Deep in the Grove: A story from the heart of Abiaka County

Abiaka County, Florida is off the beaten path. This is not a destination tourists plan to visit on vacation. As far from the ocean as anyplace on the peninsula can be, Abiaka County is a place of dark swamps full of life and death. Fragrant citrus groves of deep green leaves and plump, juice laden fruit cover a considerable percentage of the land here. For some it is a wonderful, peaceful place to call home. For others, it may represent the end of the line. Even in the dawning days of the 21st Century Abiaka retains much of the old world charm the deep south was famous for, and much of the danger, too. It's a place where long time residents hold each other in deep affection, family trumps all else, and justice isn't reserved for official action in a wood paneled room at the local courthouse.