[b]*SPONGEBOB NARRATOR VOICE: TWO WEEKS LATER*[/b]

Ezra was making his way down to the sidewalk to one of the customers house holding a box of fresh bread and some lunch meat on the house. This guy had been the first customer his family ever had so they treated him like family. If it hadn't been for his raving review of their bakery their name would have never gotten out to the other towns. He walked up the stoop leading to the door and knocked lightly. It took a little bit before Jeremiah answered the door. 

"Good evening, sir. Pa and Ma send their regards. The shop is a little busy today, which is why I cam instead," Ezra said with a smile as he walked into the mans house and placed the items on the small table.

Jeremiah nodded, "It's okay boy. I enjoy seeing you. It seems like just yesterday you were only this high," he said gesturing a couple inches above his knee. 

Ezra laughed. Jeremiah was like an uncle to him. He'd played with his own children back when he was growing up, but they were older than Ezra so they'd been long gone by now. He'd seem them every once in a while during holidays but Jeremiah lived mostly by himself. Ezra gave a nod and collected the money, a little extra than normal. Jeremiah was always a guy to tip no matter how little he had. With a wave goodbye Ezra began the 30 minute walk to meet Marta.


Atalia was standing by a bench just outside of their neighborhood. Her dark brown hair went down her back tied up in a braid with little whisp of hair framing her face. Her brown eyes were fierce as she looked at her small watch waiting for Marta to show up. This was usually where she met Ezra, but today he had an errand to run so Marta would be waiting a little bit longer. Just thinking the name made Atalia angry. Ezra had been promised to her, and she wouldn't let some rich Christian girl take him away. Since they were kids they'd been groomed for each other.

She saw the other girl looming in the distance and she stood tall as her light blue dress blew slightly in the wind. "Marta!" she called with a small smile. She'd be nice first, but she wouldn't keep it up if the girl didn't understand. She had no idea of their life or their religion. You couldn't just go back on an arrangement, especially with her family.