Not a bad bone in her body. That’s what the people of Midway, Missouri, said about her. Not a one.
Of course, Alberta Leigh Bloomfield knew better than that. She would never make such claims about herself. In fact, the pleasure she got from knowing that people considered her to be so good, that in and of itself was a “bad bone” so to speak. And beyond all that, if she did do a good thing now and then, well, that was the work of the Lord, not herself. She was just grateful to be a part of His plan. When she walked into MHE Pharmacy that morning, Alberta Leigh Bloomfield remembered feeling a profound sense of belonging.
“Good morning, Mrs. Bloomfield,” said Michael Henry Edward with the deep roll and slight drawl you’d expect from a dignified southern man with three first names.
“Good morning to you,” returned Alberta. “Truly, it is.” And it was. “Praise the Lord.”
“Yes, ma’am. Donny should have your order ready. Just a moment.” Michael Henry Edward ringing a bell and giving her an exaggerated wink. “Quite a sermon yesterday.”
“It surely was. Makes you wish there were more people in the pews, though. The whole world ought to know about the good Samaritan.”
“Well, you keep up all of your projects, and I’m sure they will.”
Alberta, always awkward with compliments, turned away. “If it’s the will of the Lord.”
“Amen.” Wink. The clock ticked a time or two. “Oh, I’ve been meaning to ask as you something. Who does your butchering? Harold?”
Alberta nodded. “Yes.”
“Oh good. Me, too. See, I was wondering about a little hog swap. Miss Porkerton is ready to meet her maker, but I don’t have the heart to, you know. The moment Sarah named her, I knew we were in trouble. I was thinking, if you had one ready for the butcher, you all might be willing to trade animals. You see?”
“Oh goodness! Yes, I’ll talk to Harold. We had the same thing when we butchered old Chub Bubs. First time I’ve ever tossed bacon—”
“Isn’t that funny? You do it countless times, but when it has a name, well, it’s a different matter all together.”
“Bless their little hearts.”
“I knew you’d understand. I mentioned it to Donny, and he laughed in my face. Said he’d be glad to do the job. Said he names every deer he ever shot right before he shoots him. He’s onto Bambi XXIV.”
And suddenly, Alberta had one of those involuntary memories of little Donny holding the limp body of Sneaks, the Home’s cat, with a rope around its—
“I’m so sorry,” said Michael Henry Edward. Alberta’s discomfort must have been showing on her face. “I didn’t mean to upset you. Here, cough drop on the house.” Wink.
“I do enjoy a wild cherry now and then.”
“Amen.” Michael Henry Edward handed her a drop from the cough drop jar. “Just a moment, and I’ll see what’s going on in the back.” Wink. “Donny!?” Michael Henry Edward went to the back to the closet. Alberta politely browsed the non-prescription pain killers and chapsticks thinking about what a kind-hearted man Michael Henry Edward truly was. Quality. Such a shame, the thing with his daughter. Of course, as a man of the Lord, he had to do it. She proclaimed it all out loud, in public. And the Lord says, anyone who loves a son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Michael Henry Edward couldn’t let that sin slide. Especially since some people had said the same thing about Michael Henry Edward himself when he was younger. But then here he is, married with a child, albeit a now estranged one. And he’s sensitive, sure. But you can’t argue with married! That’s the thing about gossip. Only God knows the truth, so why speculate? Alberta, of course, didn’t have much use for speculation of that sort.
Michael Henry Edward reappeared. “Alberta, I’m gonna have to sincerely apologize. Looks like Donny didn’t show for work today.”
“Oh dear. Why do you suppose?”
“I tell ya. I try and try with that kid, but there’s a point where you can’t do any more. Then again, it leaves me in a jam. Who else can learn it? Of course, I used to think, well…you can probably imagine. And after all that, there was the Wilkins boy—who really is a fine boy.” Alberta nodded in agreement because he really was. Always helped her with the groceries. Volunteered on weekends. “But he moved to Chicago the day after graduating.”
Alberta shook her head. “Now there’s the trend that I just don’t get. Can you imagine? Moving to a place where you could look in your neighbor’s window?”
“Where you can’t see the Big Dipper.”
“And where people looking down on you for saying something true in the wrong way.”
“When most of ‘em probably couldn’t milk a cow to wet a Cheerio.”
“Most of ‘em are vegan anyway.”
“Ha. Well, I doubt they could shuck an almond either.”
They took a moment to laugh, and then each felt a tad guilty. Neither were the type to be too hard on people. “Bless their hearts.”
“Bless their hearts.”
“Anyway, I can get your prescription for you now, if you have ten minutes.”
“Oh, I suppose the orphans aren’t gonna run off to Kansas City in the next ten minutes.”
Michael Henry Edward went to the back closet, but propped the door and kept talking. “You know what it is? I think it’s just values changing. And I know every generation says that, but with the internet and all of this—I think it’s especially pronounced. Just seems like common sense and work ethic is being driven out by cat videos and memes, you know what I’m saying? I was just talking to old Joe Cunningham. He’s having the same trouble at the feed store.”
“Kids are just fleeing real work for this virtual world. But where do they think their food is gonna come from?”
“Right. Who’s gonna take care of them when we go to the Lord, huh? Mario and Luigi?”
“Now, let’s not get too bleak. We just gotta stick it out and see what He has in mind.”
“Oh of course, Alberta. Positive as always. And absolutely right. Meantime, you have any oprhans who wanna job? How old is ole Benny Jackson?” Wink.
Alberta laughed. “Maybe in ten years.”
“Well, I can’t keep trying the same thing over and again—that’s the definition of insanity. And it’s not doing Donny any favors either. Gotta build a little character in the boy. I’m gonna give him a quick call, and then I’ll get your prescription.”
“That’ll work.”
Seeing as Michael Henry Edward was deep in the closet, Alberta was the first to see the Syrian woman walk into MHE Pharmacy.
“Oh, hello,” Alberta said, smiling and glancing subconsciously at the woman’s purse, wondering how big a bomb actually was. And then feeling guilty for wondering. She wasn’t racist. “Mr. Edward, you have another customer.”
The woman nodded quietly. Alberta stepped to the side, so she could approach the counter.
“Just a moment.” He emerged. “Oh, hello. What can I do for you?”
“I was wondering if you were hiring,” the woman said, pronouncing each word perfectly.
“Oh,” said Michael Henry Edward. “No, I’m afraid not.”
“Mr. Cunningham, at the feed store, thought you might be.”
Michael Henry Edward frowned politely. “I’m sorry, ma’am. Mr. Cunningham was mistaken.”
“Do you know anywhere else that might be hiring?”
“I’m afraid not,” answered Michael Henry Edward. “Lean times, you know.”
“I’ve been told,” said the woman. And this time, Alberta could detect an edge in her voice. “My daughter and I arrived in the area a month ago. They settled us in Hills County. But I haven’t found work there, either.”
“Lean times,” said Alberta.
The woman turned to her. “Do you have a daughter?”
Alberta hadn’t been asked that question in a long time. She stuttered a bit. “Oh, well…”
“She has plenty of daughters and sons,” interceded Michael Henry Edward. “She runs the Children’s Home. Raised half the county.” Wink.
“And you don’t need help?”
“I’m afraid not, but uh…” she said, but automatically raising her inflection at the end of her sentence. Normally she could easily finish the sentence: but she could help in some other way; but she could make some calls, ask around; but the woman could come over for dinner. But—
“But maybe you could try Westville. Next town over,” interceded Michael Henry Edward. Mercifully.
“We went there yesterday,” said the woman. “Lean times.”
“I see. Hm. What a pickle,” said Michael Henry Edward. “Is there anything else I can do for you?”
“No,” said the woman, but she didn’t leave.
Michael Henry Edward shifted his weight. “Working a pharmacy requires a lot of skills. In the US, there are certifications that you have to get–”
“I understand that. I am willing to learn.”
“They’re complicated—“
“I was a doctor.”
“And really, we are a small town, so we don’t need more than one—“
“Then I can assist in other ways. I’ll do anything. Dust. Sweep. Stock.”
“Well, but then we’re back to the matter of me just not needing anyone at the moment. Lean times and all. You understand?”
“Lean times,” said the woman, with just a crack in her voice. “I understand lean times.”
“Oh,” said Alberta, suddenly realizing how she could help. She began reaching in her purse, thinking of how it was always ok to help the needy, particularly women. Especially women like her. After all, women in that culture were heavily oppressed. “Maybe you need some gas mon—“
“Hold up a second,” said Michael Henry Edward, reaching across the counter to stop the transaction. “We’re not a nation of handouts. Gotta build character.”
And at just that moment, Donny Williams burst through the door.
“What’s all this about ‘needing to talk.’ I was sick. You can’t fire me!”
“Donny—“ started Michael Henry Edward, glancing at the woman.
“I see,” said the woman.
Donny stared at her. “Who’s this? You’re not hiring her! Town voted! It’s an official resolution!”
“I see,” said the woman, louder.
Michael Henry Edward and Alberta exchanged looks, but neither found words.
“Damn right you better see,” said Donny. “Better see yourself right out of here.”
“Donny—“ started Michael Henry Edward.
“Don’t get soft of me,” said Donny. “This is a matter of life and death. Jesus H. Christ!”
“Donny! There’s a lady present,” said Michael Henry Edward, “Please.”
“Sorry, Mrs. Bloomfield. You can see that I’m just a little heated is all. I’m sure you understand. What with everything happening in the world today, it’s just a little discomforting to see a terrorist taking my job–”
“Excuse me?” said the woman. She looked almost surprised that she said it. She even took a step back. But then she regained her footing and looked him in the eye. Somehow resolved.
“I said, it’s a little dis-com-for-ting to see a terrorist taking my job,” repeated Donny. “Why don’t you go back and mess up your own country? We like ours how it is.”
Alberta Leigh Bloomfield began thinking about the kids, who probably needed her quite badly by now. Benny was always grumpy if he didn’t get her cereal right after she woke up…She never should have agreed to wait. That was her mistake.
“I wish I could,” said the woman.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” said Donny, taking a step toward her. The woman moved away, deeper into the store.
“It means, I’ve never met such people in my life,” said the woman. “Cold, soft cowards.”
“Cowards?” said Donny.
“Now hold on just a second,” said Michael Henry Edward. “Let’s not start name-calling here. We’ve been nothing but courteous—“
“Nothing but courteous. Exactly. You are nothing but courteous. But there’s a difference between being nice and being kind.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” said Donny.
“I don’t think I can explain it to you,” said the woman. She turned to Michael Henry Edward. “And I have to question your hiring skills,” she said.
Donny blocked her way. “You don’t think you can explain it to me? You think you are better than me?”
“Ma’am,” said Michael Henry Edward, “I think it might be a good time to leave.”
“Where do I go?” she asked with such desperation that Alberta had half a mind to invite her to the Home. But she couldn’t do that—
“I have to provide for my daughter! I will do what it takes.”
“Is that a threat?” asked Donny.
“Now, Donny,” said Alberta—though she couldn’t think of a way to end the sentence. “Donny, just—“
“Just what?” asked Donny. “Did you not hear her threaten me?” He turned his attention back to the woman.
The woman turned to Mr. Edward. “Mr. Edward, do you have a daughter?”
Donny smiled with narrowed eyes. “Do you?” Mr. Edward.
“No.”
“What Mr. Edward has is a good sense of community,” said Donny. “Mr. Edward has his priorities straight. Don’t you?”
“Donny—“
“I tell you what. She wants the job so badly? Let’s give it a trial run. I can vet her. Show her the ropes.”
“Oh—“ said Alberta. The word came out involuntarily.
“Mrs. Bloomfield, with all due respect, don’t you think the Home needs you?” asked Donny. “You’ve been held up long enough, but I’d be happy to deliver the meds to you this afternoon at the Home, if you’d like. I’ll do it in my lunch break.”
“Oh,” said Alberta again, glancing at Michael Henry Edward. He nodded.
“That’d be just fine with me, Mrs. Bloomfield. No need to wait here.”
“I see,” said Alberta. “But—“
“I tell ya what,” said Michael Henry Edward, “I’ll drive you home. It’s been quite the morning.”
“Oh. Well, then,” said Alberta. “I was just thinking that the Home needed me back by now.”
“Of course. I’m so sorry for this unpleasantness.”
“You know what’s going to happen,” said the woman. Her tone was not afraid. It was sad. Resigned. Alberta paused but did not make eye contact. “I have a daughter. Samara. She’s seven. I won’t walk out of here.”
“I’ll be by later this afternoon,” said Donny. “Trust me.”
“Go on ahead, then Donny,” said Michael Henry Edward. “I’ll be back in a half hour. I expect things will be resolved.”
Alberta Leigh Bloomfield allowed Michael Henry Edward to take her arm and lead her out of the store. She had no other option, really.
And if there were moments when an involuntary memory of that first crack of bone would sneak up on her, well, that’s just the way it had to be. The world wasn’t in her hands. She didn’t walk out of there trusting Donny Williams. She trusted God to work through Donny. It was all part of the plan, even if they couldn’t understand it all. And only God really knows what happened in there—how it all fit together in the grand scheme of things.
Alberta gave Samara’s long dark hair two more gentle brush strokes. “Lean not on your own understanding,” she told herself. It was the most comforting verse of all. She didn’t have to try to understand. She could lean on the Lord. In times like these, what else could anyone do?
