Scarlett thought she was already popular enough.
She was wrong!
Despite Scarlett’s charm and sweet talk, Kay’s mere presence drew even more attention to their stall. Though he didn’t make playful remarks or jokes, the middle-aged women loved crowding around him. His demeanor was polite and approachable, and if it weren’t for Scarlett’s striking looks—which outshone their daughters and nieces combined—some might have tried to introduce him to someone.
Even the usually thrifty housewives became generous. Scarlett noticed that one woman who had bought 20 eggs yesterday came back to buy more today!
She had underestimated the market in Greenfield County. She thought the sales had reached saturation, but with Kay by her side for less than an hour outside the farm equipment factory, she managed to sell all the eggs she brought. Scarlett thought about running back to Wellwater Village to fetch another batch but felt it wouldn’t be right to leave Kay behind.
As they left the factory, Kay seemed to have something on his mind. Eventually, he couldn’t hold back any longer.
“How much do you make selling one egg?”
“One cent. I bet you think it’s a lousy business.”
Kay had mentioned he was a driver, but Scarlett was skeptical. His clothing wasn’t fancy, but the high-end Rolex on his wrist told another story. In the 1980s, when gold imports were restricted, a gold Rolex was considered a top-tier luxury item.
In Greenfield County, there probably weren’t many people who could even recognize the watch.
The Whitaker family’s entire savings—500 dollars—had been taken when Rosalie went to school, but Kay’s Rolex, even the most basic model, would have cost over 800 dollars in 1983.
Could that really be the spending level of a truck driver?
For Scarlett to afford a Rolex, she would need to sell more than 80,000 eggs. Even if she made 10 dollars a day without spending a penny, it would take her nearly three months to buy the most basic model. And that was as a private trader. For an average town worker earning only a few dozen dollars a month, it would take two years to save 800 dollars.
Thinking about the vast disparity between her circumstances and Kay’s, Scarlett’s earlier frustration faded significantly.
Kay didn’t belittle her business. Despite the heat—it wasn’t even 10 a.m.—they were both drenched in sweat from walking.
“Selling eggs is tough work. If you want to do business, maybe you can work with Leo,” Kay suggested.
They had only known each other for less than 24 hours, yet Kay was already planning for Scarlett’s future.
He wasn’t saying business was bad; dismissing her efforts would have been tone-deaf. But he wanted to find an easier path for Scarlett. She was a young woman, too striking for her own good, and selling eggs this way was too taxing.
“Sure, once I save up enough capital, I’ll ask Big Brother Leo if I can partner with him,” Scarlett quickly interrupted.
Scarlett had a forward-thinking vision beyond her time. Did she really need to rely on a man’s pity to survive?
She appreciated Kay’s thoughtfulness and would seize any opportunity that came her way, but she wasn’t about to take advantage of his generosity. Accepting help with no strings attached was different from sharing a meal. If someone offered her a way to make money without any real connection to her, Scarlett knew she couldn’t accept it with a clear conscience.
Kay nodded slowly.
Though Scarlett looked delicate, she was proud at her core.
Kay didn’t have much experience pursuing women, but he could tell Scarlett wouldn’t appreciate him making decisions for her.
“Alright, we’ll wait until you’ve saved enough capital. Leo’s business won’t dry up anytime soon,” Kay said.
He had initially planned to help Leo with a run to the city and then leave the business entirely. But now, thinking of how their route passed through Greenfield County—and how Scarlett was here—Kay decided he couldn’t abandon the business just yet.
If he disappeared for too long, people like the noddle seller or those nosy women buying eggs might start introducing Scarlett to potential suitors.
Kay didn’t push further, which made Scarlett feel relieved. When they returned to the guesthouse, William and Leo were already there.
William exchanged a look with Scarlett and pulled her aside to talk.
Kay tossed a cigarette to Leo. “So, what did you find out?”
Leo hesitated, but one glance from Kay made him relent.
“I went to the police station with Mr. Miller. Those three idiots are still locked up. While Mr. Miller chatted with the officers, I slipped the gatekeeper two packs of cigarettes and got in to rough up those pests again. They said…”
