4. The Farms

The plaza was bustling. Lena stopped by a map kiosk where she had SUN pull the location of 27B55. Left here, now right. 200 feet ahead. You’ve arrived at farm 27B55. Sometimes Lena found SUN annoying. Some of these features suck, she thought. They never get the directions thing right. She shut the device up and looked around.

The farms were modest pods, built for individuals. This level of the complex was home toa radial spread of greenhouses, modular in design. Nestled within a banana tree cupola, Lena might have forgotten the glass and steel structure in which she and the farms were enclosed, but the industrial sunlamps that stretched out of sight ensured the facts surrounding her. She leaned up against the door and peered through a transparent pane. No sign of Gabe.

Boo! She was obviously a little jumpy. The whole Kelli incident was still with her, and being sneaked up on was not helping. She tried to gather herself together.

You asshole. I hate when you do that.

He couldnt help laughing at himself.

What the fuck did you drag me out here for? I hate the farms. She did. She really did. This whole place reeks.

Hey, no need to be rude.

Sorry. She remembered her last rant about the farms. How she voted down the referendum to grant subsidies for urban farmers. She thought it was a waste of taxpayer money and almost brought Gabe to tears in four words. Nanorganic farming my ass. Not knowing how touchy the subject was, she promised herself never to bring it up in front of him again, but she was never good at promises. I mean, can we just go inside?

He face was stuck as his brain weighed the variables of the situation. I don’t think it’s a good idea, he said, his eyes serious.

Why not? She couldn’t take this much longer. It wasn’t turning into a good day. All she wanted was to go home and take a bath. Forget Kelli, forget the farms, forget Gabe. Her head was starting to ache. Don’t erupt, Lena, quietly to herself. Not now, just hold it in, just breathe. I’ve got to sit down somewhere, she said. Are you aware how far this is from my work? It was a rhetorical question, and he knew it.

We can go to Win’s.

Windham’s was the spinning restaurant at the top of the complex. They claimed the freshest food in the whole city. Farmers had, well, farmers whose crops were atleast 70% food were given a discount. Gabe grew a hundred percent food, only fruits and vegetables. He didn’t have a permit for livestock, and probably never would, him being vegan and all.

He chose a table with high leather stretched stools.

Can’t we sit at a booth? Something with a back. Please.

Fine. He motioned to the waitress and explained the situation, apologetically. He might as well plead forgiveness, Lena thought as she stared at him in utter disdain. Why had she agreed to come here? The last time she saw Gabe, she left without saying goodbye. Actually, he’d asked her to leave, and she just packed up her things, stood, and walked out. Michael called later to tell her Gabe was sorry for accusing her of cheating.

MIchael, It’s scrabble. How am I supposed to cheat at scrabble.

I don’t know. Gabe’s got an imagination. Sometimes he just…

How you two live together, I will never understand.

Look, lena. Gabe is sorry. Just accept it and let’s move on. He regrets the whole thing.

Why did you agree to do this for him? You know, she said smoothly, he’s just using you. Can’t he stand up and talk to me himself?

Lena, he thinks you hate him. Michael examined his reflection in the bathroom mirror. He picked some food from his bottom teeth. Sometimes I think he’s right.

He’s not right there with you, is he?

No, he went to the greenhouse.

Gabe and his greenhouse. She sighed.

Fucking greenhouse! Gabe, why did you ask me to come out here, all the way to the farms? I have things that I need to do. How important is this? Lena was looking over the specials. The booth had windows onto a patio which overlooked the city. I have to be back soon. She did. She had said an hour, but was hungry from the trip over. Maybe a sandwich would do her some good.

Michael’s in trouble, Gabe said.

Lena looked up at him from the behind the menu, startled.