Day Nine Hundred Eighty Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

I almost asked Mary about her daughter Retha, but a closer view of Mary’s face told all. Lines of sadness were stamped into her countenance.

She hugged me, then embraced her son who held my gaze, an apology in his eyes for not preparing me.

The Purser directed us to a spot to rest. Instead Elijah and I found their special place and spent the night in intercession.

The area atop the plateau could easily accommodate a larger group, as we learned when the Purser showed us around.

And so it had at one time.

Now their numbers are dwindling through disease and untreated injuries.

More than ever we felt a renewed impetus to bring them to the hiding place.

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Day One Hundred Fifty One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Grazie had been under surveillance. Probably a drone that kept well out of view.

Moglen alleges that Kip is responsible for alienating the affections of his daughter, Terresta. He will oppose Kip’s transfer to the east end until he has Terresta back.

Grazie is beside herself. She feels keenly being the source of conflict – saddened for Kip, and fearful for herself. She repudiates the name Terresta and does not want to go back.

Lyle has gone into the second district to meet with Moglen, if he can. And to possibly work out a compromise.

I gave Grazie into the care of the widow. She will do her best to keep her occupied.

I passed the day in my walled courtyard.

Day One Hundred Forty Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Kip has not talked to Moglen since he heard that his former colleague agreed to receive the mark. He is in the dark as to his reasons for accepting the city’s detente with the world government. Therefore we don’t know how that will complicate matters when we help his daughter Grazie to come over. Kip and Lyle feel the obligation to talk to him.

I do not.

I have a bad feeling about all this. Especially since Moglen did not reply to an invitation from all three of us yesterday.

I gave it a lot of thought today out in the vineyard. With their harvest in, practically no one was in the western fields. Grazie may no longer be allowed out.

Day One Hundred Forty Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

I decided to try something else today. Instead of heading back into the city, I asked permission to work in the vineyards. I hoped to give Grazie an opportunity to contact me there. The same restrictions are in place.

Lyle took a reluctant Kip with him to check the gates in the city.

I am always inspired by my view of the desert from my work station in the vineyard. At one point I was so engrossed as to be unaware of Grazie’s presence.

She is indeed Moglen’s daughter. As for her “different” names, she gives no reason, other than it’s personal.

And she has agreed to meet with Lyle and myself tomorrow.

Now if only Lyle and Kip return.

Look at Me Daddy

“Look at me, Daddy!”
She said with a thrill
As she set her two-wheeler
To go down the big hill.

She inched down the drive
Past the point of the bump
(So that bicycle seat
Would not give her a thump).

Straight down the path
Between the gravelly ruts,
O’er the leveler grass
Now burnt into tufts.

All the way to the level
She sat tall in her glide
While her long golden hair
Swished side to side.

Just a moment in time
Now in my mind fore’er etched
Left me musing on the porch
After the words perfect to sketch
All I was feeling inside.

Then, from above my head
And down into my view
A perfectly dazzling and golden
Exquisite butterfly flew.

So tiny, so fragile
Alive only a day,
Yet spreads beauty around her
As she goes on her way.

RWOz2