Patty was working the cash register when Anton entered the store.

Swallowing her excitement and joy, she gave him her business-as-usual smile.

"May I help you, sir?"

"I do not know," said Anton. "What I want cannot be purchased in a store, for any price."

"You're in luck, then." She walked around the counter and into his open arms. He hugged her tight, then kissed her lips as he released her.

"What time do you get off?"

"I promised Ike I'd stay until six today."

He smiled. "Perfect timing. I'll be here at exactly five after six to pick you up and take you out for the nicest meal you have ever eaten."

Patty beamed. "Oh, Anton!"

"See you in a little while." He gave her forehead a quick peck and then left.

Although greatly distracted by the thought of dinner with her sweetheart, Patty finished her shift, and Anton came back at five after six, just as he'd promised. He was attractively dressed in navy blue slacks and a light blue button-down shirt, and Patty could smell the musky scent of his aftershave.

"See you later!" she called to Ike as she left the store on Anton's arm.

"OK, have a nice time," Ike replied.

Anton was in a different car this time.

"I just made a down payment on it," he told Patty.

"Wow, so it's actually yours!"

"That is correct. Before I returned to Germany, I spoke with Dr. Banion, and he agreed to file my Form-864 Affidavit of Support. I have also made arrangements with the hospital to start my residency on Monday, and I have paid the deposit and first month's rent on a cozy little cottage near the hospital."

"You sure have been busy!"

"It is all for you, my love."

"How are your family?" asked Patty.

"They are fine - happy for me, that I have been reunited with my love, although of course they will miss me, as I will miss them."

"I feel bad about that."

"There is no reason for you to feel bad." He gave her a reassuring smile and patted her knee. "I am an adult, and I have my own life to live. I promised them I will write, and visit as often as I can. Here we are."

He pulled up in front of the restaurant and parked. They got out of the car and walked into the restaurant holding hands.

The interior was dimly lit, and soft music was playing. The tables were square and were covered with white tablecloths, and the chairs were brown. A hostess met them at the door.

"Table for two?"

"Yes, please," said Anton.

"Right this way." The hostess led them to one of the tables. Anton pulled Patty's chair out for her, then sat down himself.

"Your waiter will be with you in a minute," the hostess told them. Anton nodded his thanks.

Patty looked around. It was the nicest restaurant she'd ever been in. Her parents had rarely taken her and Sharon out to eat, and when they had, it had been mostly to diners, or McDonald's.

A tall young man with dark hair and pimples appeared within a few minutes.

"Hi, I'm your waiter, Tony," he said. "Here are your menus. I'll give you a few minutes to look at them."

After he'd left, Patty gave a nervous giggle. "Remember when I asked you if anyone had ever called you Tony?"

Anton smiled. "Yes, I remember. In Germany, it is usually a nickname for a girl named Antonia."

"That's pretty."

"I agree." He opened his menu. "So, what would you like to eat this evening?"

Patty opened her own menu and gasped. "Look at these prices!"

Anton laughed. "Don't you worry about those prices, P.B. That's my concern."

Patty frowned. "Well, I don't want to cost you too much."

Anton took her face into his hands and gazed into her eyes. "P.B., you've been through some hard things in your short life. I think you are entitled to a little spoiling every now and then. Order whatever you want."

In the end, Anton ordered the filet Mignon, and Patty ordered the shrimp scampi.

"It isn't kosher, but I don't even care!" she laughed.

Anton grinned. "I am sure God understands. Now we have a wedding to plan, don't we?"

Elizabeth opened the door to a very glum-looking Patty.

"Hi, Patty. Is something wrong?" she asked.

Patty sighed. "I know it's a lot to ask, Elizabeth, but would you mind going shopping with me and helping me choose a wedding dress? Ike gave me twenty dollars, but Mama won't take me. She said - " Patty gulped and blinked back tears. "She said if I go through with marrying Anton, she'll never have anything to do with me again."

"Oh, sweetheart, I'm so sorry!" Elizabeth embraced her friend. "I'd be happy to take you, if Cindy will watch Max and Laura for a couple of hours. Ginny loves helping take care of them."

"Oh, thank you!" Patty beamed. "I would have asked Aimee, since she's my big sister now, but she lives a lot further away, and besides, she just had the baby."

"You know what?" asked Elizabeth. "When I was a little girl, my Mama got pregnant. At first I was mad, but later on, I got excited about the new baby. If it was a girl, she was gonna be named Joy." Elizabeth sighed. "Well, Mama had a miscarriage, so I never got my baby sister named Joy, but ever since I met you - it's funny, but I feel like you're the little sister I never had." She chuckled. "I even almost slip up and call you 'Joy' sometimes."