Bel unloaded the butternut squash from the shipping box. A good load today. She picked one and put it in her own box. She and her husband, Todd, hated taking charity but she could volunteer one day a week at the food bank to pay for her weekly box of food.

When she finished she had to run her box home and put it away before she went to her job at the big box store. She sighed. Todd’s job was hardly better. Neither of them worked full time. She snorted. Yeah, Todd’s job was listed as full time, but they only gave him 32 hours. Short of enough hours for healthcare insurance. His pay barely covered sending the baby to the nursery while they worked. Thanksgiving was coming up. She hoped they’d get more hours to cover the holiday rush.

#

The next week Gail pulled dead squash vines from her garden. It was a gorgeous November morning, the sun shown down out of a cloudless blue sky. She paused to watch a flock of geese fly by.

She felt at loose ends since her last child, Emily, had gone off to college. The house seemed too big after her daughter left. She surveyed the patch. There were quite a few squashes. More than she needed. I should take them over to the food bank. She picked them and put them in her basket.

#

The first rush of customers after the food bank opened was over. Bel got a cup of coffee and let her mind wander as she waited for the next customer. It would be nice if Todd could get a full time job. He works too hard. We hardly ever see each other anymore.  A wave of sadness washed over her as she thought back to when they were dating in high school. She realized it was only a few years ago. She felt so old.

The door opened and a middle aged woman entered carrying a box of vegetables. “Hi. I’m Belle, can I help you?”

The woman nodded as she put the box on the counter. “Hi there. I’m Gail. It’s just my husband and me now. We don’t need everything I grow so I thought I’d donate it.”

Bel peeked into the box. “We appreciate that Gail. We love to get fresh produce. So much of what is donated is canned or processed food.”

“I’m glad I can help then.” Gail looked around the huge room. Several people were unloading boxes and putting canned goods and boxes of pasta and cereal on the shelves. “Are you all volunteers?”

Bel nodded. “Yeah. I have a job but it’s only part time. Same for my husband. I volunteer to pay for my box.”

Gail’s eyebrows rose. “Oh. That’s too bad.”

Bel shugged. “It’s the economy I’m told. No one is hiring. Not for good paying jobs anyway.” She sighed then put on a happy face. “Thank you for the donation. We’ll get it into boxes right away.”

Gail nodded. “You’re welcome. Have a good day.”

On the drive home she couldn’t stop thinking about Bel. How awful for them. I didn’t ask if she had children. Imagine working and still not being able to afford groceries.

That night over supper she talked to her husband, Evan. “I heard the saddest story today.” She proceeded to tell him about Bel.  “Can you imagine? What if that was us, or God forbid, our kids? I should do something.”

He wiped his plate with the last bit of his bread. “What can you do, Gail?”

She stabbed the last green bean on her plate. “I don’t know. But they’re both working and can’t afford food. That’s not right.” She popped the bean into her mouth and chewed, scowling. “What about your place?”

Evan put his silverware on his plate. “What about it?”

“Can’t you hire them? It’s a big factory. There must be something.”

He scratched his head. “I don’t know. We don’t have any openings right now.”

Gail leaned forward. “No janitors needed, material handlers, some sort of low level position that they can take and then get trained for other jobs?”

He sighed. He knew his wife. She’d pursue this until she got what she wanted. “Let me think about it.” He picked up his plate and headed into the kitchen. “I’ll go in tomorrow and look around.”

Gail nodded. “Thank you, honey.”

#

The next Saturday Gail went back to the food bank. She didn’t see Bel. “Hi, I met a young woman here last week, named Bel?”

“Oh yes,” the elderly woman smiled. “She’s in the back. Shall I get her?”

“Please.”

A few minutes later, Bel came out to the counter. “Hi again.”

“Hi. I’m Gail, we met last week.”

“Sure, I remember. Is there a problem?” Bel pushed a lock of hair out of her face and tucked it behind her ear.

“Let’s talk outside,” Gail said. She led the way out of the door and into the parking lot. She faced Bel. “I have some news.”

Bel became wary. In her experience news was always bad.

Gail grinned. “I talked to my husband this week about you and your family. He’s the manager of the factory over on Glebe Street. Do you know it?”

“Yeah,” Bel said. “They make parts for cars, don’t they?”

“Yes, that’s the one.” Gail beamed. “My husband thinks he has a couple of jobs, for you and your husband.”

Bel stared.

“Full time,” Gail added. “It’s low level work, for now. But you could get trained, get promoted to higher paying jobs.”

Bel’s face crumpled. Tears began to flow. “I…I don’t know what to say.”

Gail pulled a tissue out of her purse and handed it to Bel. “Oh my. I’ve botched this completely.”

“Oh no,” Bell sniffled. “I’m happy.” She reached out and took Gail’s arm. “Thank you. Thank you so much!”

Gail hugged her. “You’re welcome.”

The End

993 Words

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