Did You Buy Her Flowers?

Here is what happened last time on Chasing The Moment

As I wake up and head to the kitchen for my last day at work, I meet my mom is in the kitchen as she is getting ready for work. My dad comes in, and we joke around a little before my mom drops me off at work. Benjamin, my co-worker, and friend remind me of a party and that I need to join the party as it will be our last one together.

The boss peeks his head out of his office and says;

"Ethan. My office, now!"

Benjamin let me go and says;

"Shit, dude. Normally it's me that's in trouble. What did you do?"

I look at him surprised and say;

"Nothing. Well, I hope so, anyway."

Benjamin nudges with his head to his office and says;

"You need to go. You know that the boss doesn't like to repeat himself."

"Fine."

As I walk away, Benjamin says;

"If it has to do with the painting, just pretend that you know nothing, okay?"

"What painting?"

"That is perfect, dude. Now go on."

I keep walking to the boss's office. I get to the door and knock, and I hear him saying;

"Come."

I walk in, and he sits behind his desk while looking at me through his glasses while saying;

"Mr. Hansley. Come, have a seat."

"Thank you, sir."

"Come now, Ethan. You can call me by my name, Rob."

"Okay. Rob."

As I sit down, and he asks;

"So, Ethan. How many colleges did you apply to?"

"All eight Ivy League colleges, sir."

"How many did you get into?"

"All eight, sir."

"Really? All eight?"

"Yes, sir."

"Impressive. Anyway, you must be wondering why I called you in here. So, Ethan. I must be honest and tell you that I am sorry that you are leaving us."

"Wow, thank you, sir. I mean, Rob. I did not expect you to say that. It means a lot to me to hear you say something like that."

"You have been an excellent employee to me for the last few years. Not that I can say the same for your friend out there."

I smile at him, knowing how he and Benjamin had some tough times in this store. He continues;

"So, my wife and I talked last night and came to a decision. We decided to give you a small bonus because of everything you did for us."

He hands me an envelope, and I take it from him and say;

"Really? This bonus is amazing. Thank you so much!"

"I have also put your weekly paycheck also in there."

"Wow, thank you, sir. I don't know how to thank you."

He looks at me and replies;

"That is a weird skill to be lacking, Ethan. Anyway, you can work half-day today as I am sure you have some packing to get to and some loose ends to tie up before you leave."

"Wow, thank you so much, sir."

He gets up from his chair and holds out his hand. Seeing what he is doing, I get off my chair and shake his hand. He pulls me in closer and says;

"Please, for the love of god. Go to college and have some fun."

I nod while replying;

"I promise, I will."

"Good. Now get out of here, call your friend in here. I want to find out what happened to the painting."

I smile at Rob and walk out of his office. Benjamin sees me exiting the office and walks up to me, and asks;

"So? What did he want?"

"He gave me my paycheck early?"

Benjamin crosses his arms over his chest and says;

"Pfft, as if he would really do something like that."

"No, he did. See for yourself." I take out the envelope from my pocket and show it to him.

Benjamin starts rubbing his hands together while saying;

"Okay. That means I am also getting mine."

"Don't be so sure of that fact, Benji."

"Why?"

"When I left his office, he told me to call you in as he wants to know what happened to his painting."

Benjamin looks at me, shocked. The boss peeks out of his office again and says;

"Benjamin. I don't have all day. Get in here."

As Benjamin starts walking away, I mimic the stereotypical archvillain's triumphant laugh;

"Bwah-hah-hah."

The rest of the day goes by so quickly. I almost forgot that I am only working half-day. I walk to the bosses office, knock on his door, and he says;

"Come."

I walk in, and he says;

"It's time already?"

"Yes, sir."

"Well then, Ethan. You enjoy yourself, you hear."

"I will, and thanks again for this." I wave the envelope in the air, and he replies;

"It's a pleasure. Send my regards to your parents."

"I will."

I walk out, and Benjamin asks me;

"Leaving early, I see."

"Yeah, sorry. The boss gave me off."

"Are you coming to the party tonight at Christian's house?"

"Yeah, I don't know."

"You have to come. It's our last night here together. Come on, Ethan."

"I will try to make it."

"Yes! That is what I want to hear."

"Cool, see you later."

We fist bump, and I walk out of the store. As I stand on the sidewalk, I take a deep breath while looking around, thinking I am now free. My new life awaits. But first, I need to get home and text Lexi and confirm our reservation for tonight.

I signal a cab, and he takes me home. I arrive and see that my dad's truck is standing in the driveway. I walk in the front door and say;

"Dad? Dad, are you here?"

"Yeah. In the garage."

I walk to him and ask;

"What are you doing here?"

"I am picking up some supplies before I go to my next stop. I could ask you the same thing."

"Rob gave me the rest of the day off."

"Nice. Put it there." He holds out his fist and waits for me to pound it. I ask him;

"Really, dad?"

"What? Is fist-pounding not hip anymore? What is it nowadays?"

"Dad, you talking about what's hip? Now that is insane. You know that people don't use the word hip anymore?"

"Really? I liked the word, hip."

I shale my head in disbelief and say;

"Well, while you are wondering about the word hip in the garage. I am going to take a shower and get myself ready for my date."

"We have our very own Mr. Casanova. You know, Ethan. When I was your age, man, we had a lot, and I mean a lot of fun. Your mom was a firecracker."

"Thank you, dad. I was not enquiring at all what you did when you were younger. There is some information that a kid does not need to know, and what you thought was hip and what you did with mom is definitely in that category of I don't want to know."

My dad laughs as I start walking away. He screams after me;

"See you later."

I wave over my shoulder as I walk back into the house. I receive a text message. I take out my phone and see it is from Lexi that says;

"Can't wait for tonight. See you later. Mwah"

I reply back;

"I was just about to call you. I also can't wait. See you at seven."

I call the restaurant to confirm our appointment for tonight. Once the appointment has been confirmed, I start packing up my room until it is almost time to get ready. I take a quick shave, hop in the shower and get dressed for our dinner date.

I hear my dad and mom in the kitchen talking. I go to the kitchen to get the car keys for my date. As I walk in, my mom, sitting at the table with a glass of wine in her hand. She looks at me up and down and says;

"Wow, look at you. I take it you are ready for the big date?"

"Yes, I am."

My dad, leaning against the counter, asks;

"Did you call Lexi and remind her about your date?"

"Really, dad? We are going to play twenty questions now?"

My mom tells me;

"Just let him continue. He will tire himself out."

"Did you call Lexi or not?"

"Yes, dad. I did."

"Did you call the restaurant and confirm the appointment for tonight?"

I take a deep breath and say;

"Yes."

"Do you have your money?"

"Yes."

"Did you buy her flowers?"

"No, I am about to stop at the shop before I pick her up. Speaking about me driving, I still don't have my car yet to pick her up with."

Mom takes a sip of her wine, smiles at me, and says;

"Take my car. Keys are in my handbag on the counter."

"Thanks, mom."

She looks at my dad suspiciously and asks;

"Brad, did you call the mechanic like you said you would?"

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