MILK AND GUNS

I woke up in the early morning. My muscles ached from the hard work we'd put into digging the grave yesterday. I head into the bathroom where I inspected myself just to make sure I didn't have any scratches or cuts that I hadn't cared to look for last night. I'd been too fucking tired. I found nothing big enough for disinfection to be necessary.

Martin was bossing everyone around in the kitchen and then thanking them way to many times.

I got myself a coffee, without milk of course.

"We're going to clean the stables today, Mack. And after that we might head to your uncles neighbor, do you remember him? And trade some of our eggs for milk."

"Yeah I remember Chris. Does he have cows?"

"No, but he has sheep."

"Alright. Do you need me to come or should i stay here and help clean the stables?"

"Abby and Ryan are doing that." Fred said. "i thought you and I could head to Chris. I think he'd like to see you again, like to know you're doing well."

I nodded in agreement. Chris had been a good friend of my uncles and he'd been over quite a bit. We'd talked for hours, he was a good guy.

"When did you want to leave?"

"Now." Fred said. "If you can."

"Of course." I drained the rest of my coffee and put the cup down. "Where are the eggs?"

"In the shed."

We headed to the shed, on our way there Fred told me that they'd been trading eggs for milk for a while. Made sense. There were two crates of eggs, both filled up with eggs nested in their hay beds. We both took one, before we left Fred slung a hunting rifle over his shoulder.

"Just in case." He said.

It took about half an hour to walk to Chris. About halfway there Fred and I stopped to set the crates down for a minute. Both of our arms and backs were sore from shovelling dirt.

"I should probably tell you now." Fred suddenly said. I looked at him.

"Tell me what?"

"Just dont tell any of the others please."

"Sure, fine." I agreed.

"We're not just getting milk. We're trading some dynamite for guns." Fred looked guilty. I laughed.

"Wheres the big problem?"

"What do you mean?"

"Its smart to have some firearms especially after something like yesterday." I said, explaining myself. Fred nodded but he still looked a bit squeamish. "What is it?"

"Well...Martin and Ryan both really dont like the idea of more guns. When i first told them about it they freaked out. Your uncle liked hunting, being respectful, he didnt like the semi-automatic-."

"Oh you're buying assault rifles?"

"Yeah." Fred admitted. "Chris loved weapons. We're probably going to get two AK-47s, oldies but goldies."

"Yeah, he never liked guns that those. I remeber he told me thats what he didnt like about Chris." I said, recalling the only time my uncle had voiced negativ things about his dear friend. "He doesnt have any hunting rifles we could buy instead?"

"He wants those for himself. They're some special kind." Fred answered. He picked the crate back up. I did the same and off we were again. Off to buy sheep milk and assault rifles.

Chris's golden retriever ran up to greet me barking and yowling in a happy surprise. His name was Willi and he'd been there as long as I could remember, even before the war. We used to visit my uncle. And Chris would sometimes turn up with Willi. I put the crate down to rub Willi behind the ears.

The door opened and Chris stepped out. He saw Fred and then he saw me, on the ground next to Willi. "Howdy!" I called out to him. He rubbed his eyes in disbelief.

"There he is! The accountant!" He answered. I laughed. He crossed the driveway and came up to us. I stood up and shook his hand. Willi continued to jump around my feet, his tongue lolling out of his mouth.

"How've you been, Emmanuel?"

"I've been great, there wasn't any work in the city. I had to come back."

"I thought it might be that way. A shame actually. I hoped they'd get the country up and running again."

"Me too. But hey, makes us all the more powerful as farmers right?"

"Nothing's worth more than good soil." He agreed.

Fred presented the eggs and below the eggs the dynamite. Chris seemed pleased. We head to his garage. We traded crates. Ours now full of guns and sheeps milk and his explosives and eggs.

As Fred inspected the AKs I told Chris about the grey-lions. He said he'd seen a fee, but they hadn't been a problem. Not yet.

"I'm sorry about your horse."

"Yeah me too. He was a good steed." I muttered unhappily. "A very good one."

"If you ever need help, Emmanuel, just ask. If your pest-problem gets worse I can lend you some more guns." Fred turned his head slightly as Chris offered his help. He pretended to still be checking the guns but he was listening in and I knew it. "I dont want anything happening to you, Emmanuel."

"It was nice to see you boys." Chris said as he saw us off. I shook his hand again but he pulled me into a hug. "Come visit me again soon kid; and really, if you need more guns you can ask. I'll lend you some, even if you can't give me anything for it." I thanked him and promised to come by soon.

I kissed Willi good-bye. Then dog and owner disappeared into the house and Fred and I started on our journey home.

"Chris never offered you guns like that, huh?" I asked Fred. He nodded.

"He was always harsh. If we couldn't give him anything, he wouldnt give us the guns."

"So you didnt tell him he can get the dynamite for free in town?" I asked sternly. Fred shook his head.

"We needed the guns Mack. You have to understand that-."

"Yeah but now you have me, i'm telling Chris about the store the next time I'm over there."

"Please don't! We'll have nothing to trade with anymore!" Fred begged. I could understand where he was coming from, I was in the same fucking position. But i wasnt ready to trick Chris the way they were.

"He trusts me, he'll give me guns." I answered.

"And what if you leave again, what then?"

"Then you'll have to find another supplier, Fred." I snapped.

I was angry, angry that id just assisted Fred in a trade that was more of a sneaky robbery.

I didnt say another fucking word to him the whole way home.