#colony park | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

colonypark · 2 years

Text

Colony Park Chapter 1: The Move

Colony Park

Chapter 1: The Move

BY: Christopher Lane

“Sadie, we’re moving. We should have left the last time I brought it up.” Michael said.

“What are you talking about? What’s wrong this time?” Sadie answered.

“My love, we need to get the boys and we need to pack all that we are going to need in less than 24 hours. I am not sure how long we will have till they close the banks. Lucky for us, I can’t help but prepare. I put some cash inside a wall in the basement.”

“Wait you hid money? Where?” Sadie asked Michael.

“Out of everything I said, all you heard was I hid money in the basement?”

“How much money?” Sadie asked.

“It’s enough for us to get into that trailer park sooner than what we were already intending. We need to go over there and sign some papers, I told them I was not sure which one you would want, but they have quite a few available.” Michael said.

“What do you think is going to happen if we don’t leave? I don’t get why we need to leave. We have been here for 10 years. Our boys have spent most of their lives in this house.” Sadie said

“Darlin, please, I am not a fortune teller. Anything I say about what could happen would be nothing more than a guess. I don’t know what exactly is going to happen, I just know that I am way beyond my comfort level to be where we are now. We need to go my love. It’s not safe here anymore. I promise this is not another PTSD thing. This is the current reality we are in. Unfortunately, this is not a flashback.” Michael said

“Alright, we’re packing, but I want you to keep telling me what’s in your head. Should I call my parents to watch the boys?” Sadie asked.

“Yeah, that’s fine. Let them know were moving out to South Byron to that trailer park we had talked to them about before. Be quiet about our real reasons though. You know your parents are not going to believe what’s going on and I don’t have the time or desire to convince them into reality. If they don’t know by now, they will never know.” Michael answered.

“Michael, I don’t even know what’s going on. I never see the things you see, and I just don’t have the time to research it. You know I trust you and if you say it’s so, then it is what it is. You have always kept us at your forethought. I know you have us there this time too.” Sadie said.

While Michael was thinking of the best way to respond, Sadie Added, “What if she asks why we’re moving now? You know my mom is not gonna take us moving away well. She is gonna have all sorts of questions and concerns.”

“Like I have said before, put your foot down if she gets pushy. They both still see us as children who want every say on how we are supposed to live our lives. It’s just something we must overlook.”

Michael hesitated a second, formulating the rest of his response. Diligently trying to differentiate between what was a rational and what was an emotional thought.

Michael continued, “If it is a good faith question, tell her my job told me they would pay out an extra vacation day if I took my time off now instead of the week of Christmas. She should be understanding to that because we already told her we were moving. The only difference is that it’s about 3 months sooner than we had planned.”

“Are you changing jobs? You said when we talked about this last, you would quit your job and find another when we move.” Sadie asked.

“Which room should we start on first?” Michael asked

“Why are you changing the subject?” Sadie asked

“I’m not changing the subject. I only wish to stay on task while we talk, but we need to start somewhere.” Michael answered.

“Let’s start in the kitchen. Now tell me, are you changing jobs? I need to know because of Thomas’s Therapy. He likes her a lot.” Sadie said

Michael motioned with his head in the direction of the kitchen and began walking that way. The thoughts were racing through his head. There were one million responses he could have given, but there was only one answer he wanted to give her.

“Do you remember how I was kicked out of the military?” Michael asked

“Yeah of course, the discharge you refuse to fix.” Sadie answered.

“That’s the thing.” Michael said

“What thing? What are you talking about. Be straight with me.” Sadie demanded.

“I fixed my discharge a couple years ago. We’ll have insurance through the VA.” Michael said as he looked down at his feet in shame.

“What! You never said anything. Is that a bad thing? I thought this is what you wanted.” Sadie asked

“That’s because I don’t think the VA will be operational much longer. That’s why I have been preparing for the last couple years.

Michael took in a long deep breath, looking Sadie in the eyes he asked, “Do you promise not to be mad at me if I show you something?”

“I won’t make you a promise I can’t keep.” Sadie answered

There was a short pause where all Michael could do was keep gazing into her eyes. Afraid that she would find fault in his integrity. The one thing he could offer everyone he interacted with, especially his wife who he loved so much. He would often joke of how valuable something so cheap could be.

Sadie Continued, “We have been married for almost 11 years. We have three boys together. We had nothing, then we had something, and now we have nothing again. The only thing of value we have is our word and I know you are a man of yours, so I am sure it can’t be as bad as you think it is.”

Michael sat the stack of plates onto the counter and grabbed a hammer out of the junk drawer he was standing next to. Closing it just as gently as he opened it, he turned back to Sadie.

“Follow me.”

Sadie followed Michael into the basement. He took her over to a room where the hot water heater stood next to a furnace.

“Cover your ears love.”

Michael began to swing at the wall as blocks of 20-dollar bills fell out from between the studs. With every swing a new batch of twenties with random singles here and there filled the floor. The noise that was being generated drew our three boys’ attention and without missing a beat Sadie made way to meet the footsteps that were stomping towards the basement stairs.

“STAY UPSTAIRS.” Sadie yelled up to the boys.

“WHATS DAD HAMMERING?” Thomas yelled back.

“DAD’s FIXING THE WALL. GO WATCH TV WE’LL BE THERE IN A FEW. GET YOUR THINGS YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO GRAMMIES” Sadie answered.

Once Sadie heard footsteps make there way back across the floorboards, she made her way back to Michael.

“Michael where did you get this money.”

“I have been collecting 100 percent disability for PTSD for about 4 years now. They upgraded my discharge and gave me a full medical retirement. They upgraded me to a chapter 17 medical discharge, and they have been sending me a paycheck once a month. I didn’t lie to you I just didn’t tell you.”

“Oh my God. There has got to be over ten thousand dollars in there. Why didn’t you tell me. We have been poor for so long, why would you keep this from me?” Sadie asked.

“Its $178,257. 83 to be exact. I have cashed the money out every month and I have been putting them in the holes between the floor joists. I have a handwritten ledger here. It is all accounted for including the printout of the bank statements. Again, my love, I did not lie to you. I did not tell you out of embarrassment at first, then I didn’t tell you when I realized how hard it was for you to give up the comforts you had grown accustomed to. I am so sorry. I figured If we didn’t have money, you would become more resourceful with what we have. You blew my expectations out of the water when you adapted so well. We have always had what we needed to survive we never went hungry. We just didn’t have stake money.”

“Michael, I am not mad at you. I just don’t understand you.” Sadie said as she turned away from Michael and made her way back up the stairs. Michael following behind.

In the short amount of time it took to walk back to the kitchen, she had already began to fester over the idea that their poverty was self-inflicted.

“Why do we need to leave today?” Sadie asked as she picked up the stack of plates that he had sat down earlier.

“Have you not heard about Los Angeles Yet? The entire city is on fire. Gangs of people roaming the streets killing and stealing from one another. Chaz called me about it earlier today. A black boy was shot outside of a store by a cop while playing with a gas station toy gun with his brother. A mob started there and all of the people in the area beat the cop to death and hung him from the power pole. His picture has been all over the internet. They hung him naked only after carving “no more” into his chest. It’s not stopping with LA. There have already been reports of rioting in Portland, Austin, Topeka, and Chicago.” Michael explained to Sadie

Michael looked over to Sadie who was crying. She had already pulled up the videos on her phone confirming the story in LA.

“Those poor kids.” Sadie said

She handed her phone over to Michael. The images of children dead in the road, toys still in hand. The sounds of gun fire and breaking glass. The heat, Michael could feel the heat.

“Here, I know what it is already.” Michael said.

“I’m sorry” Sadie apologized for the imagery knowing how hard this was on him.

“It’s war my love. When the ignorant talk of war they envision men fighting men. They never show men fighting women and children. In war everyone fights, everyone dies.”

“Look at me.” Sadie said as she reached to put her arms around Michaels shoulders.

“I see you.” Michael said.

“We’re in this together.” Sadie said

“I am so happy to hear you say that. You know we are going to have to be discrete. We need to take what we need from here, nothing more, nothing less. Bring the armory, go light on furniture. Bring beds, dressers, and all my tools from the garage. Michigan Winter is harsh, so we need to make sure we bring all the kids Winter gear. Let’s drop keep sakes off at your folk’s house and ask them if we can keep it there until we settle into the new place.” Michael said

“What about my parents?” Sadie asked

“When they talk about being scared or concerned then I will call them. Till then you know your parents still think they can trust what they see on the government news channels. They don’t talk about the same things that we see online. Hell, half of what they see on the news isn’t even what exists outside. We have all brought this up to them before and they got mad at us. We can’t feel bad about the ones who don’t want help, or the ones who don’t think they need it. I kind of envy them. It is only a matter of time, if they reach out, we will always be here.” Michael explained

“Maybe I should repeat what we talked to them about last Christmas. Maybe they will take it more seriously if it’s coming from me. I didn’t want to make things worse when you and my brothers brought it up. They really did get so mad about it. Even if you guys were wrong, they should have seen it was out of care and love for them. They responded as if you guys were telling them you felt the opposite. I am glad you guys changed the subject fast. You guys really do work good together.”

Michael grabbed Sadie and rested his head on her shoulder, tucking the back of her neck into his beard.

“Stop it Michael, your beard is so scruffy. You should shave.”

Michael rolled his chin into her neck and held her tighter till she pushed him off in their usual playful manor.

By the way, I already messaged your brothers, they are getting their things together with their families as well. They will be there in 3-4 days, at least that’s what your brother wrote back. My brother Cody and his husband are coming too. We may need to ride heavy in these trailers until we figure things out. It won’t be the most pleasant, but I think its best that we all stay close for right now. At least till we get settled into whatever issues may be heading our way.” Michael said

“Wow, when did you talk to them?” Sadie asked

“Kibbler messaged me this morning in all caps that read,” “9- LINE.”

Michael continued “It’s the passcode we made for each other when we were in Iraq together. We were talking about hypothetical Armageddon's and Kibbler came up with the idea for a message we would know to use if we needed to link up. I have not heard from him since he texted. I called and left him a message and I am waiting for his call back. I don’t know what he knows yet. I only know what I have seen. I started looking online for what was going on and Crowder was on a live feed talking about politicians leaving the United States on air force one. They had camera footage of governors, senators, the speaker, the VP, and the president all loading onto Air Force one with their families. They did not know it was a live video feed, maybe they did, either way they shot the guy taking the video. The video ended with you being able to watch the secret service guy stomp the phone.”

“Why would their families be getting on the plane. What does this mean?” Sadie began to tear up.

“They left us high and dry. The sucked out every resource they could, put it in their random off shores bank accounts and dipped out.” Michael answered.

“There is no way that’s true.” Sadie said

“We have been watching them do this for over a century now. So many politicians went from lower middle class to multi-millionaires. We watched them push regulations that altered the markets to their benefit. They were always invested in the right equity at just the right time. Either they are prophets, or they are inside trading. Hell, look at this.”

Michael searched through his phone and pulled up a video of the speaker.

“Watch this to the end and you tell me what you think.”

The video began to play as Sadie listened diligently. Sadie was so focused as if it were morse code that she was going to decipher.

A reporter at a press conference from several years back asks, “Mrs. Speaker Some people say that you and the rest of the senators are insider trading by being able to participate in the stock exchange. That you may have the ability to profit off your position.”

The speaker scuffed at the question and responded, “We are private citizens as well as elected officials, we should have the right to participate in the stock exchange as any other private citizen has the ability to.”

“You have got to be kidding me. She acknowledged the conflict of interest and then said we should be able to do it anyway.” Sadie said as she handed Michael back his phone.

“You didn’t like politics, so I know you were not keeping up with all the boring stuff. You never got mad at me about bringing up politics, but you were often irritated by the subject. I figured it would be best if I prepare in the background and hope you could trust me when the time came to leave.” Michael explained

“I always thought this was your OCD, PTSD thing. I didn’t think it was anything to worry about. I thought your prepping was a coping mechanism. At least that’s what my therapist said.” Sadie said

Sadie laughed as she added, “I didn’t know you were prepping money in the walls though. That would have thrown off some bells for me.”

“That is not how PTSD works.” Michael smiled as he rolled his eyes.

“You told me that you have habits because of PTSD. Don’t laugh at me, how am I supposed to know. I don’t have it. But come on, hiding money in amounts like that would have made me nervous” Sadie said

“Love, storing food, water, ammo, and a chosen commodity is not a result of the military. That’s the result of wanting to be able to survive the real world. How many times does a government have to fail its people in order for them to put less faith in this systems dependability.” Michael said.

“Okay I get it. You don’t have to get all worked up. Everyone within 20 miles knows how much you hate the government.” Sadie said.

“Exactly! That’s why South Byron is over 20 miles away.” Michael said

#dystopian writing #my writing #science fiction #chapter 1 #political fiction #Colony Park

1 note · View note

alpaca-clouds · 8 months

Text

The Nature-Culture Divide

Something I have seen a lot of people within the Solarpunk sphere talk about and wonder is: "When did we stop seeing ourself as something outside of nature?" And given that I actually had a module on that (Social Geography, best module I ever had, given we had an anarchist professor!) I thought I could quickly explain this one.

So, the names come, in the end, from Latin and back when those words were considered in Latin, the difference was, that nature was a thing that was innate, while culture had volition behind it. You could change nature into culture by putting work into it.

Something that might surprise you is, that the idea of nature then was never quite big for most of European history. And let me make one thing clear: While we have these ideas also played with in Buddhist culture - especially in East Asia - the way we define it right now is a Western idea.

And that idea... Well, that idea came with colonialism. The thing many do not realize is, how much of the rules and "lines in the sand" that we use in our culture came from colonialisation, came from the desire to make "our" culture different from "theirs". It is shown in the way we eat, in the way we raise children, in the way we view gender and sexuality. And, yes, in the artificial border between nature and culture.

Before I tell you more about this, let me please say here: Yes, this is contradictive. I am aware of it. I am not the one who came up with the contradiction. White settlers did that all on their own.

When the settlers came to America they found a landscape very, very different from what they were used to from Europe. After all, Europe has been changed through human hand for at that point about 1600 years. (And for you Europeans out there: Researching how much forest your local area might have lost through the Romans is always a "fun" thing to do! Because the Romans destroyed a lot of European ancient forests.) In Europe, even at the wildest places, there was usually some evidence of human habitation - but this was not true for the Americas. Not because there were no people there, but rather because the people interacted with the environment very differently.

See, the European idea - while never quite that defined until this point - was really, really based on this thought that nature can be turned into culture. And that this transformation was in fact a good thing to happen. So, when the settlers arrived in the Americas they did not see "culture" there, only "nature" and set out to turn that "nature" into "culture".

Of course, we - modern people living today - do realize that indigenous people had in fact cultures of all sorts and that the actual difference was, that they just did not see that culture as something different from nature, rather than a part of it. Because their culture had not been influenced by Romans. But the settlers back then did not see this or rather did not want to see this. So they "cultured" the land, with the ideas about nature and culture being further formalized at that point.

It kinda stayed like this until the late 19th century, when Madison Grant, the originator of eco fascism came to be influencial. And now he saw something that the settlers until this point were unable to see: The indigenous people do stuff with the nature around them! They change it! For example through controlled burning of forests and things like that.

And this made Madison Grant very angry, because he was very much off the opinion that nature should be "unsoiled" by human hands. So... he made sure that those indigenous people got once more pushed out of the areas they were living, with the same areas being declared natural parks and no longer interfered with by humans (except, of course, all the tourists who destroyed it bit by bit). Leading... To a lot more wild fires.

So, where does this leave us in terms of the culture/nature divide?

Well, the idea has been there since ancient Rome and has very much influenced how much we view nature as its own thing. But within Rome nature was still not quite seen as the opposite of culture - as one could turn into the other. Under the Roman view an abandoned house or a field that was no longer cared for would turn back into nature, while anything could become culture just by interacting with humans.

The modern view really came through colonialism and the way colonialist did not understand (and did not want to understand) indigenous practices. This made people more and more drift towards the understanding of humans being an entirely different thing from nature.

But this is wrong, of course. We are part of nature. We are just animals with fingers and slightly larger brains. And many indigenous cultures understood this. In the end it was the greed of some that made us loose this connection to nature. And that is exactly why we are in this climate change related mess right now.

#solarpunk #history #culture #nature #culture-nature divide #colonialism #anti colonialism #indigenous knowledge #indigenous people #national parks

168 notes · View notes