Sample page 14/18
All of them sit quietly sampling the treats until James asks, “Has your dad been trading for a long time?”
“Yeah, for quite awhile. He used to work at a regular job but that company closed down so he started doing this. He says we have enough money to pay our fees to the Sector but not for the other things that we need. Sometimes I don’t like it because we have all these people coming around, but it’s always been okay before,” she starts to choke up again, “before now.”
Jenny moves closer to Sophie and then says in her diminutive voice, “Don’t cry, Sophie, we’ll help you.”
A smile crosses Sophie’s face and she hugs the small girl next to her. “Thank you, sweetie, you’re so nice.” And Jenny beams with grown-up satisfaction at having been able to help out.
“You know, I’ve heard of them taking in others to the security department and then they just wind up letting them go, without doing anything to them. A guy on our street has been taken in twice and nothing ever happened to him,” offers James as more evidence that things will work out for her parents.
Clare slowly sips on her glass of water while pensively gazing in Sophie’s direction. She is slightly worried that Mr. Brannan and his wife may very well have gotten themselves into trouble. She has traded or bought goods from him for over a year with no problems but she has the awareness to know that traders are always walking the line between a necessary reality allowed by the authorities and their need to control the distribution of goods without favoritism or unfairness. Clare hopes that they don’t decide to set an example with the Brannans.
Sophie then stands to carry the plates back into the kitchen. James jumps up to clear the glasses and follows her. Shortly, they both return and James gravitates toward a bookshelf and begins looking through some of the books. Sophie turns toward Jenny and asks her a question. “Would you like to come up to my room? I have some dolls from when I was younger and I could show them to you if you want.”
“Oh, yes, I’d really like to see them. I’m going to go upstairs with Sophie now,” Jenny pronounces to the others. “Mommy, you and James stay down here.”
“Okay, we will,” answers her amused mother. “I’ll make sure that we stay down here.” Clare looks over at Sophie and they exchange broad smiles with each other. The enthusiasm and the excitement of younger children can ameliorate any situation and all are grateful to have Jenny around today.
Dusk is approaching and James moves closer to the window to better see what he is reading. Then hearing the sound of an approaching vehicle, he looks out it and gazes down the street. Very few vehicles move about the city anymore, fuel is solely available for patrols and a few delivery trucks. As it nears, James can distinguish that it is from the security department.
“Mom,” he whispers. “It looks like a security car is coming down the street, maybe it’s the Brannans.” Clare gets up quickly and goes to the window to see for herself.