Page 17 of The Breakdown

“Child,” June said, scooping out a heap of scrambled eggs for Natalie. “Eat.” She dropped them on her plate and passed her the bacon and some country salted ham. “You’re gonna need energy to work on this ranch.”

Natalie took two strips of bacon, but June grimaced at her and added a slice of ham. She did the same with a biscuit. It wasn’t that the food didn’t look and smell delicious. It’s just that Natalie wasn’t used to eating such a big breakfast so early.

“Thank you,” she said, a little overwhelmed at June piling her plate with food.

“You’re welcome,” June said. She smacked Benny on the arm, causing him to howl. “You hear that? She said thank you. Wouldn’t hurt you two to do the same every once in a while.”

“Thank you, Miss June,” Benny muttered, rubbing his arm.

“Yeah, thanks,” Greer added with a full mouth.

“That’s more like it,” June said. She took a bite of her own eggs, chewed and swallowed. “Ungrateful lot. You’d think you was raised in a barn.”

Vaughn chuckled.

“And you,” June said, pointing her fork at her. “You ought to do better, too.”

“Me?”

“It wouldn’t kill you to bring the eggs in for me in the morning. That damn rooster you brought home has it out for me.”

Vaughn laughed, hand to her chest. “He does, doesn’t he?”

“Blasted thing. I ought to get the broom after him. Show him who’s boss.”

“I’d pay to see that,” Greer said.

“Me, too,” Benny said.

“Just never you mind,” June said. “It’s bad enough I have to deal with that rooster. I don’t want to have to contend with you two as well.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Benny said.

That seemed to be the end of the matter because they ate in silence for a while after that, with the boys chewing like it was their last meal and slurping on their orange juice and milk like they were dying of thirst. Natalie had never seen people eat so ravenously before. One would think they were going to a fire.

The boys finished, taking one last biscuit from the bowl as they rose from the table and secured their hats on their heads. They thanked June for breakfast again and hurried out the kitchen door, letting it slam shut behind them. The curtains swayed on the little rectangle of a window as Natalie stared after them, mouth agape.

“They got work to do,” Vaughn said, grabbing her attention. “Work doesn’t wait.”

Natalie looked to her plate and forked more egg. She wasn’t sure if she should keep eating or join the boys to help with the waiting work. June seemed to sense her conundrum.

“Eat, child,” she said. She chewed her ham. “It can wait for you.”

Vaughn sipped her juice. “We’re understaffed. That’s why they’re in such a hurry to return to work. They’ve got a lot to do.”

Natalie took a bite. She toyed with her remaining eggs. Vaughn was watching her.

“You not hungry?”

“I’m not used to eating so much so early.”

“Just you wait,” Vaughn said.

“You’ll be starved by lunch,” June said. “And even hungrier come supper.”

“Maybe,” Natalie said. “But I just can’t eat any more right now. It was very good though. Thank you.” She’d eaten some eggs, her bacon, and her biscuit. But she couldn’t finish the ham or the rest of her eggs.

“You’re mighty welcome,” June said. She chewed on in silence. Then, to Vaughn, “What are you going to do about replacing those hands?”