Merriton

“Um, Randy… I need your help.” The hulking frame of James Sebastian leaned on his car while Randy removed “Vote for Angie” signs. James took a load as well and they both headed into Mt. Zen Cafe. “Sure, what’s up?” Randy smelled the fresh food cooking in the back room. He scanned the restaurant. Roscoe’s team had dwindled down to just him and Kevin. The two of them were as deep in conversation as the snow they had to manage on the mountain. He looked for Angie and Curly. All he had done for Angie and he had still never heard Curly say a word to him. The two of them unloaded the signs in the corner of the room and headed back outside.

“I’m tryin’ to do that projects thing, but it’s not workin’. I was hopin’ you could help me or somethin’.” Randy’s focus turned back to James. Randy shook his head and started filling his arms with the remaining signs. “The only reason I did the projects last year was because Kevin and Bree were part of the team and they were used to it. You can run your farm however you want.” James followed Randy back into Mt. Zen. “But…” He uncomfortably stood in the restaurant while Randy carefully placed the signs in the corner. Angie and Curly were still no where to be found. He looked at the large, blond man and watched his scar quiver on his lips. “What is it?”

James looked lost and scanned the room. He walked over to Kevin. “Hey Roscoe. Hey Kevin…” He stood there and fidgeted. “Kevin, last year with the projects. It was good, wasn’t it?” Kevin looked at James. Randy noticed Kevin focus on James’ scar. “Yeah. I love projects. I was kind of busy last year with the snow, but it was a good thing to work on when I was snowed in.” Roscoe looked at the large farmer. “Is this that thing where you invented the Snow Eater?” James nodded. “Yeah, I think we should do it again this year.”

Kevin looked over to Randy. “Yeah, you haven’t mentioned anything about the projects this year. We’re going to have it, aren’t we?” Randy looked at the three men. All of them looked expectant and eager. “None of you work for me.” Roscoe stood up. His long thin frame expanded beyond the top of James’ head. Randy saw Curly’s head peek out of the kitchen pass-through window and their eyes locked for a moment. Roscoe finally spoke. “I’ve been thinking about my project since last year. When’s the deadline?” The horsey man looked over at Kevin. “Last year it was in April, wasn’t it? I think that gives me enough time.”

Randy felt like everything was spinning out of control. He watched Curly come out of the kitchen and head toward them. Randy struggled to speak, “I…” He couldn’t think while Curly was heading toward him. The big guy smelled like the bacon and eggs that he was cooking and stood in the group with his muscle-bound arms folded across his chest. Randy looked from face to face. Kevin had stood up it felt like all four of them were surrounding him. Randy focused on Kevin’s face. “Do you think we should do the projects this year?” Kevin nodded. “Heck yeah.”

Curly looked him square in the eye and said, “I know just what I’m gonna do.”