“Let’s see what we can do,” said James, pushing his old chair towards the barn.
The farmer agreed to the package price deal, telling James the price would have been higher if they weren’t friends. He didn’t want all coins, saying “It’s good to have some, but I can’t eat gold, if it comes down to it.”
David bought two steers from James at the same price the restaurant manager had, minus the butcher fee, and the farmer agreed to the rest in coin.
James produced enough silver and gold in coins he always carried to cover the gap.
“We’ll take one truck now. I’ll deliver the two steers tomorrow and get the second one.”
“Agreed,” said the farmer, shaking his hand. “Bring me a case of your best,” he said, giving James back two silver coins.
“Are you sure?” asked David, pulling James aside.
“Sure about what?”
“About covering my debt up-front. I’ll get you the coin as soon as I get home.”
“I know that,” James replied. “Can you drive?”
“Sure thing,” said David, slowly sliding behind the Chevy’s wheel, with a smile as big as Texas.
James almost went home calling it a bad day for the town, but he remembered that age-old tradition of dropping supper off at someone’s home when they were struggling.
* * * *
They stopped by the cafe and quickly got the addresses of the families directly affected by today’s tragedy. It seemed news traveled faster than trucks nowadays.
“I want twenty-two dinners sent to these addresses tonight. Here’s how many go to each address right here,” he pointed to the paper he had written them on. “Can you get them delivered?” he asked the owner.
“Sure. I have a guy does that from time to time. But...”
“But what?” asked James.
“Well, it’s going to be expensive unless I cut back a bit here and there, you know.”
“Full dinners—no cuts—desserts included, and delivered hot in 90 minutes. I’m paying and bringing our entire household here at that time, if you have room?”
“Yes, yes. Of course, we will get right to it. Tonight’s special is homemade meatloaf with my wife’s almost-famous red sauce, mashed potatoes, green beans, with a side salad and dessert. Unless, of course, you would like to order from the menu?”
“No, the specials will be just fine and throw in a roll with each plate. Can you do that?”
“Oh, sure. They’re working on them right now… Who’s it from—you or the town?” asked the restaurant owner.
“Anonymous. Just tell them the town is praying for their families. Put everything on my tab, and I’ll get squared with you tonight. See you soon.”
James wasn’t in a celebrating mood, but a dinner out with family and his old friend David helped to clear his mind.
“Oh, make that two more dinners, for a total of twenty-four,” he said as they were walking out. Send the last two to the hospital for a Mark Jenkins and Calleigh Walters.”
“You’re as devious as me,” said David, laughing. “Mark would kill me if I did that.”
“Young love,” said James, laughing as well. “He will surely thank us for it later, I’ll bet.”
* * * *
David stayed back, visiting with his son until James and Jason returned with the family. The doctors said all looked good and they didn’t expect any more blackouts, calming David’s mind.
“We bought two running trucks today, Mel and I,” he told Mark. “I’ve got one outside right now,” getting an “Awesome, Dad!” from his son.
He didn’t say anything to Mark about the dinners but made sure that Calleigh was going to be working tonight.
“She starts back in an hour, Dad.”
“She told you that?” asked David.
“Yes, Dad. Now stop!” he said, turning red and lowering his voice, “and you need to be gone before she gets here.”
“All right. All right. How are you feeling?”
“A little better. These meds, whatever they gave me, help a lot. Doc said I could leave in another day or two probably but wants me back in a few days, or maybe it was a week, for a checkup.”
“Let me ask you something, Mark. We’ve been up the mountain for a while now, and this is your first time back in any town. What do you think?”
“I think I like living up on the mountain, but it is good to be in town too. I guess I haven’t seen much so far, though.”
“No, you haven’t, but I have. James is taking me along with his family and Jason’s to dinner tonight.”
“Dinner at home?”
“No—out at a real restaurant, the only one open in town.”
“Really? What do they have?” asked Mark.
“Just the usual. I guess the special tonight is homemade meatloaf.”
“With all the sides?” asked Mark.
“Yep.”
“You suck, Dad. I want to go.”
“You have to stay. Doctor’s orders, but I think James ordered you a plate, so don’t spoil your appetite. It should be here in about an hour.”
“Ooh, Calleigh is going to be so jealous,” said Mark. “Tell your friend thank you.”
“Will do buddy; I’ll check back with you tomorrow,” he said, kissing him on the forehead before he could pull away.
“Dad, come on. I’m almost 16!”
“Yes, that’s true, and I almost lost you, my only son. Understand?”
“Yeah. I get it.”
“Good. Now get some rest and I’ll be back in the morning.”
“Dad?”
“Yeah, son?”
“I love you!”
“I love you too,” David said, smiling, with a fist bump before walking out the door.
* * * *
He started down the street, driving slowly and getting a few looks from passersby. It was only about a half city block to the restaurant, and he had some time to kill, driving around a town he had never been to before the day. It’s nice, he thought. I can see why people seem to like it here. He parked and waited outside for his party to arrive.
“Hey, mister,” called an old man from a nearby bench. “You seen Cal? I saw you talking
