WWIV_The Last Finders by e a lake

Author:e a lake [lake, e a]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-05-20T21:00:00+00:00

Standing in the morning sunlight, two men looked over the 20-acre rich, black soil. A slight west wind wafted a sour odor their way. Both men covered their noses with their arms.

“Looks good, Jerry,” Wayne began. “All turned and ready to plant.” He glanced at his guard. “Maybe a little heavy on the fertilizer, you think?”

Jerry shook his head. “No, same amount as always. Turned in by the gangs real good, too. I expect a much better crop than last year.” Jerry let his arm drop for a second, but pulled it quickly back in place with one whiff of the putrid odor.

“What’s going here this year?” Wayne asked. “Corn?”

Jerry repeated his headshake. “Green beans, sir. We’ve had corn here two years in a row. Time to give the soil a little break.” The men turned and strolled back towards the community.

“How about over there?” Wayne pointed to another 20-acre field off in the distance. He noticed Jerry check a sheet of paper.

“Tomatoes, I think. Maybe wheat this year.” He shrugged. “The ag boys are still arguing about a few spots yet. They’ll get that all sorted out. The planters will start on corn today. Hopefully finish by late tomorrow. Then beans and peas and wheat.” Jerry adjusted his Twins baseball cap perched back on his head.

“How we coming on planters?” Wayne asked.

“They told me last week we had 280 eligible.” That response made Wayne frown. “May have to pull in some older ones as well this year. With 280, that’s more than a solid week of planting. Plus, with their other duties. Well, it just might be a little much.”

Wayne softened his expression. “Jerry,” he said, reaching out for his friends arm. “I think we should double the rations for the family of that thief for a little while. Maybe the next two weeks.” Wayne gauged the other man’s expression – nothing.

“Whatever you think, Captain.” Jerry stopped and stared at Wayne’s hat before he spoke again. “Seems like we’re rewarding them for housing a crook though, sir.” Jerry’s eyes searched Wayne’s.

“No, no,” Wayne started. “We’re just helping them through their grief. Showing we understand that this is hard on them. People will see that and know we care.” Wayne smiled broadly. Jerry missed his point.

“Jerry, listen to me. We’re rewarding them. A thief was caught. Good prevailed. If we reward them, what will them others think?” Jerry’s eyes narrowed; he still didn’t understand.

“Jerry,” Wayne said taking his arm. “They’ll know now that if anyone turns in a thief, even their own blood, they’ll be rewarded. Right?”

Jerry turned and shook his head. “They didn’t turn him in. Darby got him to confess. The wife said she didn’t know nothing about it.”

Wayne rolled his eyes. “Jerry. I know that, you know that, she knows that. But the rest of the people don’t.’ Finally, Jerry’s eyes lit up. Wayne nodded. “Time to start a rumor, Jerry. Time to let the people know. The truth will set their hunger free.” Wayne slapped Jerry’s back heartily as they returned from the fields.

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