Finding Hope Read online

  “Hope… Hope…,” whispered Faith. “Hope, wake up. We’re leaving soon.”

  It had been six days since Thomas walked away and almost a month since Julian had passed. Hope was empty. She pushed along without purpose or meaning, like an autumn leaf in the winter wind.

  “You still need to get your stuff together. Gabe is out getting food. When he gets back we need to go. Do you need help packing?” Faith asked as she sat next to Hope’s tired soul.

  “I’ll get my stuff. I just need a few things,” Hope said as she clung to the couch like a stone in the river.

  Hope stood up and lifelessly walked to the back room. Once in her empty room, Hope placed the fine leather case containing the assorted thread and needles she had been given just the day before on the cold bed. Helen and Cal gave her the gift once she said her good-byes to the dear couple. Looking pale and thin, Hope began to clear the tattered clothing from her closet with eyes full of despair. She laid her clothes neatly on the bed next to her father’s guitar trying to piece together strength and ambition for the journey ahead.

  Hope walked back into the living room to collect the photos from the wall. Julian… she thought to herself as the tears pooled in her eyes. She took the memories, all she had left, and carefully placed them inside a small canvass bag to protect her baby from the ravages of the world. Walking back into the bedroom, Hope collapsed to her knees and painfully crawled deep into the closet. Retrieving a small shoebox, Hope sat back against the bed. She opened the frayed box revealing three small frames. Her face, full of pain, brightened for a moment as she gently slid her finger across the images she had hidden away. Hope joined Faith at the front door.

  “I’m ready to go,” Hope said as she pushed this chapter of her life into the past.

  Gabe returned with the meager supplies just in time to catch the horse drawn wagon going east. As they slowly lumbered down the decaying highway, Hope looked back at the life she was leaving and then went back to sleep.

  It took four days to travel the two hundred miles to New Providence. As they reached the outskirts of town they saw lush gardens speckle and weave among the pearly white buildings. The crumbling asphalt road they’d been traveling on had been pulled away and replaced with beautiful white quartz from the quarry ten miles away. A small river slowly passed through the center of town. Clean and clear, the water slid along its immaculate bank. Cutting through the lush surrounding fields, a railroad track sat in the distance. It appeared from behind the hills and crossed the river as it came into town. Getting closer to town, Hope heard music playing in the distance. The arrangement of rhythm and tone were exotic and new to Hope’s seasoned ears. The beautiful sound welcomed the tired and weary travelers.

  As their wagon made its way down Main Street, the people of New Providence smiled joyfully as they passed. The town was alive with people full of optimism. With his arm around Faith, Gabe noticed people sitting together sharing their lives.

  Along the meticulously groomed road sat many different stores and places to eat. In the center of town stood a building torn from the pages of Greek history. Made of a highly polished white material, the building appeared to be marble with specks of pink and green sparkling in the afternoon light. In large letters, perfectly carved above the towering oak doors, it spelled “New Providence City Hall”. Sitting outside the permanent structure, several men sat together engaged in a lively conversation. Although the words could not be heard from the distance, Faith and Gabe could tell they were talking politics and current events as men often do. Arms waving, voices raised, these men were laughing and enjoying life, sipping their drinks and enjoying each other’s company.

  Their wagon slowed to a stop in the town’s central square. As Hope, Gabe, and Faith stepped out of the wagon onto the crunching quartz ground, they could feel the surrounding possibilities. They watched as a small, beautiful young woman crossed the plaza.

  “Hello friends. How do you like this sunny day we’re having?” the petite young woman asked. “My name is Joy Yamabuki.”

  “Yes… it is gorgeous today and so is this town,” Gabe said reaching his hand out to greet Joy.

  “Is this the first time you have been here?” the cheerful young lady asked.

  “I once came through this way years ago, but it’s changed so much since then,” Faith said as she put her arm around Hope’s lower back.

  “My name’s Gabe, and this is my wife Faith and our good friend Hope,” Gabe said as he picked up the scent of roasted meat in the air.

  “Well it sure is nice to meet fellow travelers. I passed through this way three years ago and loved it so much, I never left. I work over at the Mercantile. If you need anything at all, just come give me a shout,” Joy explained. “Well, I better get back. My break is over, and I have many things to get done still today. Nice meeting you guys.”

  As Joy walked back to her corner of town, the tired and hungry travelers noticed the bounce in her step. Joy was a cute little thing with beautiful, black silky hair and perfect beige skin. Losing her parents during the great collapse, Joy was now twenty years old. She struggled in the aftermath, floating from town to town until landing in New Providence. She arrived in the midst of their great restructure and the drafting of their “Law”. She fit in perfectly with her bubbly attitude and desire to always help out. The town’s people loved her as much as she loved them. As the town rebuilt, their community evolved with a strict and dedicated adherence to their founding documents. It was these guidelines and principles put forth in the Law that defined who they are and how they live.

  “What is that amazing smell?” Gabe said trying to contain his excitement. “Is that beef?”

  Hope looked up and mustered a shrug. “Where are we staying?” she asked as she walked out into the plaza.

  They walked along the street, watching the pleasant people live their lives. As they passed by the unfamiliar faces, Hope noticed the sound of steel on steel. She looked across the street to see a blacksmith busy with his craft. He was standing with his shirt off trying to cool himself in the summer air. He was dirty and muscular with a simple purpose to his work. Feeling Hope eye’s, studying him intently, the man looked up and gave a friendly smile.

  As they reached the end of the street, they found a small hotel. It looked as if it had been recently built with fresh white paint and beautiful hand carved shutters. A couple of tables sat out front with a coffee pot and ceramic cups close by. Gabe, Faith, and Hope walked in feeling like sailors stepping on to dry land.

  “Do you have any rooms available?” Gabe asked as he retrieved the small sack where he kept his coins.

  “Sure do. Just the one?” the employee asked looking at the filthy travelers.

  “One will do it. Hey where would you go to get dinner in this town?” Gabe asked.

  The older man smiled showing one graying tooth. “Well, Nancy cooks up some real nice pies, but if you’re looking to eat-eat, I’d go down another block to Nikos. Great soup there, but you better hurry. Dinner ends at seven ‘round here,” the man behind the desk explained. “Room seventeen,” the man continued.

  As Gabe handed the man two small silver coins, he waited for the man to hand over the key. “Hmm, the key?” Gabe asked noticing the employee’s oversight.

  “No keys needed. The door’s unlocked,” the smiling man answered as he went back to his book.

  “…But I would like to lock the room. All our stuff will be in there,” Gabe replied in protest.

  “No need for locks here. Your stuff will be safe,” the man assured them.

  After dropping off their belongings in the room, they re-emerged onto the street. “Well, let’s get some food,” Gabe said as his stomach growled its approval.

  Upon finding Nikos, the three sat and ate a large meal of roasted beef, fresh fruit, and the most delicious bread and butter, allowing them to forget for a moment the difficulty of life and the struggles behind them.

  Over the next several days, the trav
elers settled into town. Hope found a job working at the mercantile as a seamstress. She quickly became essential to the business due to her skill and precision.

  Gabe joined the public farmers who worked the gardens around the whitewashed town. All the grains and vegetables grown in New Providence were delivered to city hall to be divided among the town’s people. He earned a specialist wage since he had been a farmer before. Faith took a job at the local schoolhouse teaching second graders simple arithmetic and to read and write. The town ran like clockwork, and the three felt at home among their new found neighbors.

  “So how are you settling in?” Joy asked Hope as she completed the last stitch on one of her many rain jackets she was repairing.

  “We’re doing OK. I feel a bit like a third wheel staying with Faith and Gabe at the hotel, but it’s OK I guess,” Hope answered still trying to forget Julian and Thomas. “It’s been five weeks now, and I’m still living out of a suitcase.”

  Joy smiled tenderly and put her hand on Hope’s shoulder. “Yeah, that would be hard. So tell me Hope, how are things out west? I hear they’re starting to re-build the rail line. Is that right?” Joy asked with innocent brown eyes.

  “It’s nothing like here. Everyone was for themselves back west, and it was hard just to find enough to eat. You guys have so many things rebuilt like electricity from the solar panels, the railroad, and the shipments of food. We were surprised to see running water when we came to town. That’s amazing! I can’t imagine going back to pumping and hauling all that water,” Hope replied.

  The town of New Providence was nearly destroyed four years ago. Like the rest of the country, infrastructure and city services completely broke down. Many of its people relocated to Topeka hoping that the Federal Government would step in and provide structure and order. The help never came. It was a time in man’s history that will stain memories for generations to come. Many people died from starvation while lawlessness ran wild. Unable to work, men could no longer provide for their families and became desperate. Looting, theft, and murder became the norm as law enforcement disappeared. Prisons were opened and gangs formed ruling the land unopposed. After the first year, even these gangs dissolved from fighting each other and their lack of community. They ended up forming small tribes of degenerates who were mostly eliminated by honest, hard-working people.

  During this time, a core group of men and women founded New Providence. They saw the chaos and pain all around them and committed themselves to building something better. With ideals for community living and an understanding of theology and religion, they created the Law. It was under this strict structure that things began to improve. By quickly removing those who wouldn’t conform, the town began to act as one. They began to farm, producing enough food to sell even after feeding their population. They also began to build, creating things other people needed. This built their reputation as a powerful center for trade among the region. With this reputation established, they acquired the materials they needed to rebuild their lives.

  “When you came into town, I saw you carrying a guitar. Do you play?” Joy asked while completing an order for fifty pounds of seed and another hundred gallons of fuel.

  “My father and I used to play almost every night. It was time we spent tucked away into the night,” Hope said as she gazed off remembering those special times. “He taught me so many things, but all I remember now is the playing.”

  “My mom and dad were wonderful, but they never spent time like that with me. They saw me as their doll I think,” Joy explained leaning her to the side and smiling a bit. “Don’t get me wrong. They were great parents, and I loved them very much, but I don’t have memories like that.”

  Hope stood up and grabbed another shirt she needed to mend. Carefully selecting the matching thread, she began her meticulous work.

  “So did you spend much time with family?” Hope asked wanting to know more about Joy.

  “Not really. We had family in Seattle, but I only saw them a couple times a year. Even then it was like we would just get to know each other before needing to leave again. My dad was one of those computer guys so he worked a lot and took calls most of the time. He worked hard for us so we didn’t see him much. My mom and I hung out the most, but with school and friends, a kid disconnects. I miss them so much,” Joy replied smiling as she remembered.

  “I lost my boy a couple months ago. He had been sick with the fevers, and it just never got better. Couldn’t even get him a doctor,” Hope said feeling her failure. “He died in my arms.”

  Joy’s face saddened as Hope started to weep. They stood in the mercantile holding each other like sisters while the sun slid toward the horizon.

  “Good work Gabe. You were right. We need to set the equipment up just like that,” the portly tanned man said. “You sure know your stuff. Follow me, I have something else I want you to look at. It’s been a pain in my ass for months.”

  As Gabe followed his boss away from the fields he noticed annoyance in the faces of the other men. Gabe was proving to be extremely valuable in the town of New Providence. He not only understood farming and was able to work the soil, but he also had a degree from Kansas State University in Mechanical Engineering. He was smart and an excellent problem solver with broad knowledge of many things.

  When Gabe began working at the municipal gardens, he was instantly welcomed by the men into the group. Over time, they began to resent his relationship with the city planners who ran the farms.

  “Hey Gabe, what did the foreman need with you today? We busted our ass in the sun all day. You never came back,” the bearded man scowled. “Feels like you’re not pullin’ ‘ur share to me.”

  Gabe quietly removed his boots, clearing the mud and soil from the bottoms. “He just wanted me to look at the chaser bin. The hydraulics were all messed up,” Gabe replied picking up on Samael’s anger.

  Samael was a strong, physical man with dark skin and hair. He has a thick bristly black beard that made him look Middle Eastern. Being the most senior member of the farming crew, he was a tough man who demanded hard work from the others of the team. He worked hard but played even harder. He was notorious for being a hard drinker but remained sensible always acting within the Law.

  “Just remember, we all have responsibilities, and you’ve let yours slip today. We all had to pick up the slack,” Samael said as he stripped off his clothes before stepping into the makeshift shower. “We all work together here.”

  Gabe walked back to the hotel after his long day at work feeling despondent. Trying to build a new life for himself and his wife, Gabe was struggling with his new responsibilities. As Gabe walked into the hotel room, he found Hope and Faith eating dinner.

  “Hey Hon, how was your day?” Faith asked as she devoured a full bite of fresh, buttery bread.

  “Hey Gabe,” Hope quickly said following Faith’s greeting.

  “It was work,” Gabe said as he sat down on the tiny hotel couch. “Today I helped fix the heavy equipment needed for the harvest.” Grabbing an end piece of the steamy bread Gabe added, “Some of the guys are getting frustrated with me not helping out on the fields. I just want to work so I can get enough to move us out of here. I saw a nice little apartment down by the plaza. It had a couple rooms and a nice full kitchen. This hotel is driving me nuts.”

  “Gabe, I’ve been saving everything I’m making. I would love to help out if you guys are OK with me hanging around,” Hope offered feeling embarrassed about not having anywhere else to go.

  “Hope, you’re with us. Don’t even worry about it. You’re like my little sister. It would be nice to pool our finances though,” Gabe replied as he grabbed another piece of bread smothered with almond butter.

  “How was your day Honey?” Gabe asked Faith as he put his hands on her shoulders and kissed her head.

  “It was OK. The curriculum they’re asking me to use is a bit odd though. All this stuff about New Providence and the Law. It feels a bit icky what I’m teaching these young ki
ds. I asked one of the other teachers about it, and she looked at me like I had just pissed on the Pope. She went into this long thing about how the Law made everything about New Providence possible. I think she may have said something to the head master because before leaving today, he came and asked how I was settling in and all that kind of stuff. Kind of creepy if you ask me,” Faith replied. “I do love the job though. The kids are great, and the other teachers are so friendly. By the way, did you guys know that two months ago they sent a family away when their kid stole fruit from one of the street carts? The whole family, kicked out. That seems kind of harsh.”

  Sitting down at the small round table, Gabe explained, “I heard from one of the guys at work that two years ago they stoned a woman to death because she was having an affair with the Chief of Police. He was hung, and then she was stoned on the very same day. They said it was the Law and that was that – end of that. Now that’s harsh.”

  “Yeah, I’ve noticed weird interactions between the men and women that come into the mercantile, but for the most part, that seems to be in the past now. I will tell you this though, they seem to be doing something right. Today the town just ordered another set of solar panels to power up the radio station. A radio station! Image having music again,” Hope said smiling and daring to dream.

  As days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, the three fell into a somewhat normal existence. They saved enough for a small apartment three blocks from the center of town and finally had a small kitchen to prepare their own meals. Of the three, Hope was adapting the best. She was becoming known for her sewing ability and could mend anything. Mr. Begich, the owner of the mercantile, was thrilled at the amount of business Hope was bringing to his store.

  “If it’s OK, I need to take tomorrow off,” Hope asked Mr. Begich. “Faith and I are going to go down to the lumber yard to buy what we need to build a table for our kitchen. If it’s a problem, I understand.”