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- 02/12/2021
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Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you.
Rome - 29. Chapter 29
When the first row of new rooms was finished, the wheat was ready for harvesting. We worked from early morning to the evening meal. The small mill was busy grinding wheat, Felix estimated how much wheat we would need until the next harvest. This was what was being ground. The rest we would sell as wheat kernels to our baker. He would grind it as he needed it. We laughed as we pulled the carts in front of his shop.
He was waiting for us, “How did you know we were coming?”
"The gods told me.”
One of the boys unloading the wheat said he had a man watching for us. “I guess he likes our wheat.”
The men I had with me laughed. Wheat unloaded, money in our pockets, we left to visit Grandfather. I had some ground wheat for him.
Deacon met us at the gate. He took the wheat to the kitchen. Grandfather was smiling when he saw us.
“It is nice to see you, Grandfather.”
“I was expecting you. When I visited you, I notice the wheat would be ready soon.”
“Yes, I just delivered some to my baker friend, and Deacon took some ground wheat to your kitchen.”
As usual, we had to have something to eat and drink. “Are you going to visit your brother?”
“Yes, I have some ground wheat for him. Then we are going back. The oats will be ready soon. When can we expect to see you again at the Villa.”
“When you come with your oats, I’ll go back with you.”
I was happy with that, and I’ll make sure he stays a long time.
Saying goodbye, we left for Duccius’s home. At the gate of Grandfathers, Deacon was waiting. “Your grandfather is not doing well. The physician doesn’t know what the problems are, but I think he misses the family. He always feels better after seeing you.”
“Deacon, if you can, he should move to the Villa. It’s his as much as it’s mine. We have some new help; he could tell his stories again.”
“I’m not sure he will agree to that.”
“When you pack, add a few more things”
“The men can come back and bring anything he needs.”
He smiled; I felt that being in the Villa was better for him. I knew the men liked him and would see that he was comfortable and maybe even get him involved in the Villa.
Approaching Duccius’s house, I heard a loud yell, there was Junius, running toward the cart. One of the men grabbed him and put him in the cart. He was laughing, and he just turned two. He asked Nour, who drove the cart, if he had a rabbit for him. Nour told him no, next time he will have a rabbit for him. As I walked toward the house, I remember how often I did that when my parents lived here. I always entered the house through the kitchen, I loved the smells, and best of all, there always was some sweet for me. I guess I was lost in my memories when two huge arms grabbed me in an embrace.
“Hello, where were you?”
“Hello Duccius, I was thinking about the times I came here when Mother and Father lived here.”
“So what brings you to Rome?” I noticed he is starting to talk like a Senator.
“We harvested the wheat, and I brought it to sell to my baker. I have some for your kitchen as well.”
“Come and have a glass of wine with me.”
Over a glass of wine, “I received a letter from Mother. Father isn’t doing well. I was thinking of taking a trip to Grandfather’s Villa. Do you want to go?” “
Yes, but after we harvest the oats.”
“We can discuss it when you bring your oats to your baker.”
“Yes, he buys the complete harvest except what I keep for Grandfather, you, and myself.”
“I do admit for some reason, your wheat and oats taste better than what you can buy from the vendors.”
“I have expanded the Villa, so you need to come and visit. Maybe, you can visit, and we can leave from there for Grandfather’s Villa. I’ll show you how Neptune will give us salt.”
I had one more stop to make. I had some flour for the priest and priestess at the Temple. I wanted to offer a prayer and sacrifice to Apollo for the excellent wheat harvest. I think all of the men who come with me to the city know I go to the Temple. Paxton went ahead and bought a pig for the sacrifice. Having done my duty to Apollo, thanking him for the harvest, we left to go home. Not before Seth saw a young beggar just inside the gate. We stopped, he talked with the boy. He looked at me, I smiled. The next thing I know, Seth had him on his horse. I just smiled. Only a slave would be sensitive to hunger, loneliness, and pain. Begging wasn’t easy. You were looked down on. You were robbed and sometimes beaten. Arriving home in the morning, the men and boys had just finished breakfast. Felix knew we would ride all night, so he was prepared. As soon one of the boys saw us enter the gate, they ran and told Felix. When we arrived, he had hot food ready for us. Seth took the boy to the Baths. Then when he was clean, he brought him to the courtyard for breakfast. As the boy ate, he had tears in his eyes.
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Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you.
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