Robert's ears roared as the assistant to the foreman of Fletcher & Sons Construction informed him and other workmen that they would not be paid until after Thanksgiving.
"You bastard!" Robert bellowed together with his colleagues at the assistant. His nostrils flared as he fisted one hand and punched his open palm with it. He watched as his fellow workmen in unison railed expletives at the absent management.
"Look, I'm sorry guys. Don't shoot the messenger….," the assistant tried to explain why the management was unable to pay the workmen their two weeks' wages before Thanksgiving weekend.
"Shut up, Lewis!" One of the men shouted back. "You tell Greg and Sam Fletcher that our union rep will be here to see them after thanksgiving."
"Yea! Tell them that. Such heartless dudes…" Another workman spurted while Robert dusted his newsboy cap and put it on. Chest heaving, he did not have the energy for any more outbursts. It would not solve the problem at hand —putting food on his table for Thanksgiving.
It was a cold night and the dark sky was beautifully studded with glittering stars. Robert stood and gazed at the sky, wishing he could take his dear wife, Madelaine, to a fine restaurant for dinner. She deserved that and more, having been married for forty-one years. Yet she never stopped loving him.
He wished he could give her the world but things never seem to work out the way he wanted. He shook his head in sadness and trudged to the supermarket where they'd both agreed to meet and buy some vegetables.
How would he explain to her that they were not paid and would have to nibble on the little they had at home to make it through the weekend?
The supermarket was a little crowded with people making last-minute purchases before Thanksgiving. Beside an Audi R8 coupe, Madelaine stood talking and laughing with a man about his age, good-looking with grey hair at his temple, dressed in a sleek black tuxedo.
For a second, Robert wondered if Madelaine had changed her mind and found another man. Well, she would be better off and he won't hold it against her, he thought in self-pity.
She turned at that moment to meet his eyes and held them for a second. Like she could read his thoughts. He smiled hesitantly. She grinned and waved her hand for him to come closer.
"Rob darling, this is Jeffery Mann," Madelaine made the introductions. "Jeffrey, meet my husband, Robert."
The two men shook hands. "Your wife is one strong woman…," Jeffery started to say.
"Oh please, stop with the flattery," Madelaine chuckled.
"Eh, how did you two meet?" Robert asked.
"My wife and I are new in town for the holiday and we were on our way to Springs Prime for our anniversary dinner when we missed our way. Thankfully, your wife was on her way here and stopped to help."
"Congrats. Happy anniversary," Robert said and pulled Madelaine to himself. "Is your wife here now?"
"Yes, she ran into the supermarket to get some things."
"Darling, they have been married for forty years. Just a year shy of ours," Madelaine said.
"A ruby anniversary! That is very special and worth celebrating." Robert said.
"Thank you, Robert. That's the reason we took this trip. You know what? Why don't you both join us?" Jeffery offered.
"No, no," Robert and Madelaine answered simultaneously. "It's your day. We can't intrude."
"Please, I insist. You are the first nice people my wife and I have genuinely connected with and it will mean a lot if you are part of our special day." Jeffery put his hand on his chest. "Let's go to Springs Prime together. Separate tables of course. Don't say no, please."
Robert and Madelaine looked at each other and nodded.
"Great!" Jeffery said happily. Just then his wife, a petite brunette, walked out of the supermarket to join them.
At Springs Prime, the finest restaurant in town, after ordering their meal, Robert stretched out his hand, palm up while Madelaine smiled with so much love in her eyes as she slipped her hand into his.
"Do you want to know something?" Robert asked, his eyes moist with tears.
"Tell me, darling."
"I had no hope on my way to meet you but I made a flimsy wish borne from fantasy…and somehow, it came true."
Madelaine gripped his hand tight. "I guess wishes do come true then."
I hope you enjoyed reading this short story. It is my response to The Ink Well Prompt #82 inspired by the prompt "wishbone".
