Chapter Seven
DEATH VALLEY / June 20, 2013
Tommy Barton found Edgar Bernard's Famous Tomato Stand out in the middle of Death Valley. It wasn't what he expected. Edgar was obviously a drug addict with serious mental health issues. His teeth looked like they would fall out if he sneezed.
"We don't get many visitors out here. Would you like some ice water?" Edgar Bernard offered.
"Sure. Thank you." Tommy said before he realized he didn't really mean it. He was thirsty, alright, but suddenly every horror movie he'd ever seen flashed before his eyes. He held the glass of water and hoped for an opportunity to dump it without being seen.
"Most of our business is done by UPS." Edgar pointed to a stack of boxes by the door. "They'll be here any minute."
That was a very comforting thought for Tommy. There wouldn't be time for Edgar Bernard to murder him.
"You know, since you drove all the way out here to surprise your boss, you might as well go all the way." Edgar said, staring at Tommy's glass.
"Might as well." Tommy was at a loss for words for the first time in his life.
"Brenner's Burger's is one of our best customers,but they haven't tried our fertilizer yet. It's 100% safe and natural. We make it ourselves." Edgar's skin and bones frame sprang to life with enthusiam. "Wait right here and I'll go out to the shed and get you a free sample. You better drink your water while it's cold."
"We?" Tommy frowned.
"I'm sorry. Force of habit. My mom and dad passed away a long while back but I can't help saying 'we'." Edgar confessed.
"Great" Tommy thought, "He's trying to drug me. Then he's going to come back in here wearing his mother's dress and swinging a hatchet."
"I'd really like to go with you, if you don't mind. I've never been to a place like this and would enjoy touring your famous facility." Tommy figured he had a better chance of survival if he never let Edgar out of his sight.
"Suit yourself. I just thought you'd rather rest in the air-conditioned office and enjoy your water. To each his own. Follow me."
Edgar led Tommy past a row of dilapidated wooden buildings. They stopped at the last one, which was leaning a bit to one side, but still standing.
"Because Brenner's Burgers has been a faithful customer all these years, I'm going to give you the full sized sack." said Edgar.
A horn honked in the distance.
"Oh, that's UPS. I probably need to sign for something. Everything comes and goes by UPS. I haven't left this place since my parents died. They were on their way to Vegas to celebrate their wedding anniversary. I guess I'm officially what they call autophobic. I've never driven a car and I never want to. We better hurry back."
Tommy felt like a fool and would never tell anyone the story of how frightened he had been by this little frightened man.
"What's that?" Tommy asked as they passed a partially open door.
"Oh, that's just the bone crusher. It's over a hundred years old but it still works like a charm. That big tub next to it is where we boil the bones before we, I mean, 'I', crush them. Old habits die hard." Edgar started talking very fast. "And don't you worry. You won't get mad cow disease from our bone meal. It's perfectly safe. Wouldn't hurt a fly. All you will get is bigger, redder, juicier tomatoes." Edgar wobbled as he hurried back to the office.
Tommy couldn't believe how this frail little guy was starting to frighten him all over again. He'd never been afraid of anyone before.
Edgar signed for the packages and offered the UPS man a glass of ice cold water, which he downed all at once and was very grateful for. Tommy drank his water, thanked Edgar profusely and tore out of there before the UPS man could finish loading the out-going packages on his truck.
Tommy headed towards Los Angeles and started thinking about all the beautiful tomatoes he was bound to meet when he got there.
~ TO BE CONTINUED ~
