Conor arrived home around noon and was surprised to see that Jessica was also home.
"Jess, what are you doing here? I thought you were at your dad's office today."
Jessica was sitting at their little dining table eating a salad, "I could ask you the same thing! Isn't today one of your shifts with the Grizlhut? And where were you last night? I never heard you come in."
Conor's face heated as he tried to decide how to explain. "Well... last night I ran into some legal trouble... I was framed while on a Pizza run.."
"WHAT!!! What the hell Conor!?"
"I am innocent! My lawyer can explain. Anyway, Pops wouldn't listen, he just knows the cops questioned me, so he canned me. Didn't even let me explain..."
"You got fired? Conor, we have rent due this week! Five days!"
"I know, I know! But I have a new job! A friend helped me talk to the general manager at Jackson furniture! I start tomorrow. And from what I hear, they normally pay better than what Pops was paying me. I will figure this out, Jess."
"Conor, I know you want to believe that, but... Five days. If we don't make rent, I... Conor, I will have to move back in with my parents. I can't keep this up." Jessica finished her lunch and got up to leave. "I am going back to the office. Conor... I hope you are serious about figuring something out. Friday the bills are due."
Conor watched his wife leave and felt like his whole world left with her.
'Peace, Child,' came a now increasingly familiar voice. Was he going mad? But with the voice came a mental image of Mr. Nuri sitting beside Abby Weiss. Wasn't Abby supposed to be in charge of an investment account for him? Perhaps there was a chance some of those funds would be available for him to use! Conor pulled out his phone and called Mr. Nuri.
"Yes, Mr. Brantley?
"Umm, I was wondering if... This is hard. Would Ms. Abby be able to see if there are any funds available? It seems we are a bit short on this month's rent."
There was a bit of a shocked pause before Mr. Nuri replied "Yes, of course. How much are you going to be needed and by when?"
"Umm. 4,000 copper dragons." Conor admitted sheepishly.
"Is that all? Hmm. Well, your accounts are new, but I will see what Abby can work out for you. When are you needing funds by?"
"The bills are due Friday. I have about 900 copper dragons this month and will see what I can earn this week, but I am likely to still be 2500 copper dragons short."
"I will have Abby Wiess begin working on this and see what we can provide. I will have her call you Thursday and verify what she has been able to secure."
"Thank you, Mr. Nuri. I know this was a tough ask."
"Of course, Mr. Brantley. Celia guide your way."
Conor hung up with a small glimmer of hope, but still a bit at a loss as to how the week would go. He was hopeful that his new job would provide some opportunities, but that didn't start until the morning. He decided to wander around town and perhaps look for something nice he could make for Jessica for diner.
As he strolled through town, he come to a local megastore. Things tended to be less expensive here and they carried many products from all over the kingdom. Conor wandered inside, hoping to be inspired. He strode down one of the aisles, an elderly old lady reached for something on the top shelf. She was so short she was practically climbing the shelves to try to grab a box. Conor rushed over and offered to help. A look of relief washed over the lady's face. "Thank you, young man. The one on the left please."
Conor easily grabbed the box of cereal and placed it in her cart. "No problem. Glad I could help."
The old lady smiled at him and said, "You are rare among young people these days. Most would not help an old lady even in a simple task such as this. May Celia bless you."
"And her blessing upon you as well ma'am." Just as Conor was about to continue on his way, a loud "HEHEM" sounded from behind him. He turned to find a woman with her arms folded, glaring at him. "Yes?"
"About TIME!" she barked.
"Umm, what?"
"Where are the pickled beets?"
"Umm... I don't know, I don't work here. Maybe on the canned food aisle two aisles over?"
"What do you mean you don't work here? I just saw you help that lady! Now find me the pickled beets or I will have you fired!"
Conor stared at the rather rotund woman in shock and then looked down at himself. He was wearing his khaki long pants and a black shirt, so he supposed he looked like someone employed somewhere, but.... This store had a uniform of black pants and white shirts... what was this lady on about? Trying to be diplomatic, Conor tried again, "Ma'am, I don't work here but I can try to help you find someone who does..."
"You kids are all so lazy and just don't want to work! Just show me where the pickled beets are, or I will see to it that you never work in the town again! I know people!"
At that Conor was a bit annoyed. He was desperate for money these days and if he made the wrong person mad, it could spell disaster. He decided to start looking for someone who did work here and perhaps he would find the damn beats along the way. Sure enough, along the next aisle, the can of pickled beets was on the end cap. Conor handed it to the lady who just stared at him and said, "but I wanted the Jinkins brand, not the Willerton!"
"Ma'am, I don't work here. There is what the store has, now have a nice day." Conor turned to leave but was startled when an iron grip latched onto his arm and spun him around. SLAP!
"How DARE you walk away from me young man! You ungrateful, lazy ass. You think just because you are on break, you don't have to help me! I will see to it that you are fired! Come on! We are going to find your manager!"
Conor was in utter shock that he had just been slapped by this woman! The lady's screeching had already attracted the store's manager who came running with a security guard in tow.
"WHAT is going on?" the manager demanded.
"She just slapped me!" a stunned Conor stammered.
"Ma'am, did you just slap this gentleman?" asked the Manager
"Your employee is lazy and refused to help me find what I was looking for! I want him fired, NOW! No, actually I want him black-listed from all of your stores!"
"Umm, ma'am, he doesn't work here."
"Good!" she turned to Conor and stuck a finger in his face. "See, this is what you get for not helping me and walking away! Now you are without a job!"
"No, Ma'am. This gentleman has never worked for me that I am aware of, in this store or any other. He is just a customer. If you assaulted him, I am afraid it is you who is banned and likely also under arrest." Said the manager sternly, starting to understand what was happening.
The lady looked at the manager and security guard like they had grown a second head. "Of course he works here. I watched him help that old lady."
"I helped her cause she was nice, Dammit! And that was the NICE thing to do! Dammit woman, do I really look like I am in the store uniform?" Conor demanded, now furious.
The woman slowly looked at Conor, then at the manager, finally noticing another employee who had wandered over at the sound of the commotion, and her face paled. "I... I... I..."
"Ma'am, you need to come with me." Said the security guard. "The city guard will want to see you. Mister, if you want to press charges, I am sure they will be happy to take your statement shortly."
Conor just nodded, holding his now stinging cheek. The manager came over and looked him over. "No blood. Are you sure you are ok?"
"I will be but, that banshee does need to see the guard. I will gladly give my statement and leave them my lawyer's information," Conor said.
At the mention of a lawyer, the manager's eyes went a bit wide. "I totally understand sir. If the store can do anything to make this right with you... I can assure you that she will be banned from here. And you know what... umm I can also offer you a voucher worth a whole silver dragon! How does that sound?"
Conor was startled but pleased he would now be able to afford a nice meal for Jessica without touching the meager funds they had left. "Yes, of course. That should be fine. I appreciate that. If you would be able to help me find the ingredients for a nice romantic meal, that is what I really came in for and could use some help picking out."
The manager smiled at this. "I know just the recipe! Follow me, sir."
A while later, Conor found himself heading home, laden down with groceries. The manager had been generous indeed and must have had a knack for romantic evening suggestions because he had made some excellent suggestions and made sure Conor had everything he would need. The city guard had been waiting near the registers and after a quick word from the manager, they took Conor's statement and one of Mr. Nuri's cards. When they saw the name on the card, the two guardsmen grinned and bowed to Conor. "It will be our pleasure to serve and get this menace out of your life."
Conor wasn't sure what that was all about, but he was pleased that the guards felt they would be able to do something with the woman. Clearly, she needed help and was not safe to be left in society.
Conor arrived home and set about preparing dinner. He started with a shrimp bisque bourbon soup, followed by a shrimp scampi. The smell of roasting garlic filled the kitchen as he worked. He placed two candles the store manager had provided on their small table and laid out a nice dining set. Everything looked set. He only hoped Jessica would actually be home on time tonight.
Jessica walked in just as Conor set steaming bowls of soup on the table.
"You made diner again?" Jessica sounded pleased but anxious. "Conor, this is really nice, but... we don't have the money for this!"
"Ha... well actually that is a funny story. Sit, and I will tell you about my adventure." Conor recounted his trip to the store and how the manager had given them a voucher for the food. "I was even able to get some stuff for later in the week with the remainder."
"Oh, your poor face! That witch really did a number! I suppose your new look at least made you presentable enough she assumed you were staff... but not even being in the uniform... that is just so hard to imagine anyone doing that and being so brash!" Jessica commented, brushing a gentle hand on his cheek.
"I never realized people were that entitled. Even running Celia's Blessing, I don't remember having clients like that." Conor instantly knew he had said something wrong. Jessica's face turned cold and she retracted her hand.
"Let's just enjoy this nice meal, Conor, and not mention that store," Jessica said, a dark cloud hovering at the memory of Conor's failed business.
"Of course. And Jess, things are about to shift for the better. I can feel it. It's right around the corner. This is just the first step." Conor tried to make her understand his sincerity and desire to improve.
"I hope you are right, Conor. I hope you are right." Jessica said.
Conor watched as she took another bite, but the expression she worn now seemed tired and unsure.
The meal ended in peaceful silence, and the couple washed dishes together. It was the most time they had spent in close proximity in a long time. While Conor cherished every moment of it, he could tell that Jess was only going through the motions tonight.
Finally, Jessica declared she was turning in for the night. "I have to be up early tomorrow for several meetings at the office. Thank you for diner, Conor. It was really nice. And Conor... Good luck this week with the new job. I hope it works out..." she quietly slid into her room and gently shut the door.
Conor's heart fluttered as he watched that door close, but he was full of hope. He had just five days left to make things happen. He was determined to make Jessica proud and ensure their future. One way or another he would make that happen. He would take the first step, and the next if that is what it took.