“We’re too good,” Mo said. “We think stuff up and we do it and then what do we do?”
“The new kitchen is all set and running, we don’t need anymore housing at the moment, and I think we’ve maintained everything we could possibly maintain,” Sowbug said. “We’ve got to find some new projects.”
“Something that will keep us busy for a while,” said Earthworm.
“I wouldn’t worry too much about it,” Sorrel said. “We’re living in a place full of people. People are hard on places. We should relax while we’ve got the chance. I’m sure we’ll be needed for something soon.”
“I’m with Sorrel,” Lois said. “Something will come up sooner rather than later. We’ve been working nonstop for weeks. We should take advantage of the break while we have it.”
“Okay,” said Dandelion. “I’m with that. I’m going to rest while I can because…”
“So there you all are,” said Dan, coming through the door. “I’ve been looking for you.”
“Oh-oh,” said Sorrel.
“There’s some folks from the county water department saying that they want to redo the lines.” Dan didn’t look happy. “They’re telling us we’re going to be without water for a week while they fix stuff.”
“When are they starting?” asked Earthworm.
“Tomorrow morning,” Dan said.
The construction crew looked at each other.
“Okay,” Sowbug said. “We’ll be back to you with a proposal by tonight.”
*
The commune meeting was that night. Winter was directing things, wearing a lovely lavender frock and amethyst slippers.
“So,” he said. “Do you have a proposal for what we will do without water?”
“Okay,” said Dandelion. “We’ve talked with Peter who isn’t on the same water line as us and he’s agreed to let us run a couple of hoses from his place to ours so that we can get fresh water from him.”
“We had also installed a couple of rainwater barrels a few months ago that have been collecting water which we can use for washing and bathing,” Mo added. “We’ve also been using greywater for the crops so that we can make every drop count.”
“Are we going to need to repay Peter for his water?” Luna asked.
“He said that we could pay him ‘in kind’,” Dandelion said.
“I know what that means,” said Nancy. “He’s going to wants as much baked goods as we’re willing to send him.”
“How are we going to heat the water?” Marge asked.
“We’ve created solar showers to go with the rainwater,” said Sowbug. “It does mean that you’ll need to shower outdoors but fortunately the weather isn’t supposed to be too cool this week. For everything else, we’ll need to heat the water on the stoves, I guess. We’ll work on fixing something up.”
“I hope that you’re also planning on working on the floor in the produce stand,” Paul G said.
“Why?” asked Earthworm. “What’s wrong with it?”
“It’s starting to give way in several places,” Cat said. “I think the wood may be rotting.”
“Yeah,” said Darren. “That’s happening at the pastry stand as well. I think you’re going to need to deal with it soon.”
“That reminds me,” Zelda said. “The thermostat on one of the new ovens broke. Do you think one of you can fix it?”
“You know,” said Sowbug, “I’m sorry I said we were going to need something more to do.”
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