WIP

The sun was peeking over the horizon like a young child peering over a fence watching their older sibling doing naughty things with the next door neighbor. Nancy and Becky were already in the bakery getting ready to open for the day. Becky stood bent over the hearth of the fireplace in the rear of the bakery setting wood and tinder in it. All of the sudden there came a sharp rap at the stores front door.
“We don’t open for another twenty minutes,” Becky shouted at the early morning riser without looking over her shoulder.
“Frank?” Nancy sounded astonished.
“What is he doing here it isn’t the end of the month yet,” Becky said with a frown, “We’ve got a week yet.”
“Come in come in,” Nancy said rushing to the door, “to what do I owe this pleasant surprise?” Coming in and taking off a black fedora that complimented his usual black shirt. He took off his black and gray pinstriped jacket and folded it under his arm. He graciously thanked Nancy for letting him in and flashed the smile that made Nancy’s heart thump more rapidly in her chest.
“I was wondering Nancy,” Frank said quickly, and then changed his tone abruptly to that of a schoolboy in trouble, “I’m sorry is this too early? I can come back later.” He said very quickly.
“No Frank it’s no trouble at all, what can I do for you?” Nancy said returning his smile.
“Well I was wondering, I hope that I’m not overstepping my boundaries. But I was wondering, if you are not too busy tonight, would you like to have dinner with me?”
Her cheeks warming immediately Nancy responded “Of cour-.” But was cut off by Becky clearing her throat and giving a stringent look to Nancy, like that of sister trying firmly to warn her sibling of something she aught not do.
Without any heed to Becky’s warning or hesitation Nancy replied firmly, “I would love to.” Nancy was not sure why she took Frank up on his offer. And she hoped she hadn’t sound too eager. What are you doing! She thought to herself, He is a mobster! Continuing her inner argument with herself she replied, But there has to be something more behind that hard exterior. I just know it.
“Mom its time for me to go to school!” a shout came from behind the cash register breaking Nancys’ inner battle. Following his voice out into the seating area of the bakery Christian came, with his bright red backpack and his orange and blue striped gloved hands wrapped around a steaming cup of hot chocolate.
“Excuse me sir, but we don’t open for another twenty minutes,” Christian said firmly, promptly stepping next to his mothers side. Before Nancy could speak, Frank had already begun to answer the boy.
“Is that so?” Frank said his eyes shining. “I woke up extra early to come down here and be the first in line to see your mother. But if you would like I could wait outside.” Then unfolding his coat, and throwing it over his shoulder, Frank made his way to the door.
Christian piped up immediately, “Well I guess you are already in the store, what can I get for you?” He then ran behind the counter and assumed the position of cashier. With his nose, bright green eyes, and blue beanie peeking over the counter like the sun over the horizon, he patiently waited for Frank’s order. Frank smiled and strolled over to the counter. After taking off his coat he rested one elbow on the counter and put his face closer to the cash register.
“Hello sir, my name is Chris, what can I get for you today?”
“Well hello Chris, my name is Frank, and there are so many choices, what would you choose?”
See. Nancy thought, there is more to him than meets the eye. This might have not been a bad decision after all.
After Frank ordered a hot chocolate and two macadamia nut cookies, one for himself and one for Christian, Christian invited Frank to walk with him and his mom to school.