Evelyn Ford emerged from the home goods store, the two burlap sacks she'd brought now stuffed full. She loaded the items onto the truck, and the two of them continued their shopping spree.
They bought some fruits and vegetables, various seeds, chicken and duck eggs, as well as some secondhand fabrics and clothes. The prices weren't cheap. Evelyn traded calligraphy supplies—brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones—along with books, magazines, and even cassette tapes, white sugar, brown sugar, and condoms.
These items were less risky to trade than tobacco and alcohol, and they were easy to exchange.
The cassette tapes, magazines, and condoms were the bestsellers, fetching the most supplies in return.
By the time they left the supply cooperative, the truck bed was already piled with goods. Evelyn stored everything in her space and decided to try her luck at the gas station.
Meanwhile, on another street, Mr. Landry and his men were being driven to Tarr Hospital.
