Babylon, Volume 1

In the stark, unvarnished landscape of Geauga County, the Winthrop farm sits like a solitary frame against endless, leafless fields. The unpainted house and bare yard echo a world where beauty has been replaced by hard work, long roads, and the occasional snake‑fence that slices the horizon. Within this austere setting, Deacon Zephaniah and his wife keep a weary vigil over their land, their lives marked by the rhythm of chores and the occasional burst of rustic humor.

Their son Hiram, however, finds his own slice of freedom in the tangled blackberry lot beside the clear‑water Muddy Creek. It is there, among wild brush and blooming morning‑glories, that the boy slips away from his parents’ expectations, chasing a simple joy that hints at a larger restlessness. As the summer heat settles over the farm, Hiram’s wandering promises small adventures that will test his bond with family and the quiet conviction of the countryside.