Half Dead World: Book One from the Apocalypse Tales by Adrienne Hargrove (little readers txt) 📗

the fact that Jackson is holding my hand. In a few brief moments, the prayer is over, and Jackson gives my hand a little squeeze before letting go. I look over at him, but he is already digging into his dinner, so I turn to my plate and start on what I know will be a delicious meal. Everything from the Garden Café is outstanding.

The meal is quiet for a couple minutes, then, Jackson breaks the silence. “Haven had a run in with Mr. Daxter today.”

I choke on the bite of lasagna I just put in my mouth. After I clear my throat and mouth of food, I kick Jackson under the table and scowl at him furiously.

“Don’t worry they know exactly how nasty Mr. Daxter can be. They fought strongly against the religious acts.”

“Still, it was embarrassing enough that it happened in class I don’t need to relive it at dinner.”

“It’s, okay Haven.” Mr. Armstrong says with a wink to Jackson. “Wyatt Daxter is a little snake of a man.”

“Thomas, that’s not very nice.” Mrs. Armstrong’s gentle chiding voice barely reaches the other side of the table.

“Sorry, sweets, I call ‘em like I see ‘em.” Thomas leans over and kisses Ava on the cheek. She gives him a small smile then looks to me. “Either way Haven, you need to be careful around Mr. Daxter.”

“Yeah, I’m not sure what his problem is but he does not like me at all.”

Mr. Armstrong gives me a sympathizing look. “It’s probably your parents he has a problem with, harassing you is the only thing he can do to get back at them.”

“Why would he have a problem with my parents?”

Everyone at the table exchanges a knowing look that makes me feel certain I am missing some really, important information. Silence stretches on for just a heartbeat too long, and Mrs. Armstrong clears her throat. “Well, Haven, it’s not really our place to tell you things if your parents have decided to shield you for the time being. But I’m sure they will tell you when the time is right.” We all go back to eating and Jackson’s parents start talking about Agrisin and the upcoming agricultural legislation. Jackson leans in and whispers “I’ll tell you what I can after dinner.” I give a tiny nod and try to focus back on the dinner conversation. It’s obvious the Armstrong, family are not Agrisin fans, and are very opposed to the new agriculture legislation, that is, in all likelihood, going to get passed. It will allow Agrisin to use the government’s exper-imental farms to cultivate mass quantities of their super seeds, or as Mr. Armstrong calls them “seeds of death."

“But wouldn’t it be amazing if it all worked out, and those seeds could produce enough food to feed the whole world? It’s hard to watch those starving children in the Agrisin commercial and not hope they can accomplish what they have set out to do.”

Another silence, only this one is infinitely more painful and then Wilder unloads on me in a full out rant. “You gotta be kidding me! Do you really believe that propaganda? It’s total garbage! Agrisin, doesn’t give a crap about starving children!”

I hear Mrs. Armstrong say Wilder’s name in a tone that implies a definite warning. I am assuming it is because of his language, or maybe his volume. But he just keeps going as if he didn’t hear her.

“The only thing Agrisin, cares about is a global agricultural monopoly. They don’t care about the environment and they sure don’t care about starving children!”

I stare at Wilder open mouthed and stupefied. I look around the table and see Jackson with his forehead in his hand and his parents looking chagrined. “Wow… those are some very strong political opinions and big words for a kid. What are you…like ten?” Wilder rolls his eyes, and looks at me, as if to say, you’re an even bigger dummy than I thought.

“I’m eleven.”

“Sorry” I mutter then glance at his family, with a silent plea for help. Mr. Armstrong gives me, then Wilder a thoughtful look. “Well, Haven, before Wilder’s outburst how would you say, you felt about Agrisin, and the pending legislation involving the super seeds?”

I blink twice, still in shock then, look back and forth between Wilder and Mr. Armstrong

“I…didn’t really have any strong feelings about it. I mean, I have seen the Agrisin commercials, and I have seen clips of angry protesters on the news feed. But honestly, it seems like there is always some new technology, and always protests over it. I don’t really see the point in getting all worked up about it.”

“And how do you feel about it now?”

I think about his question seriously for a moment.

“Truthfully, I find it hard to believe that Agrisin is that evil, or that government would be in cahoots with them if they were. While Wilder is certainly…passionate about his beliefs nothing he said was logical or fact based. I think if Agrisin, can prove the safety of its super seeds to the government then they should have a chance to try and feed the world.”

Mr. Armstrong gives me a nod then looks at Wilder. “That Wilder is a very valuable lesson for you. Going off on a mad rant did not win Haven over to your way of thinking. In fact, it pushed her closer to the other side. If you had calmly and rationally stated why you oppose the super seeds, you might at least have given her something to think about. And if, instead of being condescending and rude, you had been even slightly charming, you might have won her over completely.”

Wilder gives a snort of derision. “It’s Jackson’s job to charm her not mine.”

I look to Jackson and his head is tilted to the ceiling like he is in prayer, and hey maybe