The Changing Times
Daughters. Some days I don’t know what to do with them.
This one decides to make a mess, and when I ask where she got the dyes from, all she can say is “I don’t know!”
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And this one has me worried. She has a frequent visitor. His name is Youseff and he’s the young man Tally met at the gathering place. The one I had an uneasy feeling about. Even though he stands at an appropriate distance on the other side of the fence, I still can’t shake my uncomfortable feeling.
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I ask Tally how well she knows this young man and her blushing response, combined with a mumbled “I think he’s romantic…” is the very opposite of reassuring. As calmly as I can, I suggest that she might want to ask some questions designed to get to know him better. If she doesn’t, I will.
To her credit, Tally does as I request and reports back the next day that Youseff is not only romantic, but also dislikes children and is a thief. A thief! Can you imagine?
“Don’t worry, Mama,” she tells me. “As soon as he said he hated children, I told him we could never be more than friends.”
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I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised that my family-oriented girl is more concerned about him not wanting children than the fact that he steals. Whatever her reasons, I am relieved to be rid of Youseff the thief.
And fortunately, Tally’s cheerful nature helps her quickly get over whatever feelings she might have had for the boy.
After dodging that arrow, I turn to my son for help. Snow knows the other tribes better than any of us. He arranges a meeting between Tally and a man from the tribe of Mori. My son tells me that Noah is family-oriented, like Tally, and is self-assured and loves to be outside. Well, what do you know? I guess my son really did talk to more than just girls when he was getting to know the world! I should have come to Snow sooner.
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Tally’s marriage to Noah, of the tribe of Mori, is swiftly arranged. Since the Mori tribe is nomadic and owns no land, we move the new couple into our old cave, just up the hill. Tally tells me I have another grandchild on the way.
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But first, we welcome the arrival of Snow and Lee’s second child. Avery protectively guards the door while his mother is in labor.
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All of the adults in the tribe gather on a misty morning for the naming ceremony.
“You are Otto, of the Tribe of Mann. Second son of our Chief Snow and grandson of beloved Chief Hu. May the spirits of our ancestors always find favor with you.”
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It is nice that Tally and her new husband are there. I never know when they will wander down the hill to our place, and it’s always nice to see them.
Sometimes we return the favor and wander up the hill. One day, Noah’s parents are there, too. They must be excited to meet Adeline, Tally and Noah’s daughter.
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Adeline resembles her father with her light blonde hair. Toddler Otto looks just like his brother did at that age. Speaking of which, my oldest grandchild, Avery, cannot sit still and runs off to climb trees.
Worn out from tree climbing, young Avery sleeps soundly that night while his parents discuss important plans for the future.
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And he doesn’t even stir when a bear breaks into one of our huts. Those of us who are awake watch helplessly as the bear walks right past Otto. Fortunately, Hu’s spirit appears and protects my youngest grandson from harm.
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I would like to say the encounter with the bear is what causes these gray streaks to appear in my hair. But the truth is, I noticed that gray many moons ago. I can feel that my journey here is almost at an end. I only hope that I have prepared the next generation so that our story will continue to be told.
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Notes: This is the end of Low Tech! Wu maxed gardening skill on day 40, Snow maxed guitar on day 41, Wu completed Freelance Botanist on day 43. Wu has already received her final notice from Grim and I was afraid she wouldn’t get to evolve her 10th excellent plant in time, but she made it! Barely.
The score so far is 3. (Hu and Wu count for 2 in No Tech + Snow counts for 1 in Low Tech)
*edited to add* Looking back at these pictures, it sure looks like Tally has a ‘type’ (both Youseff and Noah have long blonde hair). Sorry if it’s hard to tell them apart.
