Out in the dirt road Wilson and Paul are having a small talk. "Wilson, why don't ya have a kid yet?" Paul asked
"Oh you know, Clara doesn't want any and I work a lot. It's just not possible for me to balance all of this." Wilson says as Paul pays attention to the road "You know, I also struggle spending time with my wife and adding children will only make things worse"
"Yeah sorry I forgot" Paul says apologetically "It's weird that I almost forgot that. I usually never forget anything important like that" Paul says as he keeps on thinking about Eva's future
"Don't worry, you're just stressing about Eva, it's normal for a father to feel that way" Wilson says patting Paul's back "It's a good sign that you're a caring father. There's pride in that… well if you look at it in a certain angle"
Paul chuckles a bit "Wilson you're right on that" both men continue chatting hoping for the best
——
Meanwhile in the afternoon Ashly is at Jessica's place. Candy is resting on Jessica's lap sleeping. "Wow" Jessica says, her eyes sparkling "Eva is going away like leaving this town? That's awesome, I thought only men were allowed to do that"
"Well Jessica you're wrong" Ashly says petting Candy "Eva is much different as well, she is much kinder and is learning to cook" Ashly says
Jessica is happy for Ashly and asks "Won't you be lonely? I mean Eva was a bit of a stormy cloud but she is your sister. I can't imagine how lonely you will be" Jessica says trying to not ruin the happy mood
"Don't worry" Ashly says "I can hadle it, I'm growing into a big girl." Ashly lifts her doll "Besides I have Sophie to comfort me, specially since Eva was the one who named her"
"Wow that's awesome" Jessica says "I wish I had an older sister" Jessica says as she hugs her cat
"So you are jealous of me then" Ashly says teasingly which Jessica laughs at
"Yeah I guess I am" they both pet Candy and he gets irritated and stands up to leave "Candy don't leave yet" Jessica says as she holds onto him which causes him to run away. Ashly and Jessica stand up and start running after Candy
——
It's the following morning, it's warm and the sky is cloudy. "Alright Mom" Eva says "It's time for the harvest. Don't forget to gather and collect as many vegetables as possible"
"Yes Eva I know, I was going to join the harvest anyways." Emma says a bit tired "Let's not be hasty, Ashly is at her friend Jessica's for the time being." Emma says as Eva is rushing her
"Let's go mom, if we get there early we can gather more" Eva says as she starts pushing Emma to the front door
"Alright Eva" they both exit through the front door. Eva is practically dragging Emma through the street. Emma is a bit tired as Eva woke her up much earlier than she wanted to.
They continue to walk and make it to the open fields of a farm. "Here is one of the locations" Emma says "Here atleast they grow carrots, Henry the farmer is more than willing to pay decently for a pound of carrots." Emma says
"Eva do you know when the harvest first began?" Emma asked Eva who shook her head no. "Well the harvest first bagan as a solution for a shortage. Back over 63 years ago this town was mostly land that farmers owned. Merchants came here to buy their vegetables and fruits and in return sold them products." Emma says
"So it started because they grew more than they expected then?" Eva says "Why did they do that if they didn't have enough workers"
"Well Eva, back then farmers were asked by the government to produce more as a form of "safe". I mean that it was a last resort in case food became scares." Emma explains "It's around this time were food was not so abundant as other seasons. It was also when the population started to grow and scarcity was imminent"
Eva is surprised as she never heard of this before "But why haven't I heard of this?" Eva askes
"Well I myself don't understand but it's different now. They overgrew vegetables, and a way for the vegetation to not be wasted the government asked for help. They made small ports where people can find easy and cheap jobs. The government gave the farmers money so that they could not only pay the extra people, but also to sell the vegetables for cheap." Emma says as they wait for Henry the harvest to start "Eventually the ports grew as more and more people started living here, merchants stayed" Emma says
"Now it's just a tradition Eva, a tradition that everyone appreciates. The farmers get money, we get paid, and the government can received cheap vegetables to the people in districts." Eva is fascinated
"Well is there more that I don't know about this town?" Eva asked
"No Eva, well as much as I know of" Emma says, finally more people arrive and Henry is approaching.
"Alright everybody. Today is the 63th year of the Harvest. Let's make sure that this year stays strong as always" Henry says "Alright everyone, 1 pound is 17 copper coins understood?" Henry looks around "Good" Henry checks the clock and it's 6:58 "Let's start now, no need to wait till its seven."
Emma and Eva begin collecting carrots putting them in baskets. Eva is collecting them at an impressive rate "Eva slow down, the harvest is two days long." Emma says "Don't tire yourself so quickly"
Eva slows down a bit "Sorry mom I'm just excited" they continues to collect carrots "Thanks to the abundance of people born 63 years ago" Eva says "I can make so much today" Eva then looks up at the sky
"Geez, I'm glad you came with me" Emma says "I think I'm becoming a bit too old, I'm getting tired already" Emma says as they have been Collecting carrots for an hour already "If only I did more walking"
"Don't worry mom, I got this" Eva says "Remember, we are basically making twice the amount than if it was only you" Emma watches as Eva pops a big smile
It's been a few hours and they had made impressive progress. "Eva I think this is enough for today" Emma says "We made more than I expected, Ashly is definitely waiting for us to pick her up."
"You can go" Eva says "Let me go at it for a bit longer" Emma stands up and grabs Eva's hand
"Eva, you and I haven't done manual labor before. Let's call it a day, you can't be tired and sore tomorrow" Emma says which Eva understands and stands up
"Alright mom lets go, my arms are getting heavier" Eva starts stretching them. With the amount of carrots they gathered go to Henry who pays them accordingly. "Yes" Eva says "We made about 2 silvers coins and 2 copper coins. This is amazing progress".
Emma smiles "Yep and they are all yours to keep" Eva looks at Emma with shock "Are you sure? Why not keep some of it mom?" Eva says
"Don't worry about me, as long as you are happy it's more than ok with me" Emma says as she hugs her. "Let's go get Ashly now"
They arrive at Jessica's place and pick up Ashly "How much have you two made?" Ashly asked. Eva shows Ashly the coins "Wow that's a lot. I can't believe they can afford to give so much!" Emma giggles
They return back home tired but happy. Emma starts to go to the kitchen but Eva stops her "Mom let me cook today, you must be very tired" Eva says
"Alright but let me guide you" Emma says as they are at the kitchen. Ashly sits back in the couch covered in fur. "Go take a bath Ashly" Emma says and Ashly runs upstairs
I hope dad is having fun" Eva says "He should be back soon right?" Eva says and Emma nods "Of course, just one more hour or so"
Eva starts cooking listening to every instructions that Emma gives her. Eva is surprised at how easy it is and how much she is learning. "Good Eva, just leave the pot to boil a bit longer, and then add the chopped potatoes" Emma says and they hear knocking coming from the front door, Paul has returned
"I'm back" Paul says "Eva I took notes of everything I saw" Paul walks into the kitchen holding a notebook. Eva's eyes light up and she looks at Emma who nods and lets her go with Paul
"That's great dad" Eva says as they sit at the dinner table "Tell me everything" Paul smiles and opens the notebook full of markings of locations. They have notes on possible places where Eva can stay at and possible locations of where she could possibly find a job. Eva grabs the notebook "Tell me how was it"
"Well it was overwhelming but in a good sense. The place is safe and mostly from what I can see, there are some nice people." Paul says as Eva continues to flip through the notebook
Paul continues with his explanation of his experience. Eva is quietly listening to everything he says which makes Paul happy. Ashly watches from a far hearing everything which is to much for her. "Wow that's way too much information, I think I'm loss" Ashly says as she sits next to Paul who continue to talk.