Becky, Part 13 - The can was two years old, past its expiration date, by almost a year.

Becky had a few others remaining.  Inside the cupboard, thankfully remained a canister still partially full of rice.  In the back, sat a large can of peaches, and one of pineapple rings.  She had an unopened bag of noodles, some crackers, and a small jar of preserves.  2025?  Oh well, still should be okay.  And anyway, these remaining items were so old, they'd probably stay down.

Becky paused, before opening one of the cans.  Her supply was ... well, not much.  Earlier in the year, she had tried to stock up as best as she could, but her savings certainly didn't keep up with the inflation-on-overdrive.  

It was late November.  Her fuel oil might get her into late January.  Good thing she had had the tank topped off, before her credit was shut off.  Her card, by the way, had had an unpaid balance of $67.12.  Funny, the company had no issue of accepting her mailed check.  Neither did the electric company - who by the way - gave notice that starting January 13th, subscriptions had to go with their credit line.  Well, Readers, you know what that entails.  Yep, taking - what was, not so long ago, called the upload, but now called exactly what it was - The Mark.  As for Becky's phone, same story - except that customers had until mid December to switch over, if they wanted to remain with the plan - or enroll in any other.  

As for Becky's health insurance, that had quit 30 days after she had "resigned."   Talk about dependence upon the Lord to keep her in health.  Becky, being in her mid 40s, was old enough for things to go wrong, but had no insurance to get anything that went wrong, to be made right.  But anyway, to any medical facility, was about the last place she wanted to be even near.

A few days prior to the store incident, she'd filled her gas tank.  Being that she could neither buy nor sell, there was really no point in going anywhere, other than church.  She had formerly gone both Sunday morning and Sunday night - sometimes to Wednesday's Bible study.  But having to save gas, that shut her out from the only place outside of home she cared to be at.  Except Sunday morning, that is.  When the gas ran out, she'd bundle up and walk the several miles.  

Really, it was a miracle that the congregation's supplies were holding out as ling as they had so far.  They car-pooled, when they could.  But it being so dark, and many of the people couldn't drive at night - and besides, being out after dark, wasn't exactly safe.  Nope, Sunday and Wednesday night services were sparsely attended - and only done so, by those who lived nearby.  Five miles - and in the dark - was pushing things.

Sunday was the day after tomorrow.  Becky would wait.