The Beekeeper

CHAPTER 7Be Vulnerable

Today was going to be a test. It was Monday. Essentially Proximal emails would be flowing in and group text notifications, while turned off, often cannot go ignored. My 5:00 a.m. feathered friend woke me up, but admittedly, I was tossing and turning all night long.

I kept questioning if I was creating an environment at Essentially Proximal that allowed for people to be nourished. Was the Essentially Proximal hive a source of nourishment for people, to build on Henry's analogy? I did not know, and, as queen bee, I was becoming worried.

I was looking forward to sitting down with Henry this morning. I became curious about his wife and wanted to ask him about Catherine.

As planned, I arrived at the hive where I first met Henry. He was not visible when I arrived, but I was about 10 minutes earlier than the previous day. It must have been my fast pace in anticipation to learn more from Henry. My mind was racing and apparently my legs were, too.

“What's on the agenda today with the kids?” a voice asked from down the path.

It was Henry.

“Oh, we get to shear some sheep today,” I said.

“Well, isn't that something,” Henry said. “The girls are going to love that. Come with me. I want to show you something.”

Beyond the bee sanctuary, there was an open pasture with several grazing sheep. In the distance, through the soft glow of the rising sun, large white boxes were ...