My name is Siobhan, mom and dad always pronounced it pronounced Shi-wan, and I'm going to tell you about my families journey, such as I know it, such as it was told to me. I can see the confusion already, why A.D. it doesn't match the usual notations for after the meteor that everyone else uses. I used A.D. as short for After the Divorce. In a way you might say my parents divorce is what saved us all from the meteor. It all began with my Grandpa Paul Stone buying an abandoned railroad station. He and my dad Sark had gone to pick up some supplies and when they'd returned they found my mom, Fern, standing on the platform with me, Siobhan, and my older siblings Tara and Colm. That my dad was less than pleased to see my mom, was an understatement. Grandpa sometimes hinted that he was happy to see us turn up, but he kept his feelings under wrap, except for the odd note here and there in his workshop journal. Once my dad had stomped off, after telling my mom that she had to stay on the far platform, grandpa had assessed the supplies, then after a brief discussion with my mom. It was agreed that a second trip to the mainland would be necessary. It was the return from the second trip that both turned the world upside down, and saved our lives, along with the life of Mr. Peoples the owner of the consignment store. He used to be the ferry operator, but now the ferry rests below water just off the docks. Industrial island wasn't all that much to start with but it had been in the process of being revitalized when everything went to pot. A few folks had gathered at the stadium for some big community revitalization speech by a politician from the mainland. The big hole in the ground is where the stadium used to be. The few remains that could be found where laid to rest in the cemetery. Which is where Mom and Dad finally convinced Grandpa to put Grandma AnnMarie's ashes. The impact wave rocked our ferry causing most of the extra supplies to go overboard. That my crib and the bunk bed for my siblings didn't go overboard was a relief for all. No one said anything as they watched the ferry slip under the water, but they all knew that the islands renewal just took a huge step backwards. As they climbed the road up from the docks Mr. Peoples said that it would probably be a while before there was new ferry service; "water and weather's going to be to unpredictable for a while" is what Grandpa attributed to Mr. Peoples in his workshop journal. Mom and Grandpa where both happy to learn that even though there wasn't a teacher per say on the island, there were learning computers that still worked at the school. All of us island children would be able to remotely access lessons and homework, and keep up with our mainland peers that way. Dad didn't care much one way or the other, he was in a funk. He was more concerned that his path to rock and roll fame had just been cut short and once again he was stuck living with someone whom he didn't want to be around, let alone live with. Mom promised Grandpa that she would do her best to keep out of dad's way. She confided in Grandpa that she still loved dad, but understood that at best maybe they could be friends again someday. "Paul, it's never been that I don't love him. I do love him to the point of pain." Mom said "But he hates being tied down. His dislike of commitment is so strong that confinement for to long makes him physically ill. I can't do that to him again, now that I understand why he was so unhappy while we were married." "Would you marry him again if he asked?" Grandpa inquired. "I don't see him asking, but I'm willing to spend the rest of my life with him without marriage if he wants." Mom responded "However my priority has to be keeping it civil for the sake of our children. I still remember how much my parents used to fight before their divorce, and even after which is why I love my stepdad so much." Grandpa nodded and wandered off to work at his workbench. The old railway station wasn't much to look at when we first moved in. There wasn't even any roof over the room where Tara and Colm's bunk bed had been set up, or the bathroom. There was an abandoned fire pit. Grandpa suspected it had been built by some transients. Mom, ever the outdoors woman was quick to note signs of wild life. "Once we get really settled in and start moving a lot of stuff around, including salvaging what we can from the dead plant life, the wildlife will probably vanish." Mom told Grandpa. "In the meantime though the kids and I will catch what we can for the science center on the smaller isle across the bridge." Even if the mainland had been reluctant to restart a regular ferry service it was quickly discovered that more had survived than had been destroyed, which gave everyone hope for the future. Mom was very happy to find that someone had planted some vegetables near the far end of the main platform. She checked with Grandpa, and he gave her permission to harvest what she needed and wanted. "Paul I know you don't care if I work the garden on this side of the old track bed, but I think Sark might get touchy about it, so I'm also going to plant a garden on the far side." When mom saw that dad had taken an interest in teaching me how to walk she asked him if he minded watching me while she tried to catch some of the butterfly's flitting around. Mom took his grunt as a yes. Mom managed to catch a few, which she took to the science center. The scientists got so excited over one of mom's catches that they offered her a large sum of cash in exchange for her catches. She declined the money and instead bartered for an old fridge, some of the produce they had which was suppose to be ingredients for feeding the lab animals, and a few boards to cover the opening above Tara and Colm's bed. Mom didn't mind if us kids slept outside, but she did want to make sure that we stayed dry if it rained. While mom had been collecting insects, grandpa had gone dumpster diving. His luck had been more modest than mom's. Grandpa found a decent loveseat, and a few small items which he traded to Mr. Peoples for a worn counter. Dad wasn't happy that grandpa and mom agreed to share the counter until she could get one for our side. He however didn't complain to loudly, because mom was sharing the food she'd gotten with him and grandpa. At first mom was happy to see that larger animals had survived. That is until she realized that the first place they would probably forage for food was the garden. Grandpa was an inventor so she discussed with him ways they could make some fencing from the dead brambles, shrubs, and trees. Mom was firm that a good fence would be the only way to ensure that her garden survived so they could have food for future meals. As a general rule of thumb grandpa preferred to keep his inventions for us to play with. He however decided that he didn't need to keep as many as he had. Grandpa talked Mr. Peoples into putting the extra toys on display. Neither was sure if anyone would actually want them, but good sturdy toys never go out of fashion. Mom kept me inside whenever it rained, while Tara and Colm where at school. She kept me occupied with nursery rhymes and stories, which helped me learn how to talk. Dad braved the weather and tried playing for tips at the hatchery. Even though a few scientists were around no one was ready to part with what little coin they had. All summer dad tried playing for tips at different spots around the island. His playing improved, but that was all he gained from his guitar that first summer. Eventually he started doing as mom and grandpa had been doing all along, and started dumpster diving as well as collecting the odd bits of stone, flower, small animals or birds, and insects as could be found. Mom and grandpa insisted that school work had to take priority over hunting for collectibles. Neither Tara or Colm have ever hinted if they wished otherwise, after all weekends were always theirs to do as they wished once homework was done. I suppose mom could have been mean about things like the solar shower, and put them behind locked doors, but she kept telling grandpa that it was in everyone's best interest to have it in neutral space, ie outside where anyone could use it. By the time the end of summer and leisure day rolled around Dad had managed to get himself a proper bed, two art easels for us kids to use, and a xylophone for me to play with. Grandpa had scrounged some more furnishings, even a phone not that anyone called us that first summer. Grandpa, mom, and dad had made an agreement that as a group, they would keep a base of 200 available at all times for bills. I was fully trained in my primary skills of walking, talking, and knew how to use the potty by then. Mom had managed to find enough valuable gems to get a counter, stove, and dishwasher. She had also gotten a table and some chairs for our side, but put them in what was being called the neutral zone. Grandpa moved their table and chairs outside too. It was made clear by grandpa that whether dad joined us at the table or ate inside alone was up to him. Sometimes he joined us, but mostly he waited until we had eaten before he sat to eat. Mom had traded some of her produce for flour. For leisure day as a special treat she made pear pancakes. Pancakes was enough to even get dad to come join us for breakfast. Well mom, Tara, and Colm that is. I was probably in the playpen with a bottle. Dad even hung out and talked to mom about her garden, that day. For some reason, mom wanting to open a fruit stand once I entered school upset him, and he took the last of the salvaged wood and put up a fence. Mom had to reassure Tara that just because their dad had fenced off his and Grandpa's side didn't mean he didn't love her, Colm, or myself. After all she, mom, and grandpa had agreed to maintain a neutral space with the tables, and shower. "Mom, will you and dad ever get back together?" Tara had asked. "I don't know that answer, Tara, right now your dad and I aren't getting along very well. We've managed to work out a few small disagreements." Mom replied. "Is that why you and grandpa put the temporary roof over part of the neutral space, and why dad hasn't actually locked the gates like he said he would?" Tara inquired. "Yes, Tara love. Now you tell me what after school program did you decide on?" Mom asked, putting a stop to any further questions from Tara. "I signed up for study club, since music classes are just for teens. Colm signed up for art class." Tara answered, before wandering off to see if she could find anymore lizards near Mom's garden. With grandpa's help mom moved the second set of stairs from the far end of the platform to the end where the over pass used to be. "Thank you for helping get the stairs moved and anchored for safe use. As much as I'd love a greenhouse or some planters for inside, I have to make sure the kids have a proper shelter Paul." Tara listened in as her mom and grandpa talked before heading off for their day's chores. "I'm putting away most of what I've grown this year, so we can have fresh produce during winter. There has been some interest in the coffee beans I'm growing from the science center." Mom had paused and scuffed her worn sandal on the tarred surface. "Paul, do you ever worry what will happen if any of us get sick or seriously injured, what with no medical services out here?" "I hadn't given it to much thought, Fern." "It's why I haven't encouraged the kids to explore more, I worry about what we would do if they got hurt." Mom sounded so worried that Tara scrapped her plans to explore the beach below the science center. She's rebellious like dad, but somehow mom being scared made her cautious. "Paul, you have been a big help to me and the kids, and I can feel the chill of fall starting to creep in. If I'm able to get more materials will you help me add a second floor for sleeping quarters?" "Fern, you know I'm willing to help you as best I can." "I know Paul, but Sark is still so angry with me, and I don't want to take your time away from him or your projects anymore than necessary." "Ah, my sweet girl, Siobhan, tomorrow is the first day of fall, I hope you won't mind being indoors all day." Sort of where the house is at before the first day of fall. The only major difference is a space of 2x3 has been added to Ferns side so that her bed could be moved inside near the crib for the upcoming cold weather.
The toilet got moved to the bathroom by the kids room, and the second urinal got moved to Paul and Sark's side of the lot. Not much change on Paul and Sarks side outside of added furniture from dumpster diving and funds earned from collectibles. The roof over the middle, neutral space is temporary for the first winter, and will be gone with the spring.
4 Comments
April Wilson
2/20/2018 01:58:48 pm
Telling the story from Siobhan's perspective is a clever idea! Setting this story on an island that has been ravaged by a meteor provides an extra challenge to the already strained household. Hopefully Sark and Fern can sort things out or at the very least, he becomes more amicable towards working with her for the sake of their family. May this family find some bits of happiness in the midst of these troubled times.
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Mama Dragon
2/20/2018 04:29:38 pm
It's hard to say what will happen, I prefer to allow for as natural friendship growth as possible. In some ways you'd think that Sark being a great kisser and Fern being a hopeless romantic, would help them on the road to reconciliation. When Sark initiated the conversation about gardening I was hopeful, and at first they were getting positive reaction, but he suddenly got angry and stormed off. Free will can be funny like that.
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bmitjessesue
2/21/2018 09:37:10 am
I love how you told all the events that happened in this chapter. It has a natural flow that keeps you engaged, wanted to know what will happen next.
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Mama Dragon
2/22/2018 12:01:10 pm
Thanks.
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