What Would Happen If We All Went Away?

CHAPTER 9: UNKNOWN

(three days before the burning)

“What I would do for a butt right now, got any of em’?” 

I swear to all good things in this world. Martin is absolutely insane. 

“What the hell are you thinking Martin? You already had a warnin’ for mouthin’ off to the boss, why in Saint Mary would you want to smoke? We are on the clock anyway.” I said in anger. He’s really out here trying to lose his job.

“Aodhan, you gotta keep ya flappers to yaself, we wouldn’t of been caught If ya keep ya damn mouth shut. Anyway, heard around that the McCarthy girl is goin’ to get a jump. What say ya?” 

Rose? Why in the hell would they want her gone? Her land? Not much left after her grandfather sold half of it. I’ll have to check this out later. Wonder how Martin heard, probably cause of the hairdressers, always making a fuss.

“Jesus Mart- where have you heard such nonsense? You gotta stop eavesdropping on them gossiping neighbors, all they want is trouble.” 

I couldn’t sound like I cared, didn’t want to send the wrong message. Could get her killed. 

“Just wanted to let you know, since you bin hangin’ out with her for awhile, after the storage shipments. Seems you two been gettin’ pretty cozing.”

At this point I’m ready to kill him.

 “Keep ya damn mouth shut Martin, I’ll slap you so hard ya face will rotate in the opposite direction. Just shut it.”

    I left the storage room in a huff, wanting to seem annoyed. Rose was the only thing important to me. I will not let her get killed. 

    I work at the lumber mill near the river. The mill itself has been here since the town was founded 30 years ago, made solely for the survival purposes of the town. When my Father and I moved here, the Shelby’s were kind enough to give us a job at the mill, roof over our heads. More than what most of dem’ gave us anyway. My Father died two winters ago, 1921. We outlived most of the pandemic but it struck him at his old age, and with our lack of food it took him quickly. 

My whole life was at the mills, and of course at the McCarthy’s house.