"I kept walking. Have you ever done that? Just walk. Just walk and have no idea where you're going? It wasn't a good feeling, but not a bad one either. I felt caged and free at the same time, like it was only myself that wouldn't allow me to feel either great or miserable."
― Markus Zusak, Underdog


"Hot today."

The older man sized up the younger man in the brown T-shirt, jeans and cowboy boots who had strolled into the store gathering snacks. There was nothing about the younger bearded man that was remarkable other than the fact he wasn't from around their part or better yet small town, a town where everyone knew just about everyone.

It was very rare for a white man to come from that direction in which the stranger came and even head back in that same direction in broad daylight. People coming or going from that direction were simply outcast or had property near the river. These families tended to know each other and have known each other whether comingling or not. The story goes far back as the story is remembered or willing to be told.

Receiving no response or acknowledgment that he spoke, it did not deter the store owner from trying to start up a conversation with the stranger.

Old Herschel's store was the central location that serviced the majority of the community who were lucky to own a running vehicle or tractor since it doubled as the nearest gas station.

"News on the radio says it will get hotter. Don't know why we would want to know that. What we really want to know is when we are going to have rain. Rain would be good news to cool things down a bit. Got a lot of domestic disputes when it gets a certain temperature outside. Inside is like an oven. Bad situation all the way around."

Eight bags of potato chips and Three two-liter bottles of soda pop. The older man totaled up the items.

"Will, that be it for you?"

"All I need."

"If chips and soda are all you need, I say you must be a man that either doesn't want much or you have all you need."

The younger man eyed, the older man that stood on the other side of the counter. His eyes were just as blue, but the older man's eyes were milkier towards the center. Cloudy.

"You aren't from around here."

"I'm not."

"You got any relatives?"

"Not here."

"You just walking through?"

"Through the store. Out the door and off your property when I can get my change and receipt."

"What's your name?"

Again there was no instant response and the older man handed over the change and receipt. Placing the items in the plastic bag.

"You may be in the wrong direction if you are going to turn right. Left is probably where you will be most comfortable. Our kind is 10 miles down the road. Right, you are in the colored land."

"Colored?"

"I was a young boy when they were designated to certain areas. You have to consider that." The older man said almost apologetic for what he considered something that he couldn't help.

"Over half century."

"Nothing changed from how I see it. They segregate themselves. The ones that want more and strive for more tend to want to separate themselves from the ones that are still looking for a handout or someone to blame. Any man like yourself making a right is only looking to take advantage of a dire situation or you being taken advantage of, no matter how you look at it someone has a losing hand."

Rick took the change and placed it in his pocket. The bag was offered to him along with the receipt.

"My name is, Herschel. What's your name, son?"

He had paused. He considered not divulging his identity but thought better of it. The last thing he wanted to do was cause suspicion. He had told the woman he was staying with his name was Rick and she seemed to like it based on the broad smile she gave him that morning. He was going to go by the name she preferred. Here he was Rick.

"Rick."

"Well, nice to meet you, Rick."

With the bags in his hands, he made the right and headed on down the road cutting through a couple of fields. Herschel went to the window inside of his store and watched the bowlegged man until he was just a speck and that didn't take long because his vision wasn't it's best. The fella was headed back to the colored territory. Herschel wondered what was his business in that direction.


A/N: Correction/Edit 12/27/2018 10:34pm

I wanted to throw this out there into the fandom. This is going to be kind of crazy and weird and if you aren't used to my depiction than you may want to exit. This Chapter 1 isn't technically the beginning so keep it in your data bank about this interaction. The rest should be as Linear as my Brain will allow. Please bear with me...