Роберт Уилсон - Days Since... - Jenny - Day 986

“Running late today, Jenny?” A middle-aged man took the bucket from her with a gloved hand and set it on the table between them. “You, Rita, and…”—he pushed his spectacles up the bridge of his nose then tapped his wax pencil down the clipboard, searching his list—“and Tony are the last ones I need for the day.”

“Well, I have Rita’s there, too.”

He eyed her suspiciously, looking into the bucket, swirling its contents.

“It’s all there.” It’s all there? It’s not a suitcase of money. It’s piss, Lars, no one’s trying to steal it. Get a grip.

“It does look like a pretty good amount.” Lars must’ve believed her because he checked two boxes and set the list on the table. He brought his glasses back toward the tip of his nose. “Grant told me you weren’t feeling too good. Time for a break? Any way you’d cut that cowboy stuff out and join us? He said you’re pretty handy with a set of tools.”

“I’m not sure I’m ready for all that.” Jenny flicked her hands toward the yellow tank. “You guys can have it.”

“May not look like much, but that urine’s pretty important.”

Jenny’s face slumped into a mixture of disbelief and disgust.

“I mean it. Once there’s enough, we’ll boil it, turning it into water and urea. We’ll use the water for whatever, but the urea.” He shook his pointed finger. “The urea can be used to make fertilizer and”—he lowered his voice—“a pretty nasty explosive.”

“I’d like to help with that.”

“I bet you— Tony! Just the man I was looking for,” he called out. “Thanks, Jenny. I’ll let Grant know you said hi.”

“Thanks. I’ll make sure to get my replacement bucket after I eat.”

“I know you will.”

On the adjacent table, Jenny grabbed a bowl, spoon, and cup for breakfast. One of the cooks took a jug of water from near the fire and poured her some. “Thanks,” Jenny said, but she eyed it warily. No hint of yellow. With those two stations so close together, she always checked just to be sure.

With the next cook in line, Jenny held out her bowl, and the woman ladled in some of the stew. “Deer and potatoes,” she said before adding a touch more and winking. “Nice job yesterday.”

With a slight grin, Jenny nodded. “Thank you.”

Balancing the soup and the water within their vessels, she teetered over to the lawn chairs encircling one of the burn barrels. Several conversations rose and fell around her. Voices loud and low, but for the most part respectful of one another. Some looked to Jenny as she sat in one of the empty chairs, but most ignored her, respecting her habit of never sharing her own stories. Instead, she filled her mind with their words and her belly with the stew. This stew is pretty good. A tug at her coat. Closing her eyes, she muttered, “Damn it,” thinking of only one person to ruin this. Griffin.

“What?” Matt asked.

Pleased at the sound of a friendly voice, Jenny turned in her seat. “I didn’t say anything.”

“Uh-huh…” Matt rolled his eyes. “You feeling better yet?”

“Yes.” She said it firmly, although it was a borderline lie—too much still consuming her mind. At some point, she would have to tell him about the baby. He deserved to know. Still not the right time.

“Stew’s good.” Matt took a seat next to her.

“It is. Especially because we made the kill.”

“ You made the kill,” he stressed.

“Wouldn’t have been able to do it without you guys. We’re a team. Well…” She rolled her spoon through the stew. “I hope we’re still a team, but I haven’t heard from Danny yet.” She looked to Matt for something, any tidbit. “You know anything?”

“Danny was impressed with your kill. Even talked you up a bit.”

“What?!” The rise in her voice caught the attention of a few others around the fire. Jenny stopped talking to allow some of the eavesdroppers a chance to consider another conversation to take interest in. “What did he say?” she whispered.

“Well…” he stretched the word out just enough to annoy her.

“Out with it, Matt.”

“He said he was proud of you. Probably only said it out loud cause you wouldn’t be able to hear it,” Matt joked.

“What exactly did he say?” Her voice had an urgency to it.

“Said you hesitated a little but got the shot off then tracked the deer.” Matt took a breath before continuing, “Someone else tried to say that tracking it in the snow wasn’t a big deal, you know, trying to make it sound like anyone could do it. But Danny—”

“Who said that?” Jenny interrupted with a fierceness.

“Don’t remember.” Matt’s eyes didn’t meet with hers.

“Matt?” she pressed him.

“Doesn’t matter. Danny stuck up for you. Said the other guy hadn’t bagged meat in like 4 months. You should’ve seen his face when Danny said that . He shut up quick.”

Jenny laughed, bringing back some of the same stares from earlier, which caused her to shut down again.

“Why do you get like that?”

“Like what?”

“Like that. You act differently here. This place has changed you or at least while you’re actually here in the walls. When we’re out on a scout, it’s usually normal Jenny. Then, back here it’s—”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Jenny gulped her soup down and shifted from the seat.

Matt squeezed her arm before she turned completely. “Hey…”

Jenny brushed it off, speaking over her shoulder, “I’ve got the daily checks to do until I’m told otherwise.”

“You don’t have to—” He scurried after her, shoveling the last bit of stew into his mouth. “Hey, come on…” Both of their bowls and utensils rattled in the bus pan. “Just…” Matt tried again, but she continued on her way. “Please, Jenny.”

“What?”

“Just give me a chance to talk to Danny and see what the plan is.”

“What plan?” Danny asked from in the soup line, both his hands readying his bowl for a portion of the stew. “You guys planning something?”

Jenny nudged Matt. “Go on. Tell him,”

Danny chuckled. “I think I already know, and I’ve already decided what I want to do.”

I figured as much. Expelling a curt breath, she waited for the people in front of Danny to carry their bowls off toward the fire. “Really, Danny?” Her annoyed tone slipped out, but at least she had kept it at a whisper. “I can’t believe—”

“I didn’t say either way yet.” He took a bite. “Don’t jump to conclusions.”

Jenny drew in a deep breath, sucking in the hope from those words. “Well…?”

“Come on, Danny,” Matt urged. “After downing that deer, you’re gonna keep her from this? She’s clearly able.”

“Like I said, I already made my mind up. I’m going to enjoy Jenny’s kill right here then maybe, just maybe, I’ll let you know.”

The smug look on Danny’s face dug under her skin. “Danny—”

“Get started on your checks.”

“So. There’s my answer.” Jenny nodded slowly, biting sharply into her bottom lip. “Alright…” She brushed past Matt, shuffling off toward the back of the Garden Center along another concrete path carved in the snow.

He told you no, and you took it. That’s what you just said you wouldn’t do. She drew in a sharp breath. Tell him you’re not doing the daily checks. Tell him you’re doing sentry duty or remaining on the scout team. You’re not taking no. Not today. Her steps slowed to a stop. For a moment, she watched Danny as he took his bowl and sat by himself on the edge of a raised garden bed. I’d better do it now before other people start to gather around him. Nervously, Jenny made her way back over to Danny.