Neighbors by Jerry D. Young Page A

yet.

But that changed quickly. Half a dozen of his neighbors came walking in together, already chatting about the letter. Making sure to introduce himself to those he didn’t know, and re-introducing himself to those he was only on a nodding of the head basis with, Hank went around the room, encouraging everyone to get a cup of coffee or tea, or a cold drink.

Finally he called everyone to attention and asked them to be seated. Never a very good public speaker, Hank hemmed and hawed a bit, but finally got down to business. “Now that you all are aware of who I am, I wanted to thank you for coming. And to tell you I’m scared. Scared of the bird flu that was in the news a few days ago.

“The report stated that there would be quarantines. I’m worried about that. How do we keep potentially infected people out, and get out to get food?”

There was some murmuring and then Pete Gladstone raised his hand and began to speak. “We actually have it pretty easy in the cul-de-sac. Just block the entrance here on Carson Street and people couldn’t get in without traipsing all the way around and going through the woods. And with the ravines… well… that would be difficult.”

“But who would do it? And what about food for that long of a time?” Hank asked.

Rather tentatively Elizabeth Montoya raised her hand. She waited until Hank nodded at her before she spoke. “Juan and I keep a good pantry. But it’s only good for a couple of weeks. What would we do if we couldn’t go out before the food ran out?”

“Just buy more,” said Fred Cummings. “I usually pick up something at the store on the way home, but Hank has a point. I think I’ll buy some extra… Though… more than a couple of weeks…”

“That’s a lot of food just sitting around.” That came from Bren Jackson. “I do okay, but buying up food that might just spoil before it’s needed is expensive.”

“What about a food bank for the neighborhood?” Hank asked then. He’d been waiting for the time to suggest it.

“A food bank?” asked another of the neighbors. “We’re not some group of hardship cases that need a community food bank to make it.” He sounded rather angry at the suggestion. Of course, Henry Block always sounded angry.

“Just for emergencies,” Hank replied. “Like if someone didn’t make it to the store before the quarantine was started. Maybe add some of those masks that are being recommended, too.”

“Yeah. What if we decide to do this and whoever is keeping this food bank decides to keep it for themselves?” Again an angry sounding Henry questioned the idea.

“You wouldn’t do that,” Hank said. “I doubt any of the others would, either.”

“Of course I wouldn’t,” Henry almost shouted. “But…” He looked around, but didn’t continue.

“Well, if you are so high and mighty,” Elizabeth said, “you should be the one to keep it.”

“Hey, now! I’m not…” Henry’s protests fell on deaf ears as several of the others agreed with Elizabeth.

“I vote for Henry to keep the food bank!”

“Henry is the Man!”

“Way to go, Henry!”

Henry frowned, and growled a bit, but sat back in his chair without any further protest. He’d keep the food bank.

“Well, what should we give to the food bank,” Bren asked. “I know what I like, but others might not like it.”

“I think any good, shelf stable food… Canned goods, Mac & Cheese, rice, beans, stuff like that. And the masks,” Hank said quickly. “Things you eat normally. You might be the one that needs a bit to tide them over.”

There was some murmuring amongst spouses and those sitting close to one another.

First to declare themselves was Bren. “Okay. I’m in.” He turned to Henry. “I’ll bring over a box of stuff next time the wife and I go shopping.”

Henry nodded. The others began to follow suit.

Hank was pleased. He decided not to press his luck on expanding the role of the team. “How