Waiting for Sparks

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AFTER LETTING TROUBLE OUT, filling the Omni with gas and grabbing a yogurt at the house, Emma headed for the Organic District before driving to the hospital.

Emma had no doubt that her grandmother would take the bait, once she dangled Beryl’s potential involvement in the Jamboree in front of her. The chasm between Nomi and her neighbor had erupted long before Emma had had memories, and nothing could induce her grandmother to let Beryl replace her.

A special loaf of bread would, however, hopefully reward the hospital staff for taking care of her difficult relative. They would need a treat, for her grandmother was, so far, still refusing to go to Garden Terrace.

A few miles out of town, a large carved sign heralded what was referred to as the OD. Organic farmers, ranchers, artisans and crafters rented small wooden stalls and sold their wares to residents and tourists passing on the county road. Organic gardens stretched behind the buildings.