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or the wealth of information and seemingly
endless experiences in Evan"s life. Michelle even recalled Evan"s
first kiss, which took her by surprise. It came about a couple of
weeks after she gave him the birthday card. It was almost a half
year later now. As the late spring evenings lingered long after the
sundry shop closed, hardly a soul would pass the bench outside the
store. It was there that the first kiss took place. Evan and Michelle
never talked about their future because of Michelle"s young age.
There was never a compelling reason to rush anything. It suited
both lovers. Michelle sometimes worried that Evan would want someone his own age someday, but she was too much in love to
end the relationship over that particular insecurity.
“So Evan… tell me about your family. Where do you
live?” asked Mary.
“Well… uh… I don"t have a real family. That is to say… I
don"t have a biological family. Part of my compensation for
working at the sundry store is that I get room and board from the
Cacharellis. They own the store… a great couple.”
“Well, that"s nice of them. Do you mind if I ask what
happened to your parents? Your last name is Troy, isn"t it?” “Uh… yes it is. Well… um… I remember being very
young when my grandfather started taking care of me. Just before
he died, he talked to the Cacharellis… knew them well, in fact. He
was responsible for getting me the job. Then when he died, the
Cacharellis took me in.”
“You said you were very young when your grandfather
took care of you. Did you knowyour parents?”
“Uh… I really don"t remember them.”
“Are they alive?”
“Uh… no. No, they died somehow. Grandpa never really
divulgedthe details.” Evan got visibly uncomfortable. “I"m sorry if I pried,” said Mary. It must be painful not
knowing whathappened to your parents. You"re such a nice
young man. Your grandfather must have been a good influence on
you.”
Evan cleared his throat. “Yes… yes… he sure was. And
the Cacharellis also.” He paused. “And speaking of the
Cacharellis… I wanted to ask both you and Mr. Fleming
something. They are having a cookout in their yard, next door to
the store, this Sunday. Can Michelle be my guest? It would just
be a small way of thanking her for this wonderful meal.” “I think that Michelle is a bit young for dating, Mr. Troy,”
gruffed John.
“I"m sorry, sir. I wasn"t thinking of it as a date, especially
since it would be in my employer"s backyard. How about if Michelle just stops by the sundry shop after school on Monday and
I will treat her to one of myspecial ice cream sodas?”
“Oh, Daddy, that sounds great. Can I?”
John looked at Mary, who gave a reassuring smile and
simple nod. “I suppose so,” said John. “But make sure you do
your homework.”
“Oh, I will do it immediately after supper, Daddy. Thank
you, thank you. I love you.”
“Evan… I see that you ate all the vegetables. Would you
like some more,” asked Mary.
“Please, Mrs. Fleming. That would be great,” replied Evan. “Are you sure you don"t want more pot roast?”
“Oh… yes, Mrs. Fleming. I just don"t eat that much meat.
It"s healthier, you know... especially if you want to live a long,
healthy life. Once the arteries are clogged from years of eating too
much of the wrong things, there is no way of undoing the damage.
You did a great job on dinnerthough.”
Mary gave Evan an extra helping of vegetables and bread.
After the meal, the parents allowed Michelle to walk Evan to the
door. Evan wanted to plant a kiss on Michelle"s lips, thought the
cheek would be more appropriate considering Michelle"s father
was somewhere close by, and then settled on a shoulder tap so as
not to cause any grief for her. Then he said in a soft voice, “I"ll
make sure my shift ends when I buy you that soda.” Michelle
grinned widely, the smile that Evan fell in love with a year earlier.
There may have been no cookout, but there would still be a date.

II
December 12,