Survivors by Jessie Pinkham

Author:Jessie Pinkham [Pinkham, Jessie]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

The beet crop is respectable if not spectacular. We’ve stashed plenty in our shed, brought some to Mrs. Franklin, and still have more to share.

“I guess we can bring these to Viv’s,” says Stan when we’ve loaded the wagon for him.

“Finally committing to the move?” I ask.

“Don’t really want to, but pretty sure I need to if I’m ever going to move forward.”

“Fair enough. Want help?”

“That’d be great, thanks.”

“I’ll help too,” offers Nate.

Not to be left out, Lily says, “So will I.”

“Thanks, guys, I appreciate it. Barnacle won’t be any help at all, little freeloader.”

“If you’re trying to convince us you don’t like your cat,” says my sister, “it’s not working.”

“He’s not bad,” Stan concedes. “He’s just not very useful.”

Neither is Coal, who’s well suited to life as a pet and would’ve made a lousy barn cat due to his general distaste for weather. Lily loves her kitten all the same, and I will admit that he does a good job of killing any moths that get into the house. I don’t mind Coal, I just prefer dogs. Whatever Stan says, though, Lily’s right. He’s fond of Barnacle.

“Companionship counts,” says Lily.

“So can we use the wagon and horses? I’ll take one load over in my car.”

“Naturally.” Horse and wagon is the most efficient way to relocate Stan’s possessions, especially since both humans and horses have gotten more used to the arrangement.

“Do you need me to unload beets?” asks Lily.

I shake my head. “Nope.” All we have to do is unload the beets in Stan’s new place and we’re done for the day.

“Good. I’m hungry and I want to get dinner started. Stan, you’re staying, right?”

“If you’re feeding me, I’m definitely staying.”

“If we’re feeding you, you’re washing dishes,” I say.

“I can live with that.”

“Nice,” says Nate. “It’s my night to wash.”

“Oh, now I see how it is, Lee. You’re trying to butter up your boyfriend by making me take his turn washing dishes.”

“It’s working,” Nate says with a contented smile, so I decide not to mention that I actually thought I was on washing duty tonight.

Stan fails to find any support from Lily who says, “It’s my night off dishes so I don’t care.”

“Well, I guess it’s still fair,” he says. “Especially if Lily is cooking.”

I scowl at him for effect and get the horses moving. “And my cooking isn’t worth it?”

“Still better than mine, but no offense, your sister is a better cook than you are.”

“You’re only saying that because she makes pie.” I know this isn’t true, strictly speaking. Partially true, because Lily does make pie and I don’t, but that’s not the only reason her cooking is better. She’s got a gift for sampling food, adding a pinch of this and that, and turning it from good to great. It’s a talent she learned from Mom and the reason she keeps up Mom’s herb garden.

Stan shrugs. “If you want to make pie I’ll eat that too.”

“If we want pie long term we’re going to need a supply of sugar,” says Nate.

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