Charlie and Kimberly had a good marriage. He was a 48 year old farmer with salt and pepper hair. She was 41 and had long red hair and sharp blue eyes. They rarely fought about anything but money became a more frequent topic.
Charlie was used to the old way he learned from his father who left him his farm. He tried to live off the land, and barter with his closest neighbors which were also farmers when he could.
He did very well at it. Kimberly stated through the years that she was fond of vacations she had before marriage. She would remark constantly that money is important to have even if you barter for most things.
She was from a bigger city, and settled for Charlie in her early 20s.
They had a son Jake, who was 20, and a daughter Sherry who was 18. Jake had dark black hair like his father once did. Sherry was a stunning blonde. They all tended to the farm, and seemed to be happy. Both hated the idea of college, though they were bright, and studied what they were interested in.
It was early morning, and they all sat around the table for breakfast. Charlie stirred his coffee, and looked at his plate. His wore a long red plaid shirt and blue jeans.
Like he often did, Jake waited for his sister to reach for the maple syrup so he could quickly grab it away from her and place it on the other side of the table. As she reached for it, he quickly grabbed for it, and squeezed it harder than he expected. The syrup shot from the top and covered her white t-shirt and hand.
Dripping from her chest onto her short blue shorts. As he started to laugh, Sherry immediately started slapping him in the chest.
As this continued Kimberly never made a smile or a comment. She was a bit troubled. She wore a pink tank top and a silk robe to cover her legs. She liked the feel of the robe, and was modest about wearing panties to the table.
"Stop" said Charlie. "We have a problem, and your mother and I have tried to work it out, but have no solution."
"What's the problem Dad?" said Jake.
Kimberly interrupted as he started to talk. "We have no money" She stated as she gave Charlie a cold stare.
Noticing the cold stare her mother was giving, Sherry asked "What do we need money for?"
Charlie lowered his head and spoke up. "The taxes are due again. I have no means to pay them this year. I was able to sell some things from the barn last year, but I have no solution. I have 3 days to pay or the farm is property of the county."
Sherry pushed her pancakes away and licked her hand. She seemed to be the least worried among them.
Jake asked "So what can we do?" As they all sat quiet, Sherry replied. "Call uncle Harry."
Charlie's brother Harry went a different route from farm life. He liked to frequent bars and was a gambler. This meant he sometimes had money, and sometimes had debt, but he always had connections.
After a long quiet stare between the four of them, Charlie got up from his chair and made his way to the landline phone still mounted in the kitchen. As he made the call the rest of the family watched him. As he repeated his brother's name several times before asking him to come over.
Kimberly looked at Jake. "He's still at a bar I'm sure," she said.
Knowing work still had to be done, they all finished getting dressed and started in the field. 2 hours later a Mercedes pulled down the dirt road leaving the dust flying. It was Harry. As he greeted his brother and made his way into the house.
Kimberly, Sherry and Jake looked slightly optimistic. Finishing up and heading back to the dinner table.
Nobody else greeted him as they sat down at the table. It was quiet and awkward for a few minutes before Jake asked. "So what's the deal uncle Harry?"
Harry replied "Well I went to the tax assessor's office. Somebody bought the place for the taxes owed. You have 3 days left to reclaim it, unless you come up with 5 grand. Sadly to say, I don't have it, or know where to get it Jake."
"Where did you get the car?" said Jake.
"I have an acquaintance that loaned it to me." said Harry.
Jake replied "That's why we called you. You know a lot of people that you wouldn't call a friend. You couldn't ask around?"
Harry looked at his cowboy boots for a second. "I've had only the lowest people offer me anything."
Getting a bit angry this time, Jake asked "There's something you aren't saying. What would you have to do to come up with the money?"
Harry still looked at his shoes. "There's nothing that I can do."
Charlie spoke up this time as everybody looked confused. "Spit it out Harry!"
He finally looked up and looked everybody in the eye one by one. "Okay. I know a guy. He's a bad person. He's an old man that loaned me this car. His name is Donald and he doesn't speak to anyone. He has a guy that does his dirty work named Mr. Stein. He said he wants to see all four of you to make you an offer. I suggest you find another way."
Harry paused for a minute and looked at Charlie who was obviously interested.
The big house on route 19. He will see you at 4 pm." He then exited his chair and left without saying a word.
Knowing which house it was, and knowing there was no other way, they all got in the car. It was a quiet ride there. It was 3:45 when they pulled up to the house. A tall black man met them at the door.
"I'm Mr Stein. Donald is waiting for you."
As they walked in, the house seemed bigger on the inside that the outside. He led them down a hallway and paused. Pointing to a dark room with blue velvet couches and a large mirror wall.
