Rumanus sat at his kitchen table, glancing every now and then at his pocket watch. He had expected Bae to be up by this hour but—
"Damn!" Bae ran down the steps, nearly tripping. He hastily pulled his coat on while glancing around for his hat and was halfway out the door when his father stopped him.
"Want some breakfast, Bae?"
"I'm really late for work."
Rumanus considered his son for a moment, "You all right?"
Bae turned, "Yeah. Fine. Why?"
"I don't know…Last night—how did it go?"
Bae's ears reddened as he stammered out a "Good, really, really good—Sorry, Papa, I have to go."
Ruby Lucas was a sweet girl, a beautiful sweet girl. However, she was well aware of the sway she held over the boys in her village and she'd be lying if she said she didn't enjoy it. True, there was only one admirer she was serious about (Graham…his name alone made her smile…they were meant to be, of that she was sure) but that didn't mean she couldn't ask small favors of all the other boys who claimed to love her….
And that was why, Ruby felt no qualms about sashaying into the shop where Bae Gold worked and bypassing the long line without a backwards glance. She stopped in front of the counter and smiled, "Hello Bae."
"Ruby—"
"Pound of sugar, please."
The woman who Bae had been waiting on glanced at Ruby incredulously but Ruby just smiled back before turning her attention back to Bae.
"Uh…yes…" he said as he searched for the sugar.
She gave him another small smile and then continued on with her list. "Let's see…a bag of flour…a dozen eggs—Sorry about last night, by the way. Graham can be a little intimidating sometimes so I hope he didn't frighten you."
Another smile as she glanced around the shop. "Oh…I also need a sack of potatoes and…some chocolate…" her eyes flitted back to Bae, "…please."
Bae went about retrieving the items on her list. He carried them to the counter and asked, "May I perhaps…see you tonight?"
"No, but you may walk me home."
"Now?"
Ruby nodded and gave him one of her sweetest smiles.
"'course…yes, yes I can," he said as he gathered all of her purchases in his arms and followed her out the door, paying no mind to the irritated and somewhat shocked look on his boss's face.
Later that evening, Bae stood in front of the small mirror hanging on the kitchen wall and practiced what he had to say.
"Papa, I lost my job," he declared.
He shook his head and tried for a more humble tone, "Papa…I lost my job…I'm so sorry."
No, that wasn't quite right either. Bae stared at his reflection and tried again, "I'm sorry, Papa, but—"
"You've lost your job…So I've heard."
Bae froze and turned around slowly to face his father. "Papa, I'm so sorry…I—I," he sighed and hung his head, "Maybe Mr. Monday is right…maybe I am deluding myself…I'm not good enough for Ruby."
"He said that?" Rumanus narrowed his eyes and stepped closer to his son. "That's poppycock."
"You really want to know how it went last night?" Bae asked as both father and son seated themselves at the kitchen table. Rumanus nodded and motioned for Bae to continue.
"Not good," Bae shook his head and sighed dejectedly. "I'm wasting my time…I'm not like Graham Humbert…"
"Bae, every man I envied as a boy has led an unremarkable life. Who cares if you don't fit with the popular crowd?" Rumanus fixed his boy with a stare and said with conviction, "I take that as a very good omen."
For the second night in a row, Bae walked to Ruby's house and tossed a pebble at her window. He took off his hat and clasped it in his hands as he gazed up nervously.
Moments later, Ruby opened the window. When her eyes found Bae, she looked about exasperatedly and said, "Bae, I clearly said—"
"I know, " he interrupted, eyes cast down. "You told me not to come but…"he took a deep breath and then looked back up at her, "I have a surprise for you."
