Next World Series (Vol. 1): Families First

by Ewing, Lance K.

  “Before I forget,” recalled Sheriff Johnson, “we’re getting together a little group of folks trading and selling goods and services (once a week for now),” pointing towards the main square. Several groups of people were setting up tables and tents. “It starts tomorrow…runs from 8 a.m. or so until about 4. My men and I will provide security and ensure fair trade for all in attendance. Cost for each vendor is either a silver coin or a small portion of what they are selling going to the town. All distributions of said monies or goods will be done by the City Council in a fair manner.

  “We will meet at about 7:30 in the morning with all vendors and go through the official rules of trade. If I remember correctly, you have a fair amount of eggs, honey, fruits and vegetables?”

  “Yes, sir. That’s right. We’ll be back in the morning with a few things to trade and see how it goes.”

  James and Janice brought the trailer back to Jason’s house, checking in about halfway on the walkie-talkie. “All good here,” reported Jason. “We’re just about packed up. Lauren’s getting lunch on, so you’ll be just in time.”

  Freeze-dried Mountain House beef stroganoff with noodles, as well as a pickled tomato and cucumber salad, was on the menu. “I may have to take a nap after this hearty lunch,” joked James.

  Just before 4 p.m. they were loaded up and the Davises left their home for the last time. “Think my truck will ever start again?” asked Jason. James replied: “It’s too new, I think, but we’ll tow it behind the trailer back to the ranch, just in case it ever does.”

  Jason and Lauren sat with their girls on the trailer with full stomachs, all of their belongings, and smiles only a new life could bring.

  “We are truly blessed,” whispered Jason to Lauren. “I am still the man you married and who fathered our children. I love you and the girls so much and I just know we are going to be happy.”

  “I love you too,” she told him. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but this is one of the happiest days of my life,” she added.

  Fifteen minutes later they pulled into the front gate of New Beginnings Ranch. The girls were so excited to see all of the animals on what Jason thought must be at least 40 acres, with a large main house and several barns.

  James pulled up to the main house and said, “Let’s show you all around. We’ve got a couple hours of daylight at most and there are chores to be done. Then Janice, if you can show Lauren and the girls around the house, Jason and I can handle evening chores. Let’s get the essentials for tonight off the trailer and I’ll park it in the big barn for now. We can unload the rest over the next few days.”

  James took Jason around on the tractor and showed him the nightly chores. “I’m not expecting any help for the next week or two, until you mend up, but just wanted to give you an idea of what it takes. We will be using the four-wheelers once you’re better.”

  “I can’t wait to pull my weight on your ranch,” said Jason. “Can I ask you a question?”

  “Sure. What’s on your mind?” asked James.

  I was just wondering why the name of your ranch has to do with second chances? It certainly fits my current situation,” he added.

  “Well, seeing as you’re just about family now, it’s a fair question. I grew up in the city—south side of Chicago—as a young boy and my early adult years. I got off to a bad start and got caught up in the sins of drugs and violence. Back then, there were not a lot of choices for a young kid, and I fell in with the wrong crowd.

  “I met Janice at a pizza parlor my gang was about to collect protection money from, and she was different. She was a new hire and said, ‘Your protection here is no longer needed.’ She was absolutely resolute and my fellow members left them alone for a while. I was smitten with her right away. She was unlike any other girl I had ever known. She started to date me without anyone’s knowledge. It was God’s plan…I believe that to this day. She taught me to be a better man, and eventually a good husband and a follower of Jesus.

  “Six months later we moved out here. In Chicago you don’t just tell your fellow gang members ‘I’m moving out West tomorrow and I quit!’

  “So we left in the middle of the night, with just one bag each, and bought Amtrak train tickets to Los Angeles. We planned to jump off somewhere before LA, in case we were tracked.

  “The train stopped in Trinidad and we got off for just a quick coffee break and to stretch our legs. We must have gotten caught up in that morning walk because by the time we returned to the station, the train had moved on.”

  “‘Well, I guess this is it,’ said Janice,” and we made our way out here 20 or so miles from Trinidad. I was determined to start anew, and with Janice I had that chance. A second chance and a new beginning.

  “I’ve never looked back and I thank God every day for my salvation…and for Janice, who saved me.”

  “Did you have to change your name?” asked Jason.

  “When you leave a group like that, with widespread influence, you don’t get to keep anything, not even a name.”

  “Everyone deserves a second chance, or a do-over. It’s what you do with it that makes the difference,” Jason replied.

  Janice showed Lauren and the girls around the house. At nearly 4,500 square feet, it was one of the larger ranch houses in the area.

  “Mom, this house is huge!” exclaimed Carla.

  “Carla,” suggested Lauren, “let’s just look around.”

  “It’s fine,” interjected Janice. “We just always expected to have a big family, whether naturally or by adoption. I’m just glad we can fill it up now.

  “This is your house now,” she expressed to Lauren and the girls. “Our house is your house and our food is your food. We are so happy that you are here. And I have a surprise for tomorrow!”

  “A surprise? I love surprises!” squealed Jenna. “Me too,” added Candice and Carla together.

  “Well, I have to talk to James,” said Janice, “but we may have an opportunity to go into town tomorrow.”

  James and Jason returned from chores at about 6 p.m.

  “Janice and I have dinner tonight,” reported James.

  Lauren and the girls got settled in the rooms upstairs. There were three open rooms but the girls wanted to stay in the same room, right next to their mom and dad.

  Another freeze-dried dinner, this time by Wise foods, with chili-mac and canned green beans. After the girls went to bed, the adults sat down in the living room.

  “I feel like we’re in the great room of an upscale lodge,” suggested Lauren. “What a difference a few days make…”

  “We are happy to have you all here,” continued James. “Jason, can I get you a scotch? And how about you ladies—can I get you some wine?”

  “Red for me,” said Janice. “That would be wonderful,” added Lauren. “Absolutely! Thank you so much,” chipped in Jason.

  James poured two glasses of Glenlivet 12-year. His old friend and coworker David had introduced it to him years ago, and it stuck... “And red cab for the ladies.”

  “I have two things to discuss,” stated James. “First, we need to look at the security of this ranch. We learned a good lesson last night, and that could happen here. We will need to look at security as a high-level priority.

  “Second, they have a weekly merchant event in Weston tomorrow from about 7:30-4.”

  “I think the girls would love to go, but if it’s OK I would prefer to stay here,” said Jason. “I could sit on the front porch with a good rifle and protect the property, but I don’t want to slow anyone down.”

  “Well, that might just be a good idea,” agreed James.

  “What’s your take?” he asked Lauren. “As long as it’s safe, I think the girls would love it,” she replied.

  “The Sheriff is providing the security and the trip there is not bad,” added Janice.

  “It’s settled then,” declared James. “We will leave at 6:30 tomorrow morning and I’ll get some things together to trade. Jason, we should be back ar
ound 5 p.m.”

  James was up early, around 4 a.m., and headed to one of his four storage sheds. He wasn’t interested in trading anything freeze-dried, since it was good for up to 25 years.

  He gathered some jars of honey, some fresh vegetables Janice had picked a few days ago, 20 apples right from the tree, 10 pounds of beef jerky and 12 varieties of heirloom seeds. James and Janice had been reusing heirloom seeds for years and banked the rest for a rainy day. They were worth their weight in gold now.

  At 6:30 they headed to town with the tractor. James hooked up one of the smaller trailers and the only other people on the road were obviously other vendors looking to peddle their wares.

  The oversized clock, working perfectly on the front of the courthouse, read 7:10. Twenty minutes later Sheriff Johnson came out and began to speak.

  “Thank you to our vendors,” he boomed in a loud voice, not having a microphone. “This is the first of what we hope are many weekly trading days to come. My men and I will be providing security and ensuring fair trade. We will not tolerate violence of any kind or unfair trades, including price gouging or sleight of hand. We expect a fair market for both the vendors and customers.

  “We also must support our great city and are asking for a fair tax from each vendor. We can accept $2 in silver coins, pre-1965 Junk Silver dimes, quarters or half dollars, or a small portion of approximately five percent of what you have to sell today, and the same for each day of trade. The city donations will be distributed appropriately by the city council.

  “We will be by in the next couple hours. Thank you for coming and happy trading to you all!”

  James, Janice, Lauren and her girls set up two tables. It was looking like a beautiful day and they opted not to put up the overhang canvas top that James had brought.

  All told, there were more than 70 vendors there. There was everything from hotdogs to cotton candy to kitchen wares. Most, James observed, were not accepting any paper money. The only money accepted was silver and gold coins, or pre-1965 dimes, quarters and half dollars made with silver.

  James had amassed quite a collection of these pre-1965 coins, known as junk silver, over the last five years. He would buy them whenever he got a chance at a garage sale, a local pawn shop, and even off the Internet, as well as one-ounce American Eagle silver and gold coins. He once joked to a buddy at work that he had 100 ounces of silver for every one ounce of gold in his collection. At $16 per ounce for silver and $1,200 per ounce of gold, it was an easy decision for James. He told Janice they would only trade coins if they ran out of goods to use, but they would happily accept them at their booth.

  Janice took Lauren and the girls around to each vendor to introduce themselves and see what they might trade for. James radioed Jason to see how everything was going. “It’s all good,” said Jason, “except I can’t see most of the property from the front porch. I’ll hold the fort the best I can, though. How are my girls?”

  “They are doing good,” replied James. “Off with Janice at the moment. I’ll check back in a little later. Thanks for holding down the fort, Jason.”

  Janice, Lauren and the girls stopped to pet a large black dog. “He must be about a thousand pounds!” said Jenna.

  “Not quite,” said the vendor selling old blankets. “He’s about 135 pounds and the sweetest Chocolate Lab you’ll ever find, as long as you’re not a stranger.”

  “Does he have a name?” asked Candice. “His name is Chance and he’s for sale,” said the vendor.

  All three of the girls were petting him. “Mommy, we love Chance,” said Carla. “Can we buy him?”

  “I’m sorry, honey, but we can’t do that. He’s a big boy,” said Janice, petting him. “Maybe you should bring him by Stand #49. My husband, James, might like to meet him.”

  It wasn’t long before Janice, Lauren and the girls were back at the stand, with the girls enjoying chocolate chip pancakes.

  “Guess you can find just about anything here,” laughed James. “Just like a real flea market.”

  A few minutes later the vendor came by with Chance. “This is Chance,” the woman said to James. “He’s great with kids but not too much with strangers.”

  “We’re not in the market for a dog,” James said coldly.

  “Sure. I understand,” replied the vendor. “I’ll be back in just a few,” she added. Please keep an eye on him,” handing James the leash.

  “I told you we’re not interested,” repeated James, as the lady disappeared into the crowd.

  “OK, Chance,” James commanded. “Sit.” The dog sat immediately and looked straight ahead. He was a statue, without moving a muscle, as buyers traded for vegetables and honey.

  An hour later, as James was wondering if the vendor would return, Chance started a low growl, fixed on a man in a robe signifying he was some kind of priest.

  “Chance, calm down,” instructed James, but it was too late. The dog broke through the leash and knocked the preacher man over onto his back. Both James and Sheriff Johnson were on the scene immediately, having both watched the commotion.

  “I’m sorry, Pastor,” the Sheriff said, helping him up. As he did, two pistols fell out from inside his robe. “That’s him!” screamed a woman running towards them. “He stole our guns. He’s not a man of God. He is a thief! And those,” she panted, pointing to the guns on the ground, “belong to us. They are for sale, but not for free.”

  Sheriff Johnson took the man out of the area, with his hands behind his back. Chance ran back to the front table and licked James’ hand. “OK, big boy. You give a good interview. You better be good with those little girls.” Chance answered with a bark and laid at James’ feet.

  “What do they want for the dog?” James asked Janice. “Well, we struck a deal for three pints of honey, a few vegetables and two pounds of beef jerky, just in case you were interested. Shall I pay them now, my love?” asked Janice in a voice like she knew the answer an hour ago.

  “What about Lauren and her girls?” he asked. “Do they like dogs?”

  “They love this one is all I know,” replied Janice.

  “All right, then. Guess we could use a good hound on the ranch to keep an eye on things. Jason was just commenting earlier on the radio that he couldn’t see the whole property. Plus, I like the name.”

  “I bet you do,” teased Janice, with a smile.

  Janice made the trade, asking the vendor why she didn’t come back for the dog.

  “I knew he would grow on your husband, given some time. He’s a real good boy, but he needs somewhere outdoors to run. I just can’t give him that here in town… Also, there’s this,” she said, handing Janice an extra collar, leash, and about 15 pounds of dog food in an original bag. “Just so you know, he’ll be four years old in a couple months and he’s had all his shots. He’s good on those for about nine more months, not that it matters much now.”

  “We will take great care of him, I promise,” stated Janice. “Should we bring him over for a good-bye?”

  “No need, sweetie. I already said good-bye when I brought him over to your booth,” she replied with a laugh.

  “Well, girls,” informed Janice. “We now have a new dog!” The girls screamed with delight and were talking over each other about who was going to walk, feed and brush him.

  With the trade for Chance and more food put up for the City Council for the vendor buy-in, they were running low on inventory. “Next week we’ll be back with a lot more goods,” he told Janice, showing her the six one-ounce silver coins he had collected, along with the three dollars in junk silver and some other odds and ends he had traded for.

  “I think it was a good day,” she concluded, and the girls had so much fun. We all really needed this, James—Lauren too.”

  James thanked Sheriff Johnson as they packed up their tables and said, “We’ll be back next week, if that’s all right.”

  “Of course, James. You’re always welcome here…and that crime-fighting dog as well!” he added with a laugh. �
�Not all priests are created equal!” James remarked.

  “By the way, James,” finished the Sheriff, taking him aside. “Judge Lowry doesn’t have much tolerance towards men who assault an unarmed man and try to take advantage of his wife in front of her kids. You won’t be seeing those two again, I can assure you of that.”

  “So I should stay on your good side?” asked James, half joking. “It’s a good idea,” replied the Sheriff in a serious tone. James was curious about the verdict but thought it best to leave it alone.

  “And the preacher man?” asked James.

  “Don’t know yet about him. It’s up to the Judge and I’m sure he will rule tomorrow. See you next week, James,” the Sheriff called as he walked away.