Chapter 5: The Hardware Store

I found Caleb outside Reichert Hardware at ten past nine with a list in his fist.

He had read the flyer on the walk from the shack, because I had taken a photo and sent it.

His jaw was set so hard a muscle jumped.

"Thirty-one," he said.

"Out of a hundred and forty."

"I'm going to buy a heater, a chain for the shed and a shovel," Caleb said.

"Then I'm going to look my brother in the face."

"Do you want me to wait outside?"

"I want you right next to me."

We went in together.

Reichert Hardware smelled of cut keys, birdseed and wet wool.

There were nine customers inside, most of them in work coats, and every one of them stopped to stare.

Dale stood behind the long wooden counter in a green apron, under a framed photo of himself shaking the mayor's hand.

His smile lit up.

"Well, look who's shopping," he said. "Need a map out of town?"

"A space heater," Caleb said. "A hundred-foot chain, and a snow shovel."

"Right this way."

Dale walked us down aisle three himself, whistling.

He pulled a small electric heater off the shelf.

The tag on the shelf said $49.99.

At the register, he rang it up with a loud, cheerful voice that carried through the store.

"Heater, one hundred forty-seven dollars."

I looked at the tag, then at him.

"The shelf says forty-nine ninety-nine."

"Holiday pricing," Dale said. "Supply chain."

"Chain, a hundred-foot, two hundred and ten."

"The sign says sixty."

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