The Good Earth

Nothing to do around the village. Lily didn’t think it should be that way. They had to do something. The other old biddies? Well…

“This is too early,” Lewis complained.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Lily said. “Rising early is good for you. You’re a farmer. You should know that.” Lewis rolled her eyes. She threw back her head and groaned.

“What is the point?” the farmer asked.

“I have to say that I agree with Lewis,” Muriel said. Clyde quickly nodded. Lily forced herself to smile. They were going to take work. A whole lot of work.

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Hiring at the Sunny Plum wasn’t going so well. There was a little progress this time. The latest potential hire sat at the table, smiling. Crusher couldn’t take his eyes off of her.

“You are so fit,” he said. The girl nervously laughed.

“Uh… cheers…” she said. She scooted away from him. Crusher wouldn’t stop grinning.

“Dustin!” a voice shouted from behind. The pair turned their heads. Annie stood behind them, frowning. The boy lowered his head in shame.

“Sorry, Auntie,” he said.

“Where is your overcoat?” she asked.

“I don’t want to wear it,” he complained. “I look stupid in it!”

“Nonsense,” Annie said. “You look smart. Professional.” She patted him on the shoulder.

“Now, go on,” the owner said. “Go put it on.” Her nephew sighed.

“Fine,” he said. Crusher got up from the table and walked back to the kitchen. Annie turned to the girl at the table.

“I apologize,” she said. “He didn’t bother you too much, did he?” The girl blinked at her.

“No…” she said.

“Good,” Annie said. And then the interview began.

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Lily had a game plan. The problems stemmed from her friends. They never wanted to do anything productive. This wasn’t going to do. Lily rolled her shoulders and clapped her hands. Her friends looked up.

“Yeah?” Muriel asked.

“Everybody get up!” Lily shouted. Her friends gave her a weird look.

“Why you clappin’ at us like kids?” Clyde asked. The former teacher took a breath before she cleared her throat.

“We are going down to the local church!” she announced.

“Why?” Lewis asked.

“I volunteered us to help clean it up for tonight’s service,” Lily said.

“Why?” Muriel asked.

“We need to be more active around this town,” the former teacher said.

“Why?” Clyde asked.

“Because it’s the right thing to do,” Lily said. “She already knew where this was heading.”  The former teacher put up her hand.

“We are going because it’s the right thing to do and it gives back to Brit-Wales as a whole,” she said. “Now, please. No more questions. Just get up and let’s get going.” Clyde stuck her hand up in the arm. Lily groaned and rolled her eyes. She could see where this was going.

“Yes?” Lily asked. Clyde put down her hand.

“Why?” she asked. The former teacher sighed and rubbed her head. They were all going to need more work. A lot more work. The question was was she up for the task?

End