Ron left home for the great job hunt after school had let out, he theorized if he started showing up at places to fill out applications there might be too many questions that he didn't want to answer. Ron went first to Smarty Mart and actually had a pre-employment interview.

They asked him how he broke his hand and he told the Human Resources lady that he was working on his scooter and it fell over on him. Ron figured it was better than the truth. They asked him when the cast was coming off and Ron told them in about a month. Smarty Mart told him that they might hear back from them before Friday.

He then went to Botkin's Lumber, Burger Joe's, Industrial Soap, and finally a stop by Bueno Nacho to talk to Ned.

Ron entered his favorite eating establishment with Rufus; Rufus didn't have to be low profile anymore since he was so well known at the restaurant. Ron walked up to the counter, "Hey Ned" Ron said evenly.

Ned had heard about the big Ron and Kim split in school, "Hey Ron, the usual?" he asked.

Ron nodded his head, "Grande size" he said smiling.

Ned nodded and hooked Ron up with his favorite chimerito and a naco, and a drink.

Ron paid for his food and went and sat at his favorite booth, Ned came out from behind the counter for a break. He seen that Ron was pretty down, he was just moving his food around on his plate. Rufus was eating most of it. He sat down in Kim's spot across from Ron,

"I heard about you and Kim breaking up, sorry, I was pullin' for ya buddy." He said sympathetically.

Ron winced and nodded, "Got around school that fast, huh?" Ron said expressionless.

Ned nodded back, "Yea…I...You know I was going to ask out Tina, when I saw how well you did…I don't think I will now though." He told Ron sadly.

Ron knew that Ned had always liked Tina but was afraid to ask her out, him being a on the nerd side and all. Ron was going to tell him to go for it, but not now, "Yea, I know Ned." Ron said understanding Ned's plight.

Ned looked out the window, "Your going back to school on Monday, right?" trying to make small talk and take Ron's mind off things.

Ron nodded, "Yea, I'm sure I'll get ragged on for a day or two…maybe all week. I'm glad there's only 3 weeks of school left." Ron shrugged sadly.

Ron decided it was time to ask Ned if he could come back to work again at Bueno Nacho, "Hey Ned, could you do me a favor and hook a brother up with a job once schools out?" Ron asked hoping for a positive answer.

Ned kind of squirmed in his seat, "Last time you worked here, you had my job." Ned said nervously.

Ron shook his head and chuckled, "Ned I just want to earn some cash and get a car for the senior year. There's a good chance that I'll get hired on at Smarty Mart. I figure if I work about 20 hours a week there and have about 20 here, I can get a pretty good hoopty car." Ron said hopefully.

Ned scratched his head, "Well, I'll see what I can do, but you want to start after schools out right?" he asked wanting to make sure.

Ron nodded, "That's the game plan so far." He told Ned.

Once Ron finished up at Bueno Nacho, he told Ned that he'd see him later and he and Rufus puttered home on the little blue scooter. Ron was feeling pretty good now; he felt like actually accomplished something today.

Ron turned down the familiar street, and rode past Kim's house, "I wonder what Princess is up to tonight?" he wondered.

He chuckled under his breath, "Man, Shego's got her nailed." He thought to himself.

He kind of chided himself on the way up the hill, "Now, now, don't be angry, it's not her fault that you didn't make a good enough boyfriend." He thought sadly.

Ron shook his head "Man got to stop thinking like this, it's like pouring a can of gas on an open fire and all it does is drag me into the flames." He thought to himself.

He pulled into the driveway and parked the scooter, "It's still early, and Mom and Dad should both still be up." He thought.

He still sat on the scooter, "Better go find mom, get it over with quick, I'll tell her everything first, that should make things go easier." He thought hopefully.

Ron got off the scooter and walked in the door; he went into the living room and found his mom. Ron strode right up to her, "Mom, we gotta talk." He told her in serious tone.

His mom shook her head, "You bet we do. Ronald." She said sounding annoyed.

His mom looked over at his dad; his dad had fallen asleep in the recliner. Ron was envious; "The recliner was just too comfortable" he thought to himself.

His mother shook her head, "Let's go to the kitchen." She said disgustedly.

Once in the kitchen, "Alright, what's your story?" she asked in a very loud angry voice.

Ron was used to it and he didn't flinch. He told his mom everything; he told her about everything that happed since Monday and all that he had done during the day as far as job hunting went. He could see his mom softening, so he brought it all home for the big finish, "I'm sorry I haven't been around much, I didn't mean to make you or dad mad, sometimes things just go wrong for me." He said in a quiet voice.

His mom shook her head sadly, "Short romance wasn't it?" she said wistfully.

Ron nodded in agreement. Ron's mom continued to shake her head, "Honey you should of said something, I didn't know all this was going on." She told Ron feeling sorry for him.

Ron shrugged, "Well, you know, you and dad are both so busy I figured I could deal with this alone." He said choking up and looking the other way so his mother wouldn't see him tearing.

In Ron's mind men did not cry in front of women, if they cried it was a sign of weakness. Crying was against the imaginary rules that he figured ruled everything. In the back of Ron's mind he knew that Kim had seen him cry a lot over the years, wondered if maybe that's why she broke it off with him. Because he was weak, Ron fought back the tears.

Ron's mom winced at being reminded how busy both she and her husband were. Ron came into their lives before they were out of college and it always seemed poor Ron was pushed to the side in the interests of earning an income. Ron's mom always thought he handled it well, but now that he was older, he just appeared to be more distant to them, always out helping to save the world with his buddy Kim or just not home.

They had the time now for Ron, but he didn't have time for them. That realization was starting to hit home and she found it alarming. Ron's mom heaved a heavy sigh, "Ronnie, you go back to school on Monday right? She asked.

Ron nodded that he did. Ron's mom licked her lips, "Can you just stay home until Monday, can you be here when we get home from work?" she said almost pleading.

Ron nodded his head, "Yea, mom, I can do that." Ron said in a relieved voice.

Ron gave his mom a big hug and told her he loved her, and he and Rufus went upstairs. Ron pulled Rufus out of his pocket, "That wasn't so bad was it little buddy?" he asked the naked mole rat.

Rufus wiped his brow and gave a big, "Whewwwwww".

Ron smiled to himself, "Yea I can stay home until then, I got everything I needed done, done today." Ron thought happily to himself.

Ron scratched Rufus on the head, "Who knows Rufus, maybe next week I can find that nice Jewish girl mom wants." He said with a laugh.

Rufus was happy to see Ron smile again, nodded in agreement, "Uh huh, Uh huh" the little mole rat squeaked happily.

Ron got a pillow and sat back against the wall, "This time if I fall asleep, I won't be so sore tomorrow." He thought.

Ron knew he could make it until Monday, he also knew he was going to have to go back and face all the ridicule on Monday. He'd also have to face Kim, that would be hardest of all. Ron looked over at Rufus, who was occupied doing something with an old sock.

Ron smiled, "What would I ever do without Rufus." He thought to himself.

He let Rufus play a little longer and then called it a night. He knew he would need all the rest he could get to face next week, because next week he'd have to face it alone.