by Hayden James
“Let’s see if we could buy something for Addy and my eighteenth birthday,” said Madison as her and Addy got out of the back of the van. She made certain that Gary and Vince were aware that they were turning eighteen in a few short days.
“Sounds like a great idea!” Gary said, a smile came across his face. Maddy caught his grin as butterflies formed in her stomach.
The four went inside the Jones’ General Store in the middle of the Main Street in downtown Tucker Hollow. Walking in, the store owner lined the shelves with shot glasses, figurines, and toys. All the food had been picked over and probably had been for days. Apparently, the owner could stock the shelves with non-food supplies such as lumber, paper, and charcoal. In addition, there were a few bottles of lighter fluid, and plates and dishes.
They took a few moments to stroll around the isles of items. Maddy looked at the various shot glasses with Tucker Hollow printed on them. Then she wondered if Dwight needed any mason jars for his moonshine. Probably not, Dwight seemed to have everything.
Gary found Madison in the isle with the shot glasses and the dishes, both reusable and paper. “See anything you want to celebrate your birthdays with?” Gary asked Maddy.
“I was thinking we could use those unicorn plates and cups to make our birthday dinner more special,” answered Maddy.
“Vince and I will get them for you two,” replied Gary, picking up the packages of unicorn papers plates and plastic cups. “Vince brought some cash with him,” said Gary as he went to go find Vince on his way, picking up a few bags of candy.
Maddy found Addison and joined Gary and Vince at the cash register. “Good day,” the owner of the store said to the four who stood at the counter.
“Good day,” answered Vince. “Just these items for now,” added Vince pointing to the unicorn plates and cups. The owner was an elderly man who seemed as though he had lived in Tucker Hollow his entire life.
“You folks aren’t from around here, are you?” the store owner asked.
“No, but we are staying in Tucker Hollow,” replied Vince.
“I’m sorry, I can’t sell you anything in this store.”
“I have cash,” argued Vince.
Maddy interjected, “They are staying with my family a few roads up from here.”
“I’m sorry. I’m only serving customers who live in Tucker Hollow. And these two aren’t from around here.”
Addy responded to the store owner, “But these guys live here now. We all do since the power outage.”
The store owner asked, “Since you guys are all staying here now, I suppose I can make an exception. Where are ya’ll staying?”
Addison answered, “We’re staying with our grandpa Dwight.”
“Dwight?” shouted the store owner. “That’s a name I’d rather not hear.”
Vince looked puzzled and asked, “What’s so bad about Dwight?”
“Let me make it clear to you and your friends,” the store owner stared at Vince and seethed. “Dwight is a selfish bastard that only cares about himself. He’ll let the whole town die rather than help any of us. Now, you four get out of here this instant, or I’ll start shooting!” As soon as Maddy heard those words, she turned pale and grabbed the arm of Addison who appeared to be still in shock and bolted for the door. Vince and Gary followed right behind them.
The four walked at a brisk pace down the road in silence, Maddy still in shock over the confrontation between them and the general store owner. They walked around town, Maddy calming her nerves. “What’s going on over there?” Addy asked, pointing to a crowd of people gathering in a park just off of Main Street.
Addison and Madison led the pack over to where the crowd of people were assembled in the park right off of Main Street in downtown Tucker Hollow. Gary and Vince followed, struggling to keep up with Maddy and Addy. As the girls reached the crowd, Maddy overheard conversations about the redistribution and food rationing.
“The meeting was very informative,” one woman started as Maddy walked by. “Seems like the Mayor wants me to donate a pound of food per day per person that I have in my household. That appears to be reasonable,” the woman said to another woman.
Maddy paused to speak with the woman. “Did I hear you say something about a meeting?”
“Oh dear, you didn’t attend?” the woman asked.
“No, we were walking downtown,” answered Maddy, Gary and Vince joined her. “What was it about?”
The other woman interjected and said, “If you did not know about the meeting then you were not invited to attend.”
“Oh,” responded Maddy, her eyes falling to the ground. Seemed as though the town was divided, and the Conner’s were not on the town’s side. This was a disconcerting realization that there was us and them. Maddy’s chest constricted from the mounting anxiety and pressure coming from the woman’s glares.
Gary must have caught on to Maddy’s duress as he casually responded, “Well, ladies, thank you for your time.” Gary guided Maddy and the four walk among the dispersing crowd.
“Seems like the townsfolk are in favor of the food collection, redistribution and rationing,” concluded Madison as she whispered to Gary.
“Seems like they are for it.”
They walked to the other side of the park where they were met with a group of protestors. “Hey, Maddy! Look!” Addy shouted, pointing to a group of people holding signs that read, Be Prepared or Be Hungry. Another sign read, Fail to prepare, prepare to fail. Finally, Maddy recognized one of the signs that had a Carl Sagan quote on it, Extinction is the rule, survival is the exception.
Maddy turned to Addy and said, “These are all things our grandpa says.” Madison took a moment and then continued, “These guys are on our side.”
“Right!” Vince confirmed. Madison took a mental note of the people who stood to protest the meeting. One man wore a green shirt and had brown hair. Another had a large white cowboy hat on his head and was tall and slender. Their wives accompanied them. The protestors were vastly outnumbered by the townsfolk who supported the redistribution of food. There were only around ten protestors or so.
“I think we should get back home,” suggested Gary.
“Yeah, we got all we needed to know. Let’s get out of here,” affirmed Maddy.
As they we headed back to the van, they walked by the community garden. Vince seemed to get excited over the garden, “Hey guys! Look, it’s a community garden.” The others stopped as Vince looked at several people working in the garden, weeding and picking the fruit and vegetables from the beds.”
Gary said to Vince, “We have our own garden back at Dwight’s. We don’t need to be a part of this garden.”
Vince turned his eyes from the garden and back to Gary, “Gary, I don’t think you’re seeing what I’m seeing. The garden is not for us. We were fortunate to have met up with Rachel and the Conner’s that we are set. Imagine if we never did, where would we be.”
“Good point.”
Vince continued, “Remember when I worked in the garden center of Home Depot when we were in high school, before we started our firefighter training?”
“Yes.”
“I loved that job. I could be good at this. It will give me something to do,” explained Vince. “I will see if I could start to work here.”
Vince opened the three-foot high gate that enclosed the garden and spoke to one of the town officials who oversaw the garden. The town official wore a white shirt and coveralls. He was a taller man, and apparently the one in charge while the townspeople worked in the garden, he stood and monitored their actions, puffing out his chest. He walked the rows of beds, his straw hat keeping the sun out of his eyes. Vince walked right up to him as he checked on the beds. The three watched from behind the gate.
Speaking with the town official, Vince appeared to be enthusiastic about his new venture. He shook the town official’s hand and walked back to Maddy, Addy, and Gary who waited. Upon approaching he said to the three, “I start tomorrow!”
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Vince opened the gate, and the four continued their way back to the van. Vince continued explaining, “I’m really excited,” he started.
“We can tell,” affirmed Gary.
“I’ll help monitor who has donated seeds, volunteered hours to the garden, and who is allowed to take food,” explained Vince. “But that’s not why I’m excited. I’m excited to get my hands dirty and to help the community learn to take care of themselves. I can’t wait to share all of my gardening tips with them.”
The four arrived at the van and piled in, their demeanor less excited and intense than when they embarked on this journey, all four of them tired.
Maddy waiting until they shut the van doors before she spoke up. “I’m just going to come out and say this,” she started. Gary and Vince both turned their heads from the front seats to face her. “I am uncomfortable with Vince spending time with the townspeople. You heard what they think about Dwight and they want a free hand out.”
Gary started the van and put it in gear. Then Gary argued, “I was on the same page as you at first,” started Gary. “But I started thinking about it. Besides Vince being extremely excited about this new venture, it gives us a way to keep tabs on the community. We could use this garden as a way to network and form alliances. Not to mention, we can keep a close eye on what is happening in the town.”
“I see your point,” answered Maddy, processing the positive aspects of this. “You know, I don’t like the idea, but I’m willing to help.”
Day Eighteeen
Chapter Nine
Liam Conner
The Dint Residence
Spartanburg, South Carolina
9:02 AM
“So, what time are you leaving today?” Harv asked Liam at the breakfast table as he left the guest bedroom and joined Prue, Carol, and Harv.
“Gees, Harv. I’m not sure. My leg began hurting, the one with the gunshot wound and since I’d have to walk back to Tucker Hollow, I might need a few more days to rest. As soon as Liam’s words left his mouth, he could see the disappointment in Harv’s face that he was not leaving today. “I might need a few more days to build up my strength,” added Liam. Liam could tell Harv was not thrilled by that development. Using his injured leg, which was almost healed, and lack of transportation as an excuse to coax Prue if not Harv and Carol into going with him to Dwight’s.
Prue must have caught on to Liam’s plan as she quickly spoke up to her parents. “What would you guys think if we went with Liam and lived at his grandpa’s house? It’s big, has a garden, livestock, and Dwight bakes coffee cakes and squeezes fresh juice every morning. He’s already invited you guys to live there,” explained Prue.
“Honey, we can’t go with Liam. It’s a generous offer, but your dad has to collect a list of the resources for Spartanburg and help with distribution of food. Not to mention once they restore our power, your dad has to go back to work. Should be any day now,” explained Carol.
Prue looked visibly upset, and she countered, “What if this power outage is longer than what you anticipate? What if it will take years to build the rebuild our infrastructure? What then?” Prue seemed to get emotional over this and frustrated that her parents were not comprehending the gravity of the situation. Here they thought they would help organize the community into surviving the few weeks that the power was out and then everything would return to normal.
“Our job, dear, is to help our community,” interjected Harv. Apparently, he saw that Prue was upset, and wanted to smooth over then tension at the breakfast table.
Carol added, “Right, hon. Our community is in need, and we must help—” Carol was interrupted by a knock at the door.
“Let me get that,” said Harv as he got up from his chair.
Harv opened the door and said, “Oh, hey, Jim Barnes. You’re here nice and early.” Harv stuck his head out of the doorway, “I see you brought some help, that’s fantastic. We’ll get the food collection done in no time.”
Liam and Prue went over to the front door to see what was going on. As they went to the door, Liam’s stomach turned over as his eyes were met with ten neighbors who brought with them Wheelbarrows, hand carts, and children’s wagons. Anything that could carry food, they brought with them.
“Jim Barnes, have you met my daughter, Prue, she’s a country singer in Nashville,” introduced Harv. Prue and Jim Barnes shook hands. “And this is her friend Liam. He’ll be heading back to Tennessee shortly.”
“Tennessee, good ol’ Smokies,” replied Jim Barnes, shaking Liam’s hand.
“Pleasure to meet you, sir,” said Liam.
“So, I was thinking we could use these wagons and wheelbarrows to lug the food to the unsold houses,” explained Jim Barnes.
“Great idea, I know that’s what we discussed in the town meeting,” answered Harv.
“Right. And either you or I, or even Liam could stand guard,” suggested Jim Barnes.
“Perfect. Let me get Carol, we can start with my house. Carol! Start gathering our items. We will lead by example,” said Harv as he turned toward the kitchen and the breakfast table where Carol sat in her wheelchair.
Prue said, “I’ll go help mom,” as she went back to the kitchen to assist Carol. Meanwhile Jim Barnes split up the neighbors who brought wheelbarrows and wagons with them into groups. They lined the sidewalk, paired up.
Carol and Prue came to the door, Prue carried two loaves of bread and Carol had three bottles of water, a stick of butter, and a bag of rice on her lap as she wheeled herself to Harv.
Sadness fell over Liam as he watched this happen. The Dints did not have much, and they were willing giving away the little they did have.
“This is what we had left in the cupboard,” announced Carol.
“Great, let’s put it in one of the wagons,” suggested Harv. Prue walked over to one of the wagons and put the loaves of bread in before collecting the items from her mom’s lap and placing them in the wagon as well.
“Looks like we are ready!” Harv announced.
“All right, I have the groups that will be hitting certain streets ready to go,” replied Jim Barnes.
Liam, overwhelmed by frustration by all of this, yet not knowing what to do said, “I’ll help. Where should I go?”
“Thanks, I appreciate it,” said Harv. “But you need to rest your leg. You have a long journey back to Tennessee, and I want you at full strength.”
Liam’s head fell. He knew why Harv wanted him to stay behind. It was because he was to embark on the journey back to Tennessee alone and sooner than Liam was planning on.
As the neighbors dispersed down the street, Prue and Carol joined in the collection. Prue, waved goodbye to Liam as he watched through the front window.
Harv, Prue, and Carol returned later that afternoon, appearing to be tired as they came in through the front door. “Long day?” Liam asked as the Dints had beads of sweat on their foreheads, Harv letting his face with a bandana.
“Hot out there,” answered Harv. “But we collected a ton of food. We placed it in the old Johnson house about four houses down. They moved to Columbia earlier this year, and their house is still on the market. I’m sure they wouldn’t mind that we are using it as a storage facility as we ride this thing out.”
Prue appeared to be exhausted, her checks flushed from helping her mom collect the food with the other neighbors. Carol often resisted being pushed in her wheelchair, but the day was long, and Prue went to ensure her mom would be safe.
Carol had left enough food to tie the family over until the next day’s breakfast. Dinner would consist of saltine crackers and a cup of water that they had left out on the countertop, releasing the rest of their food to the food collection.
Liam could have a moment with Prue at the kitchen table while Carol wrote poetry in the den and Harv straightened up the family room. “So, any chance your parents will come with us to Grandpa Dwight’s?” Liam asked, scared to broach the topic as he didn’t want to hear the answer he fea
red.
“No, I don’t think they will come. For the first time, my dad feels like he is needed by someone other than my mom, and I think he likes that feeling.”
“They would be safer and more comfortable at my grandpa’s.”
“I know that. But they don’t see it. They believe this whole thing will be over in a few days and that everything will be back to normal. I wish they lived in reality.”
“What if you came with me, and your parents stayed here,” suggested Liam.
“Liam, I can’t. I have to make sure my parents are both all right. I realize that I never explained that my mom was shot and is paralyzed from the waist down before, but that is the main reason. My dad takes good care of her, but there are times when she needs me.”
Liam’s heart broke at hearing these words, however, he understood that Prue needed to stay close to her parents. Despite his admiration for her, he couldn’t imagine his life without her. He had been stuffing those feelings in, but the notion of him losing her was more than he could take. After he realized his powerful feelings for Prue, he muttered, “I think your dad will allow me to stay a few more days while I rest up. I hope you change your mind.”
Liam couldn’t bear looking at Prue any longer. He got up from his chair and went to the guest bedroom to have a moment.
Later that evening, Liam joined the Dints at the dinner table for their daily rations. Liam could eat ten crackers. The Dints had rationed out the half the box of crackers since they were expecting to have access to the food storage house the following day after breakfast. Liam grew tired of the few processed starches the Dints rationed each day and lamented that he had left the comforts of Dwight’s homestead. However, if it meant that Liam could spend more time with Prue and possibly encourage her and her parents to return with him, it would all be worth it.
