In the years after the Final War, the Council of Women decide to secede from men. They create a world of their own away from men, where they can raise their children without fear. Once a year men may visit briefly to procreate. Boys are sent to the Land of Men when they reach puberty. At eleven, Bergman was sent across the sea and placed with his fathers, Spencer and Harris. Years later, he meets Hastings at the Beach Festival, an annual event for young men. It’s love at first sight for Bergman. But the course of true love never runs smoothly. In time Hastings desires a son, a subject Bergman paid little thought to. Yet their son Taylor brings great joy to their lives. Life is further complicated when Hastings is chosen to travel to the Land of Women to father children. He wants to accept, but Bergman can’t understand why he would consider going. Isn’t he happy with what he already has? If he goes, what will that do to their relationship? To their future? Is this a betrayal, or is it something else?

In the Land of Men

The older Taylor got, the more he was able to help us on the property, learning all the skills he’d need to take care of himself when the time came for him to leave home. And even though I didn’t want to think about that day, I knew we had to prepare for it. Work for it. We wanted to give him the same start in life we’d had.


We’d acquired a second cow, which would one day be Taylor’s, and also some chickens. Spencer and Harris had never had chickens, but one day there was a stall with several wooden crates of three-week old chicks. I willingly went without a new frying pan and bought only half the candles I meant to buy, just so I could buy five of the chickens.


Getting them home was a trial. They were given to me in a mesh bag. They were quiet all the way home, but once I set the bag down one of them managed to find its way out and was off and racing. I dropped the rest of the supplies and chased after the chick. Meanwhile, two of the others found their way out.


Chapter 13