The Wrong Way Home: Chapters 1–2

I watch them go, pressing a hand to my chest in sympathy. That cough must hurt. I say a silent prayer that the herbal teas and salves Dr. Ben has her on will start working their magic soon.

Meadowlark reminds me of a cloud. Maybe it’s her fine, wispy white-blond hair or her pale, almost translucent skin.

Meadowlark reminds me of a cloud. Maybe it’s her fine, wispy white-blond hair or her pale, almost translucent skin.

She smothers a smile. Then she clears her throat and closes her eyes, composing herself.

When she opens her eyes, she bulges them out and curls her lips, so it looks like she’s toothless.
I stifle a laugh.

Both Meadowlark and I stop laughing. I grab my needles and start unraveling my last row, the one with the dropped stitch.

Dr. Ben is the leader of our community. If something is broken, he fixes it. If there’s a threat to our family, he stands up to it. He’s the person who finds compromises and solutions. Everything we have—everything the Ranch provides us—is because of him.

Even the animals seem to respect him the same way the rest of us do. Somehow they just know.
And as long as you live up to his ideals, life is beautiful. It all makes sense.

I’m glad Meadowlark didn’t get in trouble, but I also know my work is much stronger than hers. I can do vertical mosaic patterns. I can make all kinds of things, whereas she hasn’t graduated from hats yet. So why did he point out my shortcomings and ignore hers?

I’m glad Meadowlark didn’t get in trouble, but I also know my work is much stronger than hers. I can do vertical mosaic patterns. I can make all kinds of things, whereas she hasn’t graduated from hats yet. So why did he point out my shortcomings and ignore hers?

The rumor I’ve heard is that the Ranch was an abandoned convent before Dr. Ben bought it. That makes sense to me, because there’s something special about it. Something holy. But there are also always repairs that need to be made.

We get to his office. I’ve only been inside once before, when Mom and I first arrived years ago, so I try to take in as many details as I can. It isn’t big or fancy. Like Dr. Ben himself, it’s humble.

He leans back in his chair. “I was the same as you, you know. At your age, I could’ve been an ‘Ivy,’ too.”
“Really?” It’s hard to imagine him as anything but what he is now. Thoughtful. A leader. No—a visionary. Someone who sees the truth of the future. The idea that I could ever be someone like him feels impossible.

“Don’t worry. It’s nothing bad. Or at least I hope not. I wanted to talk to you about your rite.”
I lean back in surprise. He’s talking about my rite of passage, something all kids living on the Ranch go through. It’s an honor, really. After your rite, you’re considered an adult, and you’re entrusted with a lot more responsibility. Most of the time it happens around the spring equinox of the year you turn fifteen.

After your rite, you’re considered an adult, and you’re entrusted with a lot more responsibility. Most of the time it happens around the spring equinox of the year you turn fifteen.

“You have so much potential, Fern. Do you know that? It’s deep inside, but it’s there. You walk through the world so small, shoulders rounded, eyes down. That’s why I was hard on you before. With your sweater. Because you’re like me. I can see it. Inside you’re strong. Destined for greatness. You have a quiet strength, a quiet power. We just need to break the shell. And while, yes, it’s early, I think you’re ready for it.”

“You have so much potential, Fern. Do you know that? It’s deep inside, but it’s there. You walk through the world so small, shoulders rounded, eyes down. That’s why I was hard on you before. With your sweater. Because you’re like me. I can see it. Inside you’re strong. Destined for greatness. You have a quiet strength, a quiet power. We just need to break the shell. And while, yes, it’s early, I think you’re ready for it.”

“But you need to understand something. I am responsible for crafting the next generation. A generation who will understand how to live in harmony with the land. How to be ready to survive the fallout of war, of climate change, of disaster. I do not take this responsibility lightly. Because it’s coming, sooner than society thinks. And to survive, you need to be tough. You need to go through the gauntlet of hardship and come out the other side stronger.”

“But you need to understand something. I am responsible for crafting the next generation. A generation who will understand how to live in harmony with the land. How to be ready to survive the fallout of war, of climate change, of disaster. I do not take this responsibility lightly. Because it’s coming, sooner than society thinks. And to survive, you need to be tough. You need to go through the gauntlet of hardship and come out the other side stronger.”

“But you need to understand something. I am responsible for crafting the next generation. A generation who will understand how to live in harmony with the land. How to be ready to survive the fallout of war, of climate change, of disaster. I do not take this responsibility lightly. Because it’s coming, sooner than society thinks. And to survive, you need to be tough. You need to go through the gauntlet of hardship and come out the other side stronger.”