"I simply can't stand to lose my reputation! There are too many who rely on my business, you know what I mean?" The large, stocky man looked over at a young boy who was moving crates.

"Uh-hum," the boy answered, looking over his options as to how he'd move and arrange the boxes.

The man shrugged and paced again. "But boy, she was a sight!" he declared, "Prettiest thing you ever did see."

Should he move the crates into a neat stack, or should he concentrate on walking space? The boy pushed one of the boxes to the side, revealing a smaller one. "I'll bet she was," he muttered.

"Make sure those aren't in the way, Cruse," the man suggested, pointing at some of the boy's work.

The boy ignored him, lifting the smaller box and carrying it to another location on the east end of the building. The older of the two followed, rambling about some girl. "I'm telling you Cruse, her hair was long and gorgeous, not to mention those eyes -"

"Sr." the teen interrupted, "would you rather I put this one here, or -"

"Cruse, I prefer Mr. Sildwany," the man grumbled, "Or just Sildwany will do."

The boy paused to look over at his boss, "Yes, and you know I prefer Jay." He moved on with his work, placing the small crate on top of a rather large stack.

"Yes, of course," Sildwany growled. "Anyway, I was saying that her eyes were like nothing I'd ever seen! Bluer than an -"

"Mr. Sildwany," Jay interrupted, "I'd rather you didn't..." he trailed off, the description triggering in his memory. "Wait, what did you say? About her eyes?"

"I was saying that her eyes were bluer than an ice crystal," Sildwany growled, "before I was interrupted," he added accusingly.

"Sorry," Jay started toward the other side of the room. What was it the description reminded him of? He shuffled around a few more crates before his shift was over at 7:30pm.

Pulling on a hat, Jay looked back at his boss who had had, in his 'spare time,' one too many drinks, and was sitting on the edge of his chair. "See you," Jay mumbled.

Sildwany swung his head toward his youngest employee, "Get back here," he coughed, wheezing, "on time tomorrow, young man. Hear?"

Jay nodded, "Yah I hear." Without another word, he stepped outside onto the cool, dark street. Ahead of him, he could see his breath, and lampposts stood, bulbs nearly burned out. He pushed his hands into the pockets of his black sweater, finding little warmth. It was mostly dark, and the street felt deserted... at least until he heard footsteps. At first, the steps were small, quiet shuffles. Soon, they became thumps, and then a steady, rhythmic sound of shoes against the hard street.

"Jay Cruse! I thought your shift was over at seven!" A familiar feminine voice echoed off the stone walls as a young girl hurried to his side. Jay smiled and looked down at her. Her wavy shoulder length red hair glowed in the dim lights, and her dark eyes focused on him. She wore a tight brown coat, and tight jeans that flared out at the bottom. In her hand, she carried a small bag. She was sixteen, but most thought she to be fourteen or fifteen.

"Sorry," Jay apologized, gazing down at her, "My boss asked me to work a half hour more for the next while."

She crossed her arms, smiling at his familiar English accent. "A while? Last time he asked you to take up fifteen minutes, and that hasn't changed!"

Jay took her hand and strolled down the street. "Yes... but I don't mind. Besides, I need the money." He looked at her and sighed. Her face was tight with disbelief, and her eyes narrowed as she looked up to meet his gaze. "Oh, come on Alice. You know I want to spend time with you, It's just that I have to get money someplace!"

"Yes," Alice agreed, "But I still don't think you should be working for Sildwany."

"I don't have much of a choice."

"Yes you do! There are all sorts of other places you could -"

"No there are not." Jay stopped, pulling her to a halt. "There is no other businesses that will hire a fifteen year old with grade nine education! Mr. Sildwany is kind to let me work for him."

Alice huffed. "I don't trust a hair on that man's head!" she declared angrily, looking up at Jay and pulling her lips tight. Jay tried not to laugh as they continued walking. He remembered first meeting Alice two years ago after leaving the Space... Port... His thoughts trailed off as the most beautiful smile he'd ever seen entered his memory, filling his heart with loss. Jay tried desperately to distract his mind, and thought about Alice. He remembered walking blindly about two years ago, and accidentally walking into her, nearly knocking her over, causing her to drop all her books. She had turned around furiously, only to stare in awe. Jay didn't know what had made her so silent, all he knew was that a dreamy look had crossed her round face. Since that day, they'd become good friends... at least that was all Jay thought of it; but sometimes he wondered if Alice thought it was more. Jay had never been one to jump for girls, and the fact that Alice was a year older than him didn't drive him forward at all. He was happy with being friends.

"Oh!" Alice broke into his train of thoughts as they approached Jay's current home. "I forgot!" she reached into her bag and retrieved several envelopes. "I was at the mail box earlier, and the bank manager asked if I knew you. I suppose he'd seen us together at one point or another -"

"Uh-hum."

"And he said that you had some mail that had been forwarded to his bank by an elderly couple who lived on Jadehaven. Apparently they have been receiving your mail, and they took the liberty of finding your location and delivering your mail." Alice handed him the letters. "I guess there are a few."

Jay glanced down at the letters, his stomach clenching, then back to Alice. "Thanks. I'd better get to sleep." he muttered, "See you tomorrow?"

Alice winked, "I hope so." She smiled and continued walking toward her home which was only a block away.

Sighing, Jay entered his small rent place. He shared the house with three other guys, and two girls. The girls slept in one room, while the guys had two rooms from which they divided the living space. He looked down at the letters once more. There must have been about four of five, and they all had his name, Jay Cruse, written neatly on the front. He shuffled their weight in his hand. What where they for? Who were they from? He wondered if they were from his father or mother, and he was afraid to open them. He didn't know that he was ready to hear anything they had to say. All the unresolved problems that had come between them had never been mended, and Jay wasn't ready to start now. Besides, if they had something they wanted to say to him, they should do it face to face.

Walking past the fireplace, Jay glared down at the letters, shifted them once more in his hand, and then he tossed them into the fire. He watched as the flames devoured the paper, growing and hissing in delight. Burn baby, burn.

So what do you guys think of Jay? What do you think of his choice to work for Sildwany? And the letters...