Day 567

Barometer's 978 and rising. Air's thick, not moving. You want the packets back inside before noon?

Light a cigarette, cupping the match against the damp breeze, and watch the smoke drift sideways instead of up.

Take your time. I'll be at the spring if you need me.

Stand, brush weed seeds off my trousers, and walk toward the spring with the water test kit in hand, not looking back until the cottage blocks the view.

(nothing — already walking)

Follow the worn path down to the spring, test kit in hand, boots quiet on the damp grass.

Kevin — crouch at the spring pool, dip a test strip, count the seconds by heartbeat, then cap the vial and read the color against the grey sky.

Porch is too wet. Only dry place left is the cottage loft — if we clear the rafters and run a line for the dehumidifier off the genny.

walk toward the cottage, wiping hands on trousers

I'll take the tin up. You get the dehumidifier running downstairs — drier air'll drift up through the hatch.

turn toward the porch to fetch the seed tin from under the tarp

Lid's sealed. Tarp's wrapped. I'll carry it level.

lift the rusted tin carefully, keeping it perfectly horizontal, and carry it toward the cottage door

I'll start it. You take the tin inside, set it on the loft hatch cover — I'll haul it up when the dehumidifier's running.

set the tin down on the cottage porch floor, then walk toward the generator shed

Kevin — pull the generator's starter cord, engine catches on the second pull, let it warm up

Wait. Let me get the crowbar and rope first.

Walk to the workshop corner, grab the crowbar and coil of half-inch rope, then follow her down to the dock.

You hold the line. I'll get the crate.

Tie one end of the rope to the dock cleat, coil the rest, pick up the crowbar, and climb down the ladder to the exposed rocks where the crate sits.

Got it.

Work down the rocks to the crate, testing each step before committing weight. Circle it once to see how it's wedged, then get the crowbar under the nearest corner.

Ready. Heave on three. One — two — three.

Drive the crowbar deep under the corner, lock my arms, and drive upward with my legs to break the suction, then drag the crate toward the ladder.

Coming. Watch the corner — sharp barnacles.

Keep dragging the crate up the rock shelf toward the ladder, crowbar hooked under the lip for control, feet planted wide on the slick stone.

Stand back. Let me.

Set the crowbar aside, grip the lid with both hands at the corners, and heave upward steady — using legs, not back — to break the seal without splintering the rotten wood.

Not snapping anything.

Ease the pressure, work the blade of the crowbar under the lifted edge a few inches at a time, prying gently along the seam to free the lid without torqueing the box.

Almost.

Finish lifting the lid clear and set it aside on the table, then lean in to see what's inside, keeping my voice low.

Kevin — hold the lid back with one hand, the other resting on the table edge, waiting.