The Mechanic by Jerry D Young

Author:Jerry D Young [Young, Jerry D]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Creative Texts Publishers, LLC
Published: 2018-11-10T05:00:00+00:00

Sterling didn’t see Jocko again until the next morning. He watched from the door to the shelter as Jennie helped Sterling load up several cans of milk and some boxes into the back of Sterling’s pickup. Jocko made no move in return when both Jennie and Sterling waved goodbye as Sterling pulled away from the property.

There was only small talk between Jennie and Sterling until they arrived at the grocery store. There were twenty or more people there, most carrying some kind of container. Sterling’s hand was on the M1A SM when he stopped the truck and the people gathered around.

But he relaxed, slightly, when Holt Cumberland pushed his way through the crowds, trying to guide people back to form a line as he approached the truck.

“Sorry about the mob scene,” Holt said as Sterling stepped out of the truck, the M1A SM in his hand. Sterling slung the rifle over his shoulder, but his eyes were drawn to several men and a couple of women standing well apart from the others. They were heavily armed, whereas, when Sterling took a close look, he determined that only a few of the almost mob had weapons on them.

“I’m going to trust you to tell me who is really having a hard way to go, and those that can do some simple work for the milk.” Sterling looked steadily at Holt.

“Gonna make me work for a share, huh?” Holt asked, but grinned.

“That’s right. Sing for your supper… in this case, milk. And eggs.”

“Eggs, too? Fresh?”

Sterling nodded.

“Old grouch McFarland has some layers, but his family is using everything they can produce.”

“I’ll hold a half dozen back for you, and a quart of milk for helping out.” Sterling said.

Holt nodded.

“Okay, people!” Holt said again, much louder this time, as he turned to face the crowd. “Line up. You. Marian Blake. You first.”

There were three children clinging to her skirt when Marian stepped forward, holding an empty gallon milk jug.

“Is it clean?” Jennie asked.

When Marian nodded, Jennie filled the jug with a dipper from one of the milk cans. “Wait,” Sterling said when Marian started to turn away, mumbling her thanks. He handed her six eggs when she handed off the milk to the oldest child.

“Oh, thank you! And… When I can… I’ll help with any work I can do.” Sterling nodded, but hurriedly turned to the next person.

“Hatch,” Holt said. “He can work. Milk. No eggs.”

The middle aged man glared at Holt, but took and signed the barter slip Sterling had on a clipboard. Sterling gave the man his copy and Jennie filled the two empty water bottles with milk.

And so it went. Sterling was beginning to sweat a bit as the group disappeared slowly, as the milk disappeared quickly. But of the group that first appeared, everyone got some, those most in need, by Holt’s indications, got four or six eggs.

Expecting not everyone would have suitable containers, Sterling had brought along all his empty water bottles. He filled two of them with milk for Holt and started to hand him six eggs carefully stacked in a small cardboard box.

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