Historical Setting, 629 C.E. Vosges
We ‘ve tucked Layla away in a safe place hidden from Will, safe with her mother and her sister. Now I’ve come to this little land patch where people try to nurture family despite the poverty. It would all be so simple if Layla could just leave Will and let us take care of her and the baby. Will is the epitome of my enemy. So, in my rote and righteous prayer I asked that God would let me love my enemy. I wanted God to fix him more loveable, not change me. But here I am called to the love-duty myself. Without Layla, I’ve come here with the donkey cart filled with the things from our own family. Why not just fit Layla out with all this, and let Will look on from the outside and see how a real family cares for its own? Layla has already given this numb idiot all the love he deserves and more. Of course, I know it isn’t God’s justice to limit love to only what someone deserves. But since God loves him, and Layla loves him, and he doesn’t even appreciate that, why am I called to care?
So here he snores in his drunkenness.
I investigate the state of his field. Nothing has been done here. He has a sack with some barely seed in the bottom of it that is molding and spoiled. The other serfs on this castle land have already plowed and planted. If he were my son I would …
Well, in a way, he is my son. His children will be my grandchildren.
The field next to his is already established, and that fellow sees me here and must assume this mess is mine.
“Hello Neighbor!”
My pride scurries me over to explain, I’m not this farmer here and I am a successful farmer from the far hills.
I excuse myself, “Good morning neighbor! It is my daughter and her husband who live here. I worried they needed some help.”
“He hasn’t done a lick of work there. He just rants like a mad man.”
I answer, “I just figured he needs a leg up. But I noticed the only seed he has is spoiled barley seed. How do all of you get your seed for this?”
“We all had a chance at the seed the landlord gave out. First come, first serve. He was last.”
“So, the landlord gives the seed? That’s why he has only barely and no oats?”
(Continues Wednesday, May 1 2024)
Lazarus Ink 