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

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 y

As Conor made his way up the stairs and along the walkway to his apartment, he found Yuri waiting outside. At fifteen, Yuri was still a bit short for his age, but was quickly maturing. Conor felt like he was a little brother he never had. “Conor! You’re home!” “What’s up Yuri? Everything ok?” “You are not going to believe this! Mr. Nuri managed to get me a spot at the Bayan Gaming Convention this weekend! He says mom can take me and I will be able to present the game! This is HUGE!!! All the top companies will be modeling the new games and systems there! If I can get one of them to like ‘Song of Dragons’, we could go multiplatform and, and…” “WHOA WHOA WHOA, slow down Yuri!” Conor chuckled, “I am excited for you. But take it one step at a time. I am thrilled you get to go to the convention but make sure before you make any decisions you talk to Mr. Nuri. His team knows how contracts work. Let them be the ones to negotiate anything, understand?”

Three o’clock came, and Conor clocked out from Jackson’s Furniture and made his way to Mr. Arroz’s Spice Emporium. As he came around the corner, the pungent aroma reminded him of the days he had spent recently working next door with Cara. He wondered briefly if she had a shift this afternoon. “Ah, Conor my boy! Come, come!” called an enthusiastic Mr. Arroz in a thick Pruarian accent. The jovial older man had always been kind to Conor and seemed thrilled to see him today. “Conor, that combination you suggested is selling like nothing I have ever had in my shop! You are truly Celia blessed! And that Mr. Nuri you introduced me to is already having orders placed for a shop near his headquarters!” Conor smiled at the darker-skinned Mr. Arroz, “I am thrilled. I am glad business is doing well for you. Mr. Nuri’s assistant said you might have some work for me?” “Ah, yes! Come!” he waved Conor over to a table he had set out for people passing by to sample spices. “I need someone here to watc

The next morning, Conor awoke to frigid winter air. Apparently, winter had finally come, but at least Jessica had let him keep his blanket today. From the kitchen, he heard Jessica preparing breakfast.            “Hurry up Conor. Don’t be late for Jackson’s! Remember Rent is due Friday!”            Conor rolled out of bed and showered before coming to the kitchen. When he arrived, Jessica had already left for work. He sighed and scrambled an egg, eating it right out of the pan before jogging to work himself. When he arrived, he found a glaring Mr. Matthews waiting for him.            “Care to explain why I have an irate client threatening to sue us after having an accident shortly after leaving our loading dock?”