Manhattan
March 21, 2143
My name is Elise Ronni Barnes, but call me Lily, I was born in Old Brooklyn in April 14th of 2124. I have three siblings, James ‘Bucky’, Rebecca and Lance. Six months after our parents death, our sister Becky and her husband had to take care of me and Lance. This is my story…
Last winter was especially cold, the harvest froze and there were famines that killed thousands, people were desperate and killed each other. Eleven days ago, was Bucky’s birthday, it’s been almost two years without him, he went with Steve in a military mission and they didn’t come back. All I know is that the Howling Commandos (Bucky’s team) were stuck in Azzano waiting for orders.
Yesterday I went to Manhattan to trade for food and supplies for our family.
“How much for those.” I say pointing at potatoes, carrots and strawberries seeds.
“For the potatoes and carrots, ten coins.” Says the marketer. “Strawberries are very expensive, gave me your pendant.”
I gave her ten coins, but this pendant is grammas, I can’t!
“My gramma gave me this for my tenth birthday, please take my bracelet.” I say offering her my favourite bracelet.
“How old are you? You look really young.” Asks.
“Eighteen, ma’am.”
“Is that your dog?” She says pointing at my brown and black border collie.
“Yeah, one of them.”
“How many dogs you have?”
“Three, but why are you asking me this?”
“Give me one of you dogs and you can have all seeds and fruits.” She says.
“What!? No!” I say, angrily. “There’s no way I’m giving my dogs.”
Old lady’s face turns sad, she must be lonely and makes me sad, she looks like my gramma.
“I’m sorry, but I’m not giving away my dogs.”
“I understand.” Says. “You know, I’m so old, my husband is gone and our son went to the war fifteen years ago.”
“I’m Lily Barnes.”
“Myrna Loxe.” Says with a sad smile. “You are growing up, pick everything you want.”
“Thank you ma’am.” I say filling tiny bags with seeds.
“Oh please, call me Myrna.” Says with a big smile.
“Okay, Myrna.” I say putting the bags on my backpack. “I don’t want you to be alone tonight, it’s getting cold.”
“Oh Lily, I’ve survived every cold, warm and cloudy days since fifteen years ago.” Says looking at her family picture, I took a glance, they look warm, and happy. “I can handle this.”
“Well, the thing is…” Aw man! this sounds like Bucky. “You can stay in our home, you have seeds and fruits, and we don’t have a grandma.”
Laughs. “You are so nice, kiddo.”
“I learned it from my brother.”
“Well kiddo, I have too much work here in Manhattan.”
“Oh, I understand.” I say.
“If you want, you can work in my place for seeds and fruits.”
“That’s great!” I say.
“See you tomorrow!” Myrna says giving me an extra bag of seeds.
Now I have a job, she'll pay me in seeds, I can sell them, I need money to bring Bucky and Steve home.
Old Myrna gave me spinach, lettuce, radish, and damn, it’s been a long time without eating fresh vegetables!
She also gave me a bag with apples, leeks, onions and... plums. Plums, were, No, he's still alive! are Buck’s favourite fruit, Becky doesn’t know but every time we eat plums I save the seeds for my secret garden. It’s been two years since I began planting plum trees, when Bucky and Steve return home I'll cook the biggest and tastiest plum pie ever seen.
Finally I get my way to the subway, Jefferson has been asking for treats since we left Cyclone’s market.
“Jeffie! We’re almost in home.”
Bark, bark, puppy.
I can’t resist this face, too cute.
I throw at him a piece of my york and brioche sandwich that he ate in a second.
“Oh come on! Did you swallow it? What about chewing, huh?”
We enter the tunnels, I see the old trains, painted and destroyed, now inhabited by traders and artisans. I hide my food and hold stronger Jefferson’s lash, I don’t want to say I’m scared, but I am.
After the tunnels I feel hungry again, we stop close to the bridge. I sit on the bench looking at the East River while I eat the rest of my lunch.
“It’s getting dark, Jeffie.”
He stares at me.
“I miss Bucky so much. You too?”
Puts his paw onto my thigh, asking for more food. I give him an apple slice.
“Wh-what we can do?”
He looks at me while eating our apple.
“You know I’m not crazy, pal.” I smile at him.
I look into the ruined city, green has covered the buildings, making New York look alive. Suddenly, I remember my childhood, my favourite moment was when Bucky and Steve brought us to watch the Yankees play, Steve was still tiny and Bucky overprotective of us. That was our last summer together.