The New Era (A Sequel to Untangled Roots)

by ICanStopAnytime

As Carol and Daryl settle further into their life as parents, letters fly from hand to hand throughout the Alliance of Alexandria, Hilltop, Oceanside, and Jamestown. This epistolary novella is an epilogue to "Untangled Roots" and will be interspersed with scenes of Dixon family life.

52. Chapter 52: 14 NE (Gary's Comp)

I'm flying ahead in the timeline here and next chapter.

[*]

Date: October 1, 14 NE
Name: Gary Barron
School: Upper School
Teacher: Ms. Sherry
Age: 9
Draft: 1st

Composition Instructions: When you turn thirteen, you will either be admitted to the University of Alexandria for further academic study or be assigned an apprenticeship somewhere in the Alliance. It's important to start thinking about your goals early. Write at least five paragraphs answering the question, "What job to you wish to have when you grow up, and who is your role model for this vocation?" Your role model should be a currently living person who is employed in the vocation you wish to pursue.

I want to be a race car driver when I grow up. My model is DALE EARNDHART. But he's dead so I can't pick him. So I pick my Uncle Daryl.

Uncle D used to drag race when he was 16. Well, two or three times he did. But he got caught once because the Old World had dumbass rules. But he didn't have to go to jail for it. He just had to pay a dumbass fine. He didn't pay it. He and his brother skipped town.

Mostly Uncle D rode motorcycles. Still does. He says we're going to build one for me when he has all the parts. It's not going to run on corn like his. It's going to run on batries. So it won't be as cool or loud. But it will be FAST.

Uncle D hunts. But I don't want to be a hunter. Hunting is boring. He took me twice and you have to be real quiet. And sometimes you just have to sit there and wait. And you have to listen. Really listen. Uncle D says I'm not zen enuff to be a hunter.

Sweetheart's not zen enuff either. But she's only 6.

Herhsel's zen enuff. So he's coming down from Hilltop to train with Uncle D next year. That's cool because we're friends kind of and Hersh is going to live in Jamestown for 6 months.

VanDaryl's zen enuff but he's "too senstive." I don't know what senstive means. That's what the grown-ups call him. The kids just call him chicken shit. I always have to beat up kids who make fun of him. He's my little brother so I have to. But it's getting old.

Teacher's Notes:

D+. Your spelling and grammar is MUCH improved since the last composition, Gary. Good job with that! But Gary, once again, you didn't follow directions. You chose a profession that doesn't exist in this world. There are no apprenticeships for race car drivers. Please avoid words like "chicken shit" and "dumbass" in formal compositions. You need to entirely rewrite this composition for your second draft and choose a profession that exists. Maybe you'd like to be a mechanic, since you're building a motorcycle with your uncle? The mechanics work on repairing and maintaining our horse carts, the bicycles, our two emergency electric scooters, and the solar-powered water taxis. Or perhaps, if you like adventure, you'd like to be a scavenger? Scavengers race horses, not cars, but you'll get to outrun cannibals and maybe you can take your motorcycle.