The Weight of Delay
Ironically, while their neighbors had concluded their ginseng quests before summer’s arrival, the McAllens faced a different fate. In the midst of an economic downturn that even tarnished their lucrative real estate endeavors, James had to postpone his harvest. It marked three consecutive years dominated by crises. The family construction company suffered first, blindsided when competitors abandoned projects due to the pandemic.
Overzealous in their endeavors, the McAllens eagerly picked up these abandoned tasks, their financial fortress crumbling. What was initially perceived as a crisis for others became their own struggle, affecting their prosperity.
As James ventured into the park, navigating not only the dense underbrush but also the looming threats of tourists and vigilant rangers, he carried not just the hopes of his family, but the weight of years of secrecy, ingenuity, and adversity.