22. April 13, 2023 #2
They stopped to watch one scientist plant cuttings into individual pots with soil from different bags in each one.
“We like to keep the product pure to the type of banana, but for some products, we will join genetic material or change it to the specific needs. This gentleman here is testing different soil concentrations on our bananas.”
Deschamps checked the sign on the window. “This room is for green fig bananas, which Mr. McCarthy ate with his saltfish at the luncheon.”
“That’s fine in clean rooms,” Demon remarked, “but what about out in the groves? How do you keep the bananas from cross-contaminating each other out there?”
The manager shook a finger at him with a knowing grin. He glanced at Cherry. “You have a smart one here, Esme.”
“I have basic biology knowledge from university,” Demon grumbled.
“But not everyone would think of the difference between environments. At their foundation, bananas are very similar across the board, so cross contamination is not a large concern. However, pest control and disease are far worse concerns, so we use some netting and roads between the varieties to limit these things.”
“I never realized how much work goes into growing bananas,” she genuinely mused.
“Never thought about it, to be honest. I just peel, bite, chew, and swallow.” All three of them chuckled.
“I guess it’s much the same with beef or other meats.
To me, it all comes from packages in the stores, not cows or chickens or whatever. Sobering thought. ”
“Yes, social consciousness and all of that,” Deschamps agreed. “It is why we try to be as responsible here with our methods as possible.”
Demon gave a chin lift to the elevator at the end of the hallway they were in. “What do you do upstairs?”
“Ah. That is where we do our work with the organic pesticides. We try to keep that on a separate floor so that we can flush out that air separately.”
“And the lower floors? I see there’s a basement as well.”
“Refuse, recycling, those sorts of things. Several of the stages of banana farming create waste. We separate the compost from the recyclables and waste as much as possible, then burn the waste. We have conveyors that take the compost to one set of trucks, which are then moved to the barns for distribution. The recyclable material is sorted, then distributed into containers to the proper trucks to move to facilities that turn that material into reusable resources such as cleaning bottles, shoe soles, even recycling containers themselves.”
“Very efficient.”
“All part of your uncle’s mission for sustainability.
Only if we cannot use it does it leave our grounds, and only then is it distributed to where it must go.
We have very little waste here that is completely unusable.
We even work with companies that use recyclable materials for shipping, containing, storing, and so forth. ”
From that point, they moved on through the remaining buildings—the greenhouse they used to plant the cuttings until they were large enough to be planted as trees in their rows; the irrigation mechanics ran miles underground to water the young trees because bananas require extremely moist conditions even during the rainy season.
The garage—an original stone and timber barn—where all the machinery and larger tools were kept for the fields at this end of the facility.
The building where all the plant food was stored, bagged, and distributed for the groves, and another building for the natural pesticides.
Buildings where the bananas were brought to be washed, processed, and packaged, and finally, the building where the product was packaged on a larger scale and sent to customers.
He also shared that there were additional harvesting and storage buildings further out for each individual grove.
She noticed that both inside and outside the buildings, Demon was scrutinizing things heavily behind his glasses.
Because they were reflective, neither the supervisor nor the boy could see his eye movements.
However, she could since she was next to him at all times, mostly because he kept an arm around her shoulders as if he was afraid letting go of her or letting her walk two feet away would cause her to be in danger.
He also never let his face show his reactions to what he observed, something she figured was a doctor's skill, cultivated particularly for when having to deliver unhappy news to patients and loved ones.
However, she noticed a tightening around his eyes, and there was a wince as if he was in pain when they stood in one place too long.
Throughout their entire tour, Deschamps did most of the talking.
Sometimes, he would defer to his grandson on a question asked, partially, she was sure, to test his knowledge and partially to get him used to speaking about the business to clients and potential customers.
Otherwise, the boy stayed silent, following close behind her.
Every time she glanced at him, his attention was on her, or when he answered a question, even if Demon asked it, he seemed to spend most of his time directing his answer to her.
While it was sweet that he seemed a bit mesmerized by her, it was also a little unnerving.
She supposed it was that way for most adults who found themselves the subject of interest, even adoration, of much younger people.
“This is quite the operation,” Demon commended, breaking into her thoughts. “No small amount of capital is involved to do things, let alone do them at this level of technology and sustainability. Those methods aren’t cheap, and your profit margins must be low still.”
“We get by.” The foreman winked. “But yes, the start-up was monumental, and the profit growth was slow. It took men of vision—like Zion and your father, Esme—to believe in what we hoped to achieve and help us get started. However, it has been more than a few years now since we have achieved a level of financial stability or, dare I say, success. We are now the largest and highest-earning sustainable banana farm in the world.”
He clapped his hands, a habit he had of doing when changing from one topic to another.
“I imagine you’ve had enough of my prattling on about our work here.
Perhaps you’d like to take a stroll? I imagine as newlyweds, you might like some time alone to discuss your plans for the future, your hopes, your dreams. A little romance among the trees. ”
Cherry looked up into Demon’s face, her smile matching his. “I think that sounds wonderful.”
“Excellent!” Deschamps gestured to his right.
“The path here will lead you on a short loop through our closest field. There are water stations along the way. Please partake. I’ve been told that Matthew awaits you at the main building at your pleasure.
I’ve heard he is sweet on one of the cooks, so I’m sure he’s in no rush.
” With a chuckle and a wink, he reached out a hand to Demon.
“So pleased to make your acquaintance, Mr. and Mrs. McCarthy. Your uncle has mentioned how happy he is to see you after all this time, and of course, we all hope you will visit again sometime soon. Come, Andres! We will leave the two lovebirds to their romantic stroll!”
With that, they both walked back to the main building. Cherry noticed, however, that Andres was slower to turn and follow his grandfather after a last glance and a shy nod at Cherry.
An arm wrapped around her shoulders, guiding her toward the path. “You have quite the admirer there, fireball.” He kissed the side of her head. “He has good taste.”
“He’s far too young for me,” she admonished, “but I bet he’ll break hearts if he goes to university. He has that look about him. Girls love the quiet ones. They’re almost as much of a challenge as the bad boys.”