“Eat up, kiddo. That’s all for this month.” Carter handed the remaining rations to his son, who took a glance at them then stared back at his father.

“What’re you going to eat?” The child said with a stern expression.

“I’m not hungry...” Carter responded, smiling warmly. Seeing his answer didn’t satisfy his son’s expectations, Carter’s smile faded a bit. He sighed and put a hand on the boy’s shoulder, “You don’t need to worry about me, Henry. I want you to have it... eat up.” 

Henry sighed, a fake smile on his face. Carter nodded, walking to the door. Without facing his son he spoke to him, “I... uh... I have to get goin’. Y’know... the social’s tonight and I’m already late.” He waited for Henry to reply, the boy was silent. “Love you too.” Carter said bitterly, exiting his miniscule cabin. 

Carter stuffed his hands into his pockets, walking out in the rain. He kept his head tilted down, his shoulders stiff and hunched over. Rain rushed down his face, soaking into his scruffy, grey beard. He glanced up as he passed through the market square, taking notice of its vacancy. Carter decided he liked it better this way, absent of his neighbors. That realization triggered pondering of the oddity of him showing up at a place like the social. He wasn’t particularly liked in the community and he didn’t particularly like the community. “Do it for Henry...” He muttered under his breath, as if he was worried that some unseen fellow would hear him.

Carter arrived at the social. Besides some glances of disdain, his entry went unnoticed. Carter combed his fingers through his sopping hair, scanning the room for Mina. He halted his search for the medic to get a drink. 

Carter had no tokens, they had all been spent on rations and his rations were depleted. He grunted, turning his pockets out in vain. He then spotted a man and a woman sitting at a table, they were laughing, enjoying their beverages. Carter’s eyes drifted to the tokens on the tabletop... he really wanted that drink.

Without hesitation, Carter walked over to the table. The man turned his head, the woman did the same. They both knew Carter, which was a bad thing. 

The man frowned, “What do you want, Carter?”

Carter smiled innocently, rubbing the back of his neck, “Just sayin’ hi to my pal, Jack. It is a social afterall...”

The man narrowed his eyes, “It’s James.”

Carter’s heart sank. James turned back to the woman. They continued their conversation, ignoring the desperate, haggard man who wanted a drink. Carter glanced again at the tokens, one of his brilliant “plans” brewing in his head. 

Carter started walking away, but after taking a few steps he tripped on some imaginary substance. He staggered back to the table, falling on it. 

“What the hell?!” James exclaimed, standing up. 

Carter laid there for a moment, then looked to James. “I tripped... sorry ‘bout that.” 

James gritted his teeth, speaking with an agitated tone, “Just... get off the table...”

Carter nodded, and stood up. He glanced down at his soaked boots. “Shit... damn shoes keep comin’ untied...” Carter kneeled down to tie his shoe. He picked up James’ tokens he intentionally knocked from the table during his fall and pocketed them. 

Carter finally got his drink that he longed for. He turned and examined the room, taking sips from his cup as he looked for Mina. He spotted the small crowd Mina had collected and made his way toward their table. As he made out faces, he went through their names in his head: 

Big Guy With the Hammer... Mechanic... Guy with a “C” Name... Teacher Guy... 

He made it to the table before he was able to complete the list in his head. Carter just stood beside Sean, crossing his arms. He awaited recognition.