Post by bretf on Sept 19, 2021 13:15:27 GMT
Chapter 26
The garden wasn’t completely irrigated but Kevin shut the water off. He’d finish in the evening, time allowing, or the next day. It was time to go shopping. Friday had been payday.
After earmarking what he still owed for the guns, he had a decent amount of cash that wasn’t needed to cover bills. Staying away from The Watering Hole and making his own meals, he could spend it on preps. But he wouldn’t go hog-wild; he didn’t have enough money for that.
The thrift stores would be open for a few more hours yet. That’d be the place to start, to check for canning jars, storage containers, tools, and he didn’t know what else.
Actually, the thrift stores would be second. The pawnshop was certainly open. He wanted to take care of his obligations there first thing.
Looking at Jack and Jill, he had a quick mental debate on whether or not to take them along. He didn’t like making them wait in the truck. Not one bit.
On the other hand, he recalled the day he’d left them home and Tammy had shown up. He was certain he’d locked the doors but they were running free when he returned. What would happen if she showed up and let them out again? They didn’t like her and he was pretty sure she returned the feelings. Especially after last night. What would she do if she got them alone?
And what about someone from the neighbors’ place? He had vivid memories of the first time he’d seen Charley’s thugs. And you better control those f’ing mutts if you don’t want ‘em hurt. Or dead. The dogs were sure to guard their home.
Nothing he owned was worth their lives. His mind was made up. “Come on, guys. Let’s go to town.”
Kevin entered the pawnshop and looked around. Two men were working behind the counter, including the man who’d sold him the guns. The man Kevin wanted to talk to was dealing with a customer so Kevin wandered around while waiting. He was drawn to the tools but didn’t see anything he needed. He drifted to the gun display, not that he was planning on buying another.
The customer left with his new to him amplifier. The shop proprietor walked down the counter to where Kevin was browsing. “How ya doin? Ya lookin fer a gun?”
“Un, no,” Kevin said, turning and looking at the man.
With a piercing gaze at Kevin, the man said, “No, I spose not. Let’s go to the end of the counter.” The words were accompanied by a head bob in the direction he wanted Kevin to go. They stopped where it’d be difficult for anyone to hear their conversation.
“I wanted to give you the rest of the money I owe you,” Kevin said, holding several bills out.
The man didn’t take it, instead, studying Kevin. “I see you’re packing. But it might not be enough.”
“What, why?” Kevin asked, confused.
“I keep my ear to the ground and I’ve been hearing some things. Yeah, didn’t get sprung, but from what I hear, ya might have worse problems. By the way, I mentioned to Sis that I saw ya. She sends her regards.”
“Worse problems? What’re you talking about?”
The man’s forehead crinkled as he scrutinized Kevin. “I hear ya got new neighbors.”
Kevin was taken aback. “How would you know that?”
“As I said, I keep my ear to the ground. And it might surprise ya, but I make contact with a few unsavory folks.”
It didn’t surprise Kevin. The man didn’t look all that respectable himself. “So what are you hearing?”
“Let’s just say them ain’t a bunch of Boy and Girl Scouts what moved in by ya and leave it at that. And I think ya need a backup, a pocket gun.”
“I’ve already got a pistol.”
“Yeah, fer now. But ain’t ya ever heard, if ya got two, ya got one. If ya got one, ya got none. Somethin happens, ya could be without that piece.” He pointed at Kevin, directly at his concealed pistol. “Tell ya what. I got another pistol I’ll give ya fer what I paid. It’s easier hid, but close up, packs a helluva wallop.”
“I really don’t need another gun.”
The man’s piercing look seemed to weigh and measure Kevin and read all his thoughts. “Believe me, ya do.”
Kevin left the pawnshop with less money than he’d planned and his pocket weighted down. Rather than go to the thrift store, he drove to the gun store and bought more ammo. Of course, the new pistol was in a different caliber than the pistol he already had. From there he went to the gun range. There was no point in owning a gun if he wasn’t familiar with it.
Dave was there and walked Kevin through the pistol, the care and firing of it. Then he set Kevin up to get some shooting in and familiarize himself with it. Kevin noted Deputy Johnson was there again, her shots perfectly fired. He nodded to her and took the stall two over from her. After placing his ammo on the bench, he opened his cell phone, scrolled through it, and set it beside the ammo.
Loading the gun, he fired several times, reloaded, and fired again. He missed the target when it was at the end of the range. With each shot, he brought the target closer until it was at a range he could consistently hit it. As the pawnshop man had indicated, it was a close-range pistol.
Kevin pocketed his spent brass and the pistol, gathered his phone and remaining ammo, and turned to go. Deputy Johnson gave him a nod which Kevin returned as he went past her.
Jack and Jill were beyond excited when he got back to the truck. Smiling he scratched their ears and then pushed them away. “Yeah, I missed you guys too, now let me in.”
When he was situated with his seatbelt on, Kevin checked his watch. There was still time to hit at least one thrift store before heading home. “Tell ya what guys. We’re gonna make one more stop then we’ll go home. We’ll go for a nice walk when we get there.”
Jill flicked her tongue out, giving him a slurpy across the face.
“Easy,” he said, wiping his face and then shaking his head.
Kevin made the short drive to the nearest thrift store, parked, and went inside. He went first to the tool area. There was nothing he needed or even wanted very bad. As he made his way to the section where jars and storage containers would be if any were to be had, he stopped in his tracks.
Racks of clothing were hung, racks he customarily walked past. On the end was a Filson wool vest. He’d wanted one for a long time but couldn’t justify the cost. Figuring it was a futile gesture, he checked the tag, then checked again, making certain he’d read right. Not believing the price, he removed the vest from the hanger and tried it on. It fit perfectly. Even with the pistol and shoulder holster. He put it back on the hanger and checked the price one more time. He didn’t return it to the rack.
He stood there, thinking of various prep sites he’d read. Along with the three B-s, many recommended extra, durable clothing. Looking down the rack with new awareness, he saw many items he could use. Especially clothing for working outside, being exposed to hot and cold. Moving from section to section, he made mental notes of several items he’d come back and check for later. Two weeks later, after his next payday. As it was, after buying the pistol and ammo, the vest was all he could afford.
But he did continue to the area he’d been heading for. There were no canning jars. There was another popcorn tin. He could still afford it. He laughed at himself. But I can’t afford the sack of beans I was going to buy to put in one. Next payday.
He paid for his purchases, still amazed at the price on the vest, and left the store. The dogs were as happy to see him as they’d been when he returned to the truck at the gun range. They greeted him with a slurpy on each cheek.
When Kevin arrived home, he was pleased to see the moving van was gone. Hopefully, the thugs had all left with it. Not all of them, he told himself. Charley’s SUV was still there. Cindy’s sports car was gone. Is it too much to hope he went with her?
Kevin got a bucket and went to the chicken pen, wondering what he’d find. The hens were in the run, scratching and pecking away. They had enough food and water he didn’t need to do anything with them until the next day. He went inside and ducked into the coop. His face broke out in a wide smile when he looked in the nest boxes. Six eggs.
He went to the house, looking at the garden as he passed. There was time to start the water but he didn’t plan to stick around and monitor it. It could wait until morning. He’d promised his pals a walk. He put the egg bucket beside the sink and went back outside.
“Okay, let’s go. You know, despite getting new neighbors, this was a pretty good day. We got to spend time with Janice. We finished the peas, got corn and the berry vines planted. Paid off my debt. Found a great vest. Got to spend a lot of time with you. This was a pretty darn good day.”
He felt the weight of the new pistol, recalling the conversation with the man at the pawnshop. Looking at the quiet home next door, he added, “We better savor every good day we get. God only knows how many more we’ll have in the near future.”
The garden wasn’t completely irrigated but Kevin shut the water off. He’d finish in the evening, time allowing, or the next day. It was time to go shopping. Friday had been payday.
After earmarking what he still owed for the guns, he had a decent amount of cash that wasn’t needed to cover bills. Staying away from The Watering Hole and making his own meals, he could spend it on preps. But he wouldn’t go hog-wild; he didn’t have enough money for that.
The thrift stores would be open for a few more hours yet. That’d be the place to start, to check for canning jars, storage containers, tools, and he didn’t know what else.
Actually, the thrift stores would be second. The pawnshop was certainly open. He wanted to take care of his obligations there first thing.
Looking at Jack and Jill, he had a quick mental debate on whether or not to take them along. He didn’t like making them wait in the truck. Not one bit.
On the other hand, he recalled the day he’d left them home and Tammy had shown up. He was certain he’d locked the doors but they were running free when he returned. What would happen if she showed up and let them out again? They didn’t like her and he was pretty sure she returned the feelings. Especially after last night. What would she do if she got them alone?
And what about someone from the neighbors’ place? He had vivid memories of the first time he’d seen Charley’s thugs. And you better control those f’ing mutts if you don’t want ‘em hurt. Or dead. The dogs were sure to guard their home.
Nothing he owned was worth their lives. His mind was made up. “Come on, guys. Let’s go to town.”
Kevin entered the pawnshop and looked around. Two men were working behind the counter, including the man who’d sold him the guns. The man Kevin wanted to talk to was dealing with a customer so Kevin wandered around while waiting. He was drawn to the tools but didn’t see anything he needed. He drifted to the gun display, not that he was planning on buying another.
The customer left with his new to him amplifier. The shop proprietor walked down the counter to where Kevin was browsing. “How ya doin? Ya lookin fer a gun?”
“Un, no,” Kevin said, turning and looking at the man.
With a piercing gaze at Kevin, the man said, “No, I spose not. Let’s go to the end of the counter.” The words were accompanied by a head bob in the direction he wanted Kevin to go. They stopped where it’d be difficult for anyone to hear their conversation.
“I wanted to give you the rest of the money I owe you,” Kevin said, holding several bills out.
The man didn’t take it, instead, studying Kevin. “I see you’re packing. But it might not be enough.”
“What, why?” Kevin asked, confused.
“I keep my ear to the ground and I’ve been hearing some things. Yeah, didn’t get sprung, but from what I hear, ya might have worse problems. By the way, I mentioned to Sis that I saw ya. She sends her regards.”
“Worse problems? What’re you talking about?”
The man’s forehead crinkled as he scrutinized Kevin. “I hear ya got new neighbors.”
Kevin was taken aback. “How would you know that?”
“As I said, I keep my ear to the ground. And it might surprise ya, but I make contact with a few unsavory folks.”
It didn’t surprise Kevin. The man didn’t look all that respectable himself. “So what are you hearing?”
“Let’s just say them ain’t a bunch of Boy and Girl Scouts what moved in by ya and leave it at that. And I think ya need a backup, a pocket gun.”
“I’ve already got a pistol.”
“Yeah, fer now. But ain’t ya ever heard, if ya got two, ya got one. If ya got one, ya got none. Somethin happens, ya could be without that piece.” He pointed at Kevin, directly at his concealed pistol. “Tell ya what. I got another pistol I’ll give ya fer what I paid. It’s easier hid, but close up, packs a helluva wallop.”
“I really don’t need another gun.”
The man’s piercing look seemed to weigh and measure Kevin and read all his thoughts. “Believe me, ya do.”
Kevin left the pawnshop with less money than he’d planned and his pocket weighted down. Rather than go to the thrift store, he drove to the gun store and bought more ammo. Of course, the new pistol was in a different caliber than the pistol he already had. From there he went to the gun range. There was no point in owning a gun if he wasn’t familiar with it.
Dave was there and walked Kevin through the pistol, the care and firing of it. Then he set Kevin up to get some shooting in and familiarize himself with it. Kevin noted Deputy Johnson was there again, her shots perfectly fired. He nodded to her and took the stall two over from her. After placing his ammo on the bench, he opened his cell phone, scrolled through it, and set it beside the ammo.
Loading the gun, he fired several times, reloaded, and fired again. He missed the target when it was at the end of the range. With each shot, he brought the target closer until it was at a range he could consistently hit it. As the pawnshop man had indicated, it was a close-range pistol.
Kevin pocketed his spent brass and the pistol, gathered his phone and remaining ammo, and turned to go. Deputy Johnson gave him a nod which Kevin returned as he went past her.
Jack and Jill were beyond excited when he got back to the truck. Smiling he scratched their ears and then pushed them away. “Yeah, I missed you guys too, now let me in.”
When he was situated with his seatbelt on, Kevin checked his watch. There was still time to hit at least one thrift store before heading home. “Tell ya what guys. We’re gonna make one more stop then we’ll go home. We’ll go for a nice walk when we get there.”
Jill flicked her tongue out, giving him a slurpy across the face.
“Easy,” he said, wiping his face and then shaking his head.
Kevin made the short drive to the nearest thrift store, parked, and went inside. He went first to the tool area. There was nothing he needed or even wanted very bad. As he made his way to the section where jars and storage containers would be if any were to be had, he stopped in his tracks.
Racks of clothing were hung, racks he customarily walked past. On the end was a Filson wool vest. He’d wanted one for a long time but couldn’t justify the cost. Figuring it was a futile gesture, he checked the tag, then checked again, making certain he’d read right. Not believing the price, he removed the vest from the hanger and tried it on. It fit perfectly. Even with the pistol and shoulder holster. He put it back on the hanger and checked the price one more time. He didn’t return it to the rack.
He stood there, thinking of various prep sites he’d read. Along with the three B-s, many recommended extra, durable clothing. Looking down the rack with new awareness, he saw many items he could use. Especially clothing for working outside, being exposed to hot and cold. Moving from section to section, he made mental notes of several items he’d come back and check for later. Two weeks later, after his next payday. As it was, after buying the pistol and ammo, the vest was all he could afford.
But he did continue to the area he’d been heading for. There were no canning jars. There was another popcorn tin. He could still afford it. He laughed at himself. But I can’t afford the sack of beans I was going to buy to put in one. Next payday.
He paid for his purchases, still amazed at the price on the vest, and left the store. The dogs were as happy to see him as they’d been when he returned to the truck at the gun range. They greeted him with a slurpy on each cheek.
When Kevin arrived home, he was pleased to see the moving van was gone. Hopefully, the thugs had all left with it. Not all of them, he told himself. Charley’s SUV was still there. Cindy’s sports car was gone. Is it too much to hope he went with her?
Kevin got a bucket and went to the chicken pen, wondering what he’d find. The hens were in the run, scratching and pecking away. They had enough food and water he didn’t need to do anything with them until the next day. He went inside and ducked into the coop. His face broke out in a wide smile when he looked in the nest boxes. Six eggs.
He went to the house, looking at the garden as he passed. There was time to start the water but he didn’t plan to stick around and monitor it. It could wait until morning. He’d promised his pals a walk. He put the egg bucket beside the sink and went back outside.
“Okay, let’s go. You know, despite getting new neighbors, this was a pretty good day. We got to spend time with Janice. We finished the peas, got corn and the berry vines planted. Paid off my debt. Found a great vest. Got to spend a lot of time with you. This was a pretty darn good day.”
He felt the weight of the new pistol, recalling the conversation with the man at the pawnshop. Looking at the quiet home next door, he added, “We better savor every good day we get. God only knows how many more we’ll have in the near future.”