4.2 - A Better Future for the Valley

Victoria's Viewpoints

I now have three children. It's amazing. Little stair-steps is what they are. And me, well I turned gray while little Allen was still but an infant. His birth was short of a miracle. 

I don't mind so much. I have Flo and my brothers to help me; all who are also now gray. But the good thing is, we are able to function normally although a bit weak still in our old age even with all of the workouts when we were younger. 

My experiment is still going well and soon I will be able to present it to the council. 

Garland

My surprise helper is Garland. He absolutely loves little Allen. Who knew.  

In between feeding babies, he managed to restore power. It was a glorious day! Power and soon to be rain...it was amazing. We could get lights and all sorts of electronic equipment. My secret sanctuary will certainly benefit from the electricity and no longer have to depend on the generator. Think of all the food we can cook now.  

Irving

Of course, Irving did what he set out to do as well. We can buy and sell our things with no restrictions. If someone needs something, we can order it - online! The internet is back thanks to Garland getting the power going again. You never know how much easier things are with internet access. So all of this is working together nicely. Communication is at an all time high and so much easier. 

Flo told Irving and Garland it was time for them to leave home. They had done more than enough and needed to spend their remaining years making the most of it enjoying the new freedoms they helped put in place through their hard work.  The two men left leaving Flo as the nanny for my three children. I could have never done it without her help.  

Whitney

Whitney was soon going to school with her big sister Addison. Flo was always there to see to it that they got their homework done on time and they were fed. She was busy between caring for them and little Allen while they were at school and she never ever complained, not once. 

While Florence took care of my babies, I worked hard at my compound. I repaired all the broken equipment and saw to it things were nice and clean. 

Thank goodness we had found an untainted water supply underground. I think the clean water, the cleanliness of the compound and the food...oh there was so much great food, is what drew everyone. Everyone helped too. That was amazing. 

My kids were growing up so fast and I was missing much of it. It seemed like I came home just to sleep and rarely had time to help Flo take care of any housework much less see to my children's welfare.

I hope they will forgive me. Where have I heard that before? Oh yes, reading these journals. But we can clearly see that the sacrifices the Gentry family has made over the years have helped - right? I mean I am lucid in my old age, we now have electricity, good food, communications, trade, we are stronger than ever before, we have a wonderful library full of information, our kids can go to school. All of this is because of my family. I am proud and I pray that my contribution doesn't fail, because if it does, then I will have failed the Gentry name. Well, everything except producing three awesome children that can pick up the pieces I may leave behind. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Allen

Addison

Birthdays were coming so quickly. Allen joined his sisters in school and Addison entered into her teenage years. Thank goodness she still has Florence at home to help guide her unlike me and my siblings who lost our mother at her age which put me in charge.

Thinking of getting put in charge, I need to decide who will lead the family when I am gone. I know it needs to be Addison, but I worry if she is strong enough. She is in her own fabricated world most of the time. But maybe that is a sign of her genius? One can only hope.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

My compound, I named Gentry Gardens because I thought it might one day be that, was very close to being where I wanted it to be before I presented my plan to council. We housed almost 100 refugees in our numerous buildings. 

The main building housed most of the amenities where the folks would come to chill out. We made good use of the water supply in secret. We managed to build a swimming pool and even a heated whirlpool tub. It was a guest favorite.




We also had a wedding arch so folks could publicly commit to one another. We had a lot of folks that took full advantage of that! I can't count the number of couples that professed their love of the other. Maybe the surroundings of my shelter helped them feel confident in a better future - even though a lot of them were gray headed like me!



I spent my time inspecting the grounds and making sure it was clean. It was important to instill a sense of pride in the surroundings. Everything has been so nasty for so long, that seeing things clean was a wake up call for a lot of folks.

But...my favorite part was the food! Such wonderful varieties of food. Everyone raved about it. I loved it for sure. And everyone knew it was a Gentry that made this even possible.

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------

Whitney

I was pleased to find that my children were working hard on their education and fitness in spite of my virtual absence in their lives. But the compound is so close to being complete. I just need to get that one last piece finished and then, hopefully it will be worth it.

Soon, my youngest daughter was a teenager. My girls reminded me so much of their father with their blonde hair.  And then there was Allen who got my crazy thick black mop of hair, well it used to be black!

Addison and Whitney are still bonding although I think Whitney is a bit jealous of Addison's place in the family. Sibling rivalry. Very normal. I think she works harder than Addison. She tries to outdo Addison in everything she does. Maybe that is the competitive spirit instilled in her by Flo. To be the best you can be. Maybe. 

It just seems like yesterday that I was their age and having to tell my sister that she cannot ever have children. Thank goodness they don't have to do that. 

At least the girls aren't the only ones that work hard on their studies. Allen is all about getting done so he can play. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Allen

I can't express how lucky I feel. I am living to see my children into their teen years. Addison is taking on more responsibility helping with meals and it was a total surprise when I looked at my Allen and he was all grown up. I know they will scoff at that. Mom, who is that? I thought Flo was our mother. I am close my children. I will make it better for you so that maybe you can spend time with your children and get to be close to them, but you did have Florence and that was a gift for her since she couldn't have children of her own and I know you love her.

I knew it was time. I spoke to Addison to let her know that I might not be around much longer. She was the oldest and should consider taking over as the head of the Gentry family. 

I knew Florence had been teaching them and reading them the journals. All except mine. I told Addison I would let her have mine and she needed to read them. She asked if that meant she could tell Whitney what to do...Maybe I will live a little longer...She is still a bit young, or am I making excuses for her. I certainly can't blame Flo, the blame is all mine if my children are clueless. 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

It was a joyous day today! My plan succeeded! My compound was a success and the council decided we could now expand our homes. They are now homes for real and not just shelters!!! I went to work on ours immediately and after just a few months, it was expanded to where we didn't have to live underground anymore.

We converted the top floor to an entertainment and work area. It is so nice to have so much room to move around. We have a working television. Well most of the time. The government still restricts the channels. But at least we get some good information. They have an amazing cooking channel.

The first floor has been expanded to include our bedrooms. It is so much better that we don't have to go into the dark and damp basement anymore. We have cordoned off one room for a nursery for future Gentry's. The kitchen is roomier and we even have a microwave. Amazingly fast meals. 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

I am so happy I could cry. Today is a milestone. I think I am the first Gentry to see a child graduate from high school! My mother died when I was a teen. This is truly remarkable and to make it even better, Addison seems to have been reborn at reaching this milestone in her life. 

It is time for another chat. 

I called Addison in and this time she wasn't being childish. I think being the oldest and the first to graduate has made her grow up. I had seen it even if I wasn't here all the time. She has it in her. I know it. 

As I spoke to my oldest daughter, she seemed to be very receptive. Then she told me that because she could see what the clean water did for people she wanted to go into the medical field and to figure out how to clean up the water supply. With the cleaner air that Flo had created and adding clean water to that, people may live even longer. Healthcare would once again be available. I was so proud of my daughter. She had certainly grown into a responsible woman in spite of me.

Then she surprised me even more. She told me I should seek out their father and try to make a life with him or maybe get a place of my own. I deserved a chance at happiness for all that I had done. I was certainly shocked at what I thought was a self-centered child. She insisted so I will not be updating my journal any longer. This is my last post. I will watch my children from the sidelines, pretty much as I have done their whole life. Having me at home would cramp their style. I asked my sister to move in with me. I hadn't heard from Randall in some time and was afraid of what I would or wouldn't find. 

Before I left, I had one more conversation with Allen. He was the youngest and would undoubtedly be hurt the worst if both me and Flo moved out. He was surprisingly nonplussed at the idea. I guess he expected it. Flo must have prepared them well. I will never be able to repay her.  

Thank you Florence for your sacrifice. Addison, Whitney and Allen, always do your best. If a job is worth doing, it is worth doing well. 

Your loving mother

Victoria Gentry

<----Go back to Chapter 4.1    Go to Chapter 5.1----->

4.1 - Growing Up Fast

Victoria Viewpoints

Victoria

My name is Victoria Gentry. I have two brothers and a sister. But you already know that if you are reading this. Our Mother died recently a victim of old age. She went sooner than the four of us would have liked. We will miss her. Now we have to grow up fast. Especially me...

Tyler

Before she died she said it was my turn to take over the journal which is now a Gentry family tradition. She handed me the others to read and I spent hours reading them all - beginning with the one from my great-grandmother Abilene. Reading my mother's entries made me cry since I was a part of it. But that is the past and I and my siblings are here to keep rebuilding our town in the Gentry tradition.  

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Today, as we were doing homework, I began to ask about the contribution each of us wanted to make. I already knew what I would do. Mom had said I was a leader, so I wanted to provide a place for others to go that needed a place to live. I wanted to show we didn't need to live restrained in a tight spaces, that expanding our homes was possible and beneficial. 

Next, I asked my sister. She wanted to clear the skies and do away with the constant snow. I thought this was strange, but she said she could lead a powerful song that would temporarily remove the clouds and allow the sun to shine and cleansing rain to fall making the ground less toxic. Since she was a mutant, I figured she knew what she was talking about.

Irving said now that we no longer had to pay the mob we actually had money, but the ability to use it was limited. He wanted to repair the supply chains so commerce and trade could once again begin to flourish. 

And Garland, such a studious boy, he wanted to restore the power grid. We could use our phones, but we had read about what could be if there was power again. That would be the door that could open all other doors. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We all continue our workout routines as prescribed by our Uncle Marshall.  We will soon be graduating from school. I wish mom were here to see it. She sacrificed so much so we had this opportunity. She would have been so happy! We can't let our family and the town down. We are Gentrys! And that name now means something. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------

I watched my little sister climb into bed the other night and noticed her legs were now more pink than purple. Maybe this means she is beginning to adapt. I hope so. 

Irving has to follow her around at school and home to make sure he has her water pail nearby.  As soon as she has outgrown her mutation, I will have a talk with her to let her know she cannot ever marry or have children. I am not looking forward to that conversation. I will show her mom's journal if she has any questions. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------

We almost lost Flo at school today. She walked out of the building and passed out. She lay on the ground for what seemed like hours before Irving could make his way through the crowd and get to her. Fortunately he did and they were both able to still catch the bus home. A few minutes later and we would have been three. 

Later, at home, it happened. The pink scales fell off and flesh was underneath. It was traumatic for her I could tell. But now she doesn't need to be revived with water anymore and her appetite is more normal. More for me and Garland.

Really, it is nice to see her looking normal even if a little scrawny.  

------------------------------------------------------------------------

For all intents and purposes, Flo is cured, well except for bearing children, so it was time for our 'talk'. She needed to hear it while she was still a teenager. 

After our workout we sat down to chat. I thought it was going to be hard to tell her. She looked up to me since mom was gone. In fact, they all did. I had really become a leader to them. 

She surprised me. When I told her that because of her mutation, she could not have children because she could pass it on to others, Flo laughed at me for being so serious. 

Flo threw her hands up in the air and said, "Are you kidding. I have no desire for any children of mine to have to endure what I have for my entire life. I am very happy that is over with. I will make a difference in other ways. I know in my soul how to make it warm up and begin to rain."  Sweet Flo....you will be always remembered. 


------------------------------------------------------------------------

The boys kept to themselves a lot and helped each other with homework. Male bonding I suppose. 

Poor Irving still relied upon his paper bag. Hopefully he will outgrow it soon. Irving still prepares our meals for us and has become quite a good cook. 

Garland hates his workouts, he would much rather play chess, but he and I both were losing our baby fat as a result of them. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------

We had settled into a routine after mom died and our adult birthdays were soon upon us. We would be teens no more. Irving and I were first followed only a couple of years later by Victoria and Garland. 

Irving prepared our birthday cakes for us so we could celebrate. 

Irving

Irving got a job with the business office immediately. He planned to figure out why there was such a bottleneck with supplies and why we couldn't get them to the people that needed them.

He was so excited. He couldn't wait to get started.  

Victoria

I on the other hand had a plan. There was a property not far from our house. I could improve it and build a secret refugee camp to help those that need help and they would help me maintain it. If I could make this work, then we could take over the political system and get rid of the red tape that was slowing down the rebuilding efforts of the Valley. I made a few phone calls and put my plan into action. 






------------------------------------------------------------------------

Florence

Garland

Florence got a job with the music center to rebuild it. Once she could make the song of spring, it would begin to rain. She knew it. 

Garland wanted to get the internet working again and have lights and power. He went to work at the science lab. 

We were all set and settled into new very frantic routines between work and exercise. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------

I think Garland was so proud of his new physique that he often 'forgot' to put his shirt on when he went to Great Grandma Abby's library to study the gardening books. Maybe he could figure out how to get algae which there was plenty of) to provide the fuel for the power plants. 

Yes, Garland, you look good...for now. Just don't forget your workout routine! 





------------------------------------------------------------------------

I almost have everything under control at the compound. We have bunkers and even found some entertainment, power and water for the refugees. Hah, they have it better here than any of us have in our homes. We have to keep it gated to keep out the nosy ones. 

Since it was coming along and so was I - in age - I told my brothers today that I was going to try to have a baby with a friend of mine. I didn't want them to be surprised. Flo already knew. 

Garland was more worried than Irving. At least Irving had finally outgrown his paper bag so maybe that was why. He just told me they were here for me and would help however they could. I was lucky to have such supportive siblings. Garland reluctantly agreed.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

I had met Randall in school and we hit it off. I really was falling for him and wished that we could be together as a family, but there just wasn't room in our bunker, especially since I wanted to have as many children as possible. He agreed he wouldn't move in but wanted an exclusive relationship. I readily agreed. He said he would be honored to be the father of the next Gentry generation. I guess our reputation is beginning to be noticed.  

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Things went as they should and I was soon pregnant. I was able to continue to work on the compound during my pregnancy. Then, it began, the labor. Just as everyone says, the worst pain that you forget as soon as you hold your child in your arms. My first little girl, Addison, was born. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------

With four adults in the house, you would think taking care of an infant would be a breeze. Well, with all of us trying to work and study, taking care of Lindsay turned out to be a little more than we bargained for. Going to work sleep deprived isn't good for concentration. 

But I didn't let that little issue bother me, I missed Randall and he happily came to see me and his daughter. We proceeded to make baby number two. 

Now I am the proud mother of two daughters. 

Randall gave me another little girl we named Whitney. (Yes, I am continuing the family tradition, Texas cities).

Addison

Addison was soon a toddler, but that didn't ease up the burden I was placing on my brothers and my sister. 

Life was harder now than it had ever been because we were all still working hard to make our marks. I was close but it wasn't going to be finished before my hair was gray or my brothers either. It seemed our little mutant Flo was the closest to getting the rain to fall. 

------------------------------------------------------------------

Flo came home with wonderful news. She had done it. Soon the rain would fall and the skies would clear. The snow would melt. That would have to help with Garland's issues with science. He hoped so. 

She also told him that she was going to quit work and stay with me to help take care of Addison and Whitney and any other children that I might have. Since she couldn't have children of her own, she really wanted to be a part of their lives. 

She also told him and Irving that they should move out when they had accomplished all they could with their goals. She has become my best friend. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Since Flo had quit, I decided I had to give it one more try before it was too late for me to bear any more children. Maybe I would get a boy, but another girl would be fine too. I invited Randall over. His gray hair hit home. I too, would be gray in the not too distant future.

Gray headed or not, he was still my best friend and lover. I truly do love Randall. I wish we could have lived together as a family. 

I was officially with child once again. I watched little Whitney sleeping while I felt the life inside of me moving around. It was a good sign. 

With Flo taking care of the children I went back over to the compound and began to make additional improvements. Hopefully it would soon be good enough to present to the council so they can see how much better things can be if they remove the ridiculous building restrictions. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Garland and Whitney

Flo wasn't the only one helping with the girls. Whitney was soon out of the crib and crawling around with her big sister Addison. 

Garland adored them, but he liked them a whole lot better when they were sleeping instead of crying!  

Addison

Whitney wasn't the only one getting bigger. Addison is ready to start school. And believe me she needs it! She was growing up to be a bit insane. It's no wonder. I feel terrible that she didn't have the nurturing that we had as children. My mom and Aunt Pampa taught us everything. My children are left to entertain themselves while we try to work and I try to have more babies! 

------------------------------------------------------------------------

I went into labor with what I knew would be my last child. Thankfully this time I had Flo by my side. 

I could tell I was getting too old to conceive any more children and have sadly broken the Gentry curse of twins! But at least this time Randall gave me a little boy. 

We named him Allen. With seven of us in the house, we are grateful that at least Addison is more self-sufficient. She even helps get Whitney bottles and entertains her. 

That's all for now - Victoria....

<-------Go Back to Chapter 3.3          Go to Chapter 4.2----->