25. Frankie

Alright, I think thats everything. I step back from the stove and survey the kitchen. The meal prep for the day is complete. Breakfast is done, lunch just needs to be served, and the food for dinner is all ready to be cooked later this evening.

Thank you. The head cook wipes her brow as she looks over the work Ive done. I dont know what wed do without you.

Its no problem. Honestly, Im impressed by how well shes managed to keep the pack fed despite having no formal training in the kitchen. All Ive done is make a few suggestions to help speed things up so shes not stuck in the kitchen from dawn to midnight every day.

Go get some rest. I nod toward the door. Ill finish cleaning up.

Thank you. She pats my cheek with a grateful smile. Ill see you this evening.

I nod as she leaves, then turn to the sink to wash my hands.

Hey. Kyle enters the kitchen and gives me a quick kiss. Hows it going?

Good. Im just finishing up. I put a few glass containers of leftovers into the refrigerator and make sure everythings properly labeled one last time.

Kyle holds the door, helping me. Good, because I want to talk to you about something.

Whats up?

Its been a few days since River announced that hes opening breeding rights to the whole pack. Kyle leans against the counter and folds his arms. And its gotten everyone talking pretty animatedly about the future. Theres a lot of uncertainty about how were gonna be able to feed and house everyone if the pack suddenly doubles or triples in size.

Yeah. Ive heard people talking about it too. River is encouraging people to find work in town and to bring in more outside resources. I can understand why people are nervous.

Kyle nods slowly. Ive been thinking...and I wanted to discuss it with you before talking to River because I dont know how this would work. I mean, I dont know a lot about this kind of stuff.

I reach out and take his hand. Whats on your mind, Ky?

Well, weve got a lot of land here. How much would we need to use if we wanted to feed everyone?

I furrow my brow, not sure I’m following. Like a garden? Weve already got one of those.

Yeah, but its small. And I overheard you and the cook talking about how it really doesnt put much of a dent in our needs.

Yeah, that’s true. So what are you thinking? A bigger garden?

Yeah. Bigger, more variety. But also, like, raising animals too. Rabbits, chickens, goats maybe? He looks at me with a deep furrow in his brow and a twist to his mouth. I just dont know how any of this works.

Most of the land owned by the pack is forested. I continue cleaning around the kitchen as I talk it out. Wed have to clear quite a bit of space to put in a garden the size youre talking about, plus make room for animals.

How much land?

I dont know. I’d need to do some research to make an educated guess. Im not really a farmer. I guess I can look into it, and we could put together a plan of some sort. Maybe if I get the cook involved, she can help. Shes got a bit of a green thumb. I look down at the rag in my hands as I try to put my thoughts in order.

I want to have a solid plan before we bring this idea to River, Kyle says. Hes got so much to do without having to figure this stuff out too. But if we bring him a complete plan, with all the details, then all he has to do is agree to it.

Yeah, that makes sense.

I look up at Kyle and tilt my head slightly when I see his face. Hes changed a lot since we came here. He used to be reserved, even terse, most of the time...actually, that hasnt changed. But now, instead of being the defacto leader of our group, hes been relegated to a supporting role. In all the time Ive known him, most of my life at this point, Ive never seen him look as uncertain as he has these last few weeks.

Are you okay? I pull him closer, wrapping my arms around him.

Yeah, Im fine. I just feel like I should be doing more. I mean, Ive been helping out with some of the construction projects around the compound, but I dont know if that’s enough.

I know what you mean, I say after a moment. Ive been feeling the same way.

You have? He looks at me with surprise.

Yeah. I mean, Ive been working in the kitchen, but its not enough either. Its not really what I want to do with my life.

What do you want to do?

I dont know. It was different before. You and Devon relied on me to take care of you. To make sure you ate, to care for you, to earn money whenever we stopped long enough that I could pick up work. But now, if I werent here, the pack would still be fine. Everyone would still get fed, thered still be someone to earn the money the pack needs to survive. Im not actually needed.

Kyle is silent for a long moment. Then I guess were in the same boat. And you know why I wanna do this. He gestures vaguely around the kitchen. I want to help. I want to contribute. I want to make sure this pack is safe and secure for the future.

Yeah, weve got a lot of work ahead of us. I lean in and give him another kiss. And a ton of research to do. Well need to figure out how to get started with farming, I guess. There must be books in the library we can check out. And I’m pretty sure there are a few pack members who know stuff about farming. We can ask them for advice.

Kyle seems relieved and his shoulders relax. Im glad youre on board. I was worried youd think it was a stupid idea.

Not at all. I think its a great idea. Its exactly what we need to do to make ourselves useful. The pack needs this kind of thing, and we need to be a part of it.

Good. Kyle grins at me. Then lets get started.