Jim asked Donald, “Buddy, I know you have spent a lot of money helping all of us, but where exactly do you stand financially, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“Actually, I need to talk with you about the finances. I figure two heads are better than one, as the old saying goes. I paid for the lodge and the land outright so it is mine, but I am still paying on the boat, my house and car. All of those payments come out of my checking account automatically, as well as the utility and cable payments and I have enough left in the account to pay for three more months. So, it is time to get our heads together to get some more money coming in. I have had some requests for outfitting trips, so we would have to figure out places for them to stay, if everybody is ok having them stay here at the lodge. My savings account is drained, which is the money we have been living off of. Do you have any ideas, Jim?” Donald explained.

“I like the idea of you leading outfitting this winter, Donald. Sue and Karen and I can run things around here. As far as rooms, we have Bruce’s old room and I’m sure some of our people would be willing to double up so we can have enough rooms for the hunters.” Jim answered.

“We do need to stock up more supplies for the winter, so we can make it through. The roads will become inaccessible pretty soon, so that is very important. I figure we will need close to $1,000 to get the bare necessities. The man who owns the store in town might let me have the supplies on credit. I could go talk to him in a couple of days. If you could arrange the room changes, I will get in touch with the hunters and give them the green light,” Donald said. He knew they really needed more than a thousand dollars, because they needed a couple of new generators, with the old one being almost ten years old. That would be their only power source, if the electricity went off this winter, as it was prone to do. He also wanted to get vegetable seeds for a spring garden. Fresh vegetables were very expensive in Alaska. But he didn’t want to discourage Jim by telling him all of this.

And then, there was the roof on the lodge that needed replacing. Donald knew that those were not the only expenses, but he didn’t want to think about it any more. They were going down the tubes fast and he seriously didn’t know how to solve it. Donald thought about his situation and knew he had made the right decision in helping these elderly people. He felt like it was his life’s mission, so he would just have to believe that somehow they would make it.

Andrew Weeks was getting itchy feet to get started up at the resort, but he had his orders. He did go up there and inspect the whole place to see what he could do to prepare for January. There were little things that would make it more secure, like covering the window in the downstairs rooms so if someone who didn't belong got down there, they couldn’t see what was going on. He beefed up the locks on the doors down there and started working on securing each of the floors. The ones responsible for letting others on and off of the floors would have a special key so the elevators didn’t open automatically unless someone had the key. That was easy enough to explain. If anyone asked, they would be told it was because it was necessary for alzheimer’s patients.

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Jim started organizing room changes and freeing up several rooms for the hunters the next morning. Donald started off toward town. He cringed, thinking about talking with the store owner about buying on credit. He had maxed out his own credit card, buying coats and groceries, so he didn’t have that to fall back on. He walked in and seeing Ben Mulligan busy with customers, decided to check his mail at the post office. He groaned when he saw a letter from Max.

Donald had been afraid Max would retaliate and sue him for keeping him tied up and here was the letter. He didn’t open it right away, but put it into his folder to read when he got home. He didn’t need any more bad news right now. Donald was not doing so great. He went back to the store and saw Ben was not busy, so swallowed deeply and said, “Hi Ben, how have you been?”

Ben said, “Well hey there Donald, “It is good to see you! How are things up at the lodge?”

Donald said, “That is why I came to talk to you today. We are needing some supplies and I am running short until the hunters get here. I was wondering if you could extend some credit to me?” He thought, “Well, at least I didn’t stumble over my words. That came out smoothly.”

Ben said, “I would love to Donald. You have been a good friend and customer, but I am overextended. I gave credit to that young man who came up from Washington State and was surprised to learn that he flopped up here and had gone back to Washington without settling up with me. That really hurt. I am just hoping I can make it through the winter. I’m sorry Donald but I have to say no. I hope there’s no hard feelings.”

Donald, devastated by the news, both for himself and his friend, tried not to show it and smiled and said, “Of course not, Ben. I’m so sorry you got screwed over like that. Maybe you will hear from that young guy when he gets back on his feet.”

“I sure hope so. Something like that takes a while to get over, if I ever do!” Ben said.

They talked a while and Donald left for home, wondering how he was going to tell Jim what was happening and wondering how they were going to make it.