“Thank you.  We appreciate it.  And dinner,” Anton said.  He seemed to speak for the group as the rest gave some measure of agreement.

Thomas stepped out of the bathroom, toweling his hair.

“What did you learn in town?”

Though he looked at Gregory, Mary answered.

“There are a few jobs that might work.  A plumber is looking for an apprentice.  It would require someone to move into town, though.”

Thomas sat beside me as Mary spoke.

“The man has his own business and takes calls any time of night.  He has a room in the back of his garage he’d rent out.  He’d be willing to deduct from someone’s wages to cover it.”

“I’ll go,” Bine said as he sat at the table.

“We looked at the room,” Mary said.  “It has a cot in it and nothing else.  No electricity or stove for when the weather gets cold.”

“I’ll manage,” Bine said.

Thomas nodded.

“Anything else?”

“Nothing we thought any one would be interested in.  The library needs some part time help as does the grocery store for stacking shelves at night.  The store might be too tempting.”

I agreed with Mary.  Thomas seemed to as well because he didn’t push either of those options.

“Bine, your wages first need to house you, feed you, and clothe you.  Anything you can spare should return to the pack so we may do the same for all the members,” Thomas said.  Bine dipped his head in agreement.  “And when you need to run, come here.”

With Bine’s contribution and the wages from those working short-term at the yard, we might be able to build up a surplus of supplies.  I finished my fish, brought my plate to the sink and opened the supply cabinet.  I inventoried everything with a frown.  We’d gone through more than half of what Winifred brought with her, and that was without the full pack here.  We needed to plan ahead for meals, portions, and supplies needed.  Having the lake and the old garden would help supplement us but as the pack grew, we would need more.

“Charlene?” Thomas asked from just behind me, making me jump.  “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing is wrong.  I’m only thinking of supplies and lists and what we’ll need over the next few months.”  There were only a few handfuls of oats left for breakfast.  I wondered if Thomas had more cereal hidden somewhere.  “How much did Winifred get for the metal?”

“She was able to buy larger bags of oats, rice, beans, peas, pasta, flour, and sugar.  She also has some spices, a tub of lard, yeast, books, more clothes, blankets, oil lamps, and chocolate chips.”

“Chocolate chips?” I asked, glancing away from the supplies.

“She wants to bake the cookies here with you.”

I wondered what bribe the cookies were for.  I guessed I’d find out soon enough.

“When is she arriving?” I asked.

“She is just leaving now and doesn’t expect to be here for several hours.  She suggests you go to sleep as usual, and she’ll see you in the morning.”

I nodded and moved back to the sink.  Thomas brought over some of the warm water from the stove and filled the tin pot in the trough so I could wash the dishes.  Then he moved to help dry them.  Together, we worked through the dishes everyone brought to us.  When we finished, I turned and found the room cleaned and empty.

Thomas’ hands closed over my shoulders and his thumbs gently rubbed the muscles that I hadn’t thought sore a moment ago.

“Did you enjoy today?” he asked, hesitantly.

I glanced back at him.  He wasn’t the hesitating type.  His gaze searched mine.

“I did.  Why are you asking?”

“I don’t want you to be lonely here, Charlene.  If you’re feeling that way again, tell me.  Please.”

I nodded.  His hands dropped to his sides, and after a moment, he went outside.

*    *    *    *

Winifred had brought eggs.  Dozens of eggs.  And sausage links.  The smell of them as they sizzled in one of the pots made my stomach cramp.  I hovered near the stove, using a fork to turn them.  A few times, I had to yank my hand back as grease popped and spattered.

“Please,” Thomas said again, watching me wince.  “Let me.”

“No, it’s okay.”  I didn’t want to surrender the fork.  As soon as I found one cooked through, it was going to be mine.

He plucked the fork from my hand.  “Mary, pump some cold water for her, please.”  He pushed me toward the sink.

“Bully,” I mumbled as I dragged my feet toward the pump.

Mary grinned and shook her head.  When I got close enough, she started pumping.  I stuck my right hand into the cold water.  There were four red dots on the back and one large one on the knuckle.  I let her pump until my hand grew numb.  Mary didn’t seem to grow tired or mind.

“It’s done,” Thomas said.

I turned and found the men lined up behind him.  They all had plates.  Thomas had a plate, too, already piled with eggs and sausage.  He moved to the table and set the plate down as I tried to hide my disappointment and guilt.  I wasn’t the only one starved for something more than oatmeal, which was what I’d served for breakfast the past week.

I’d almost passed the table to stand at the back of the line when Thomas snagged my hand.  He tugged me to the bench beside him and offered me a fork.  I smiled as I understood he meant to share and quickly sat.  The first bite of sausage made me want to groan.  As I chewed, savoring the salty meat, the men sat at the tables near the main door.  They dug in with enthusiasm.  As usual, Thomas had yet to take a bite.  He sat beside me and watched me.

I finished my sausage and quickly skewered a second.  That one I waved in front of his face.

“If you don’t start eating, there won’t be anything left.”  It was a bluff.  Though my eyes wanted me to eat everything on the plate, my stomach would eventually rebel if I tried.

He smiled and chomped the sausage right off the fork before I could yank it out of the way.  I blinked at my empty tines.  Maybe I was the one who needed to eat faster.

He picked up his fork and started to eat.  He ate slow, sticking to his side of the plate while I vacuumed the food in until my stomach ached.  I set down my fork with a groan.  I’d eaten a bit more than my share.  He pulled the plate in front of him and finished the rest in a few moments.

Then he did something that made me stare.  He licked my fork.  I sat there stupidly as he stood and carried the dishes to the sink.  I was glad for the space.  The rest of the men stood and followed Thomas’ example.  Then, they all made for the door, leaving Winifred, Mary, Ann, and me.

Winifred had collected Ann’s new daughter as soon as she’d arrived.  The two women were still speaking quietly.  Mary and I went to the pump and began washing dishes.

While I dried, I kept looking at the bags of supplies.  There were so many.  I couldn’t wait to dig into them even though I already knew what they contained.

We just finished with the dishes when Winifred said, “Mary, Gregory is waiting for you outside.”

Ann left the room with her daughter, and I watched Mary nod and walk to the door.  Winifred closed the door behind her.

“Ready to bake?”

“We can bake,” I said.  “But I’d feel more comfortable doing it if you would tell me why another bribe is needed.”

Winifred sighed.

“It’s not a bribe, dear.  But I did intend it to be a relaxing activity while we discussed what happened after I left.”

I cringed remembering the fight, my insistence to watch, and my general interference.

“I’m sorry,” I said, sincerely.

“For what?”

“For interfering.  But if I’m going to live here, shouldn’t I act like I’m part of your community, too?  If I don’t, I can’t see ever being accepted.”

Winifred came close and gave me a brief hug.

“You did well interfering.  I’m proud of how you handled yourself and the situation.  I think sending the malcontent away was the best move given the circumstance.”  She stepped away, picked up a bag, and set it on top of the cleared table.