THEFT AT THE FARMERS' MARKET

The farmers’ co-op was at odds with itself. Complaints equaled accolades.  Accolades  were  widely proclaimed; complaints – it was hit or miss.  Wealthier  farmers  got attention; others were not so fortunate.

So it was with Charlie who had avidly welcomed the local co-op. It gave him access to big buyers like Bush and De Monte; it eliminated the long haul and overnight stay in Knoxville.

Farmers  delivered their produce to the co-op shed  at  day’s end where it was weighed, labeled and set up on tables for the next day’s auction. Early the next day buyers arrived in their big cars; trucks arrived as did the farmers with their table number certification in hand. By noon it was over.  The trucks were loaded; contracts were signed. Checks would arrive later.  Clean and efficient.  A system that worked for most and was appreciated by most.

Charlie’s doubts and questions came intermittently.  Sometimes the produce he left behind at the end of the set up day looked different from the produce he saw the day of the auction.  Was it possible that someone was switching produce?  Knowing he was at the bottom of the pecking order he said nothing.  He watched, he noted, and he watched until he was sure. And he acted alone for he trusted no one.

On his chosen day for action he delivered  his load of green peppers. He watched as they were weighed, placed in crates and placed on the sale table. No one paid any mind to Charlie sitting near his crates on table 9 and whittling. No one noticed as Charlie scratched his initials on the sides of his crates.

Charlie arrived early the next morning. His crates had been replaced. Up and down the tables he went until he found his marked crates on table 2.  Charlie waited for the table tenant to arrive. Howard Cox from the biggest farm in Rockwood.  Charlie continued to wait until all farmers and buyers were there. He climbed up on the edge of Howard Cox’s table and yelled.  “This man stole my peppers.”  

The buzz activity stopped immediately and all eyes were on him. Charlie presented his case.  One by one all eyes moved from Charlie to Homer.  Homer watched  the farmers helped  Charlie reclaim his crates.