for you. I’m sure it is hard moving into a new town and trying to get settled."
Jenny and Peter looked at each other before she said "thank you, but you didn’t have to do that."
"I know, but I wanted to. The two of you are just starting out and you will find that letting others help you will make things easier. Some day, you will be able to offer assistance to someone else and you will know how good that makes you feel. I’m here by myself now and having someone here to talk to and to help gives me something to do and helps me to pay back those who were here for me and my husband when we first started out."
"Thank you." Jenny stated again. "Can you stay and eat with us?"
"I probably shouldn’t, I already ate, but I do like my own cooking if I say so myself. Maybe just one." Mary answered with a sly grin.
She and Jenny sat at the table, there were only 2 chairs. Peter was sitting on the sofa, although it was close enough to the table that he could be part of the conversation.
"I made some calls last night and there will be someone coming by shortly to see you, Peter." Mary began after she had finished her roll.
"To see me?" Peter asked.
"I talked to the minister and he said he knew someone who might be able to give you a job. He said the man’s name is Mr. Jackson, and he will be coming by around 10. I hope I am not being too intrusive, but you did say yesterday that you wanted to find work."
"Yes’m." was all Peter could say.
"Jenny, I have some things around the house you can help me with if you want. I expect you have washing to do. I have some vegetables that need canning so you can help me with that, Ok?"
"Yes’m." Jenny echoed her brother.
They ate in silence, Mary not able to keep to her limit of one roll, but there were enough for all to be filled.
Shortly after 10 they heard the sound of a vehicle in the driveway.
"That must be Mr. Jackson." Mary said.
Peter was apprehensive, but he followed her out of the apartment to meet with the man who had just arrived. Jenny stayed back, she wasn’t sure what she would do or say.
"Mr. Jackson?" Mary asked as the man got out of his truck.
"Yes. I guess you are Mary Simmons and this must be peter." He stated, offering his hand to each in turn.
"I have some things to do inside, I’ll let you two talk." Mary said, going back into the apartment to get jenny before they went into the house.
"I am on my way to get coffee, would you like to come along and we can talk." Mr. Jackson said to peter as they were left alone.
"Yes sir." Peter answered, looking nervous at meeting someone new.
"Hop in, you can call me Gary."
Gary drove to a local diner several minutes away from the apartment. Peter was looking around the area with curiosity, he hadn’t been able to see much of anything other than his immediate surroundings when living at home in Florida. Inside, they sat at a booth, the waitress coming around and putting a cup of coffee in front of each. Peter had never tasted coffee, but gave it a try as he saw most of the others in the diner with cups on their tables. It was hot and he made a face as he tasted it for the first time.
"Not a coffee drinker, I see." Gary smiled as he noticed peter’s reaction.
"Not much, sir."
Gary was impressed with Peter’s politeness, but offered "We’re pretty informal around here, just call me Gary."
Peter was about to call him sir again, but stopped before saying anything.
"I understand you are looking for work." Gary started.
"Yes…" Peter answered slowly.
"Tell me about what you are looking for. What have you done in the past?" Gary asked.
"I used to do some building back in Virginia." Peter started, adding to the story he and Jenny would be telling anyone who needed to know.
"What kind of building?"
"I worked on houses, you know, building them." Peter answered.
"So you were a carpenter." Gary replied.
"I guess you could say that." Peter continued.
"What did you do, framing, finish work…" Gary