still often seen with her Birch man. They would smile and make little whispering comments to each other, giggle and then get close to each other with almost inappropriate touching. All while surrounded by a cloud of their murky stench.
I thought a lot about the strange behavior I witnessed, often while tending your plants. I wished my father would of prepared me more for adult life. He never gave me 'The Talk', I had to figure all that out on my own.
Sometimes though, I forced the confused thoughts away and let myself have some fun. I had perfected my guitar playing and noticed the people here really enjoyed watching and listening to me play. I only had time to perform a couple of times a week though.
Since I was trying to make money from selling my cream, I had stopped using so much of it myself. I was back to observing the bath days at the hot springs. Soaking for hours to get 'mostly' clean. I always went alone, and normally it didn't bother me, but lately I had begun to feel that it would be nice to have someone to share these quiet moments with.
Finally after many days of making and selling cream I sold my last jar. I had sold over 300 jars of cream, but now, I had enough extra money for myself to make a good start in what ever the Mayor might have next for me.
I went back to Granite Falls for a time to stock up on my bug supply, and I must say I have come to love the peacefulness of this place. It is a wonderful, soothing balm for a frazzled and overworked soul. Someday I'd like to come here with you and get to know you better. Maybe learn how you even came to Murkland in the first place.
While in the Falls, I snatched up some strange little beetles that many of the campers there said tasted just like chicken, whatever that was. When I was back at my camp in Murkland I roasted a few and they did have a really good taste.....The talk of food has my stomach growling. Maybe we should pause here while we grab a snack. Next time I'll tell you about how I helped out at the library.