First Day on the Job

Jacob awoke to the sun shining on his face. He looked around and didn't recognize the place.

Mary Sue was brushing her hair and gave him a grin, "Good Morning."

When Jacob realized he swore, he grabbed for his clothes on the floor, started throwing them on as he made for the door.

"I'm sorry Mary Sue for running out on you. But I'm late for work alright!"

"Can I expect to see you tonight?"

"I don't know just yet Mary Sue. Have a nice day."

"You too."

Jacob's head pounded and the room did spin, as into his boots, he shoved his feet in.

I'm never drinking again.

He paused at the door to make sure the coast was clear. The last thing he needed was for someone to see him leave here. He longed for some coffee and to sleep the day away but neither of those would pay.

As he made it to the forge, he wondered what to say to Petra. To explain this away.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Petra was pounding out a bent shoe when in walk her newest employee. "I thought I told you, I start early."

BANG! BANG! BANG!

The pounding of her hammer rung through his head. An entire day of this and he'll wish he were dead.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

"Next time you're late don't bother to come back. I need someone who's focused to keep all fingers and toes intact."

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Jacob reached out and touched her hand causing her to stop. She finally looked up at him and it caused her jaw to drop.

"What happened to you? You look like hell!"

The heat of this place left him not feeling so well.

"You were fine when I left the Gala last night. What did you do get into another drunken fight?"

Jake went to answer but the bile rose up. He rushed out the door in order to throw-up.

Petra took off her apron and hung it on a hook. Knowing that sound she really didn't want to look. She grabbed a rag and wiped his lips. His stomach lurched again. He bent over at the hips

"Best get it out, Jake. How much did you drink for heaven's sake?"

He couldn't answer. Again she wiped his lips. Finally, his stomach settled allowing him to get a grip.

This was certainly not the impression he wished to make on his first day. Petra handed him some water, which he swished in his mouth before spitting it into the hay.

Petra handed him a bottle Of some foul-smelling stuff. "Drink It!" she demanded rather rough.

"What is it?" Jacob wanted to know

"AJ's Hang Over Remedy. I always keep it in supply. Don't want anyone riding off half-cocked. Now go on and swallow."

It smelled bad, it tasted worse. Jake guzzled it down and let out a curse.

Petra laughed at him before saying, "Okay let's begin."

"You still expect me to work?"

"Well, you haven't earned any sick pay? So follow me, this way."

Petra led him back into the forge. It wasn't nearly as stifling as it was before. She grabbed a leather apron, placing it over his head. For a second Jacob thought she was trying to hug him but she was trying to tie it in place instead.

Petra put on her own placed the shoe back in the flame. She pulled it out and asked, "So what's her name?"

"Who?"

"The girl you slept with to get over your frustrations of not sleeping with Rue?"

He wondered how she knew. She held the shoe in place. 

Showing him where to hit he wondered how he could save face.

With each pound he expected his head to reject the sound but found he was just fine.

"Rue slept with Billy last night," he said to buy some time.

Petra put the shoe back in the fire. "That doesn't sound right."

"I came back from the Gala to see Ruechari.  I was told she's spending the night with Billy in Tent City by Jujube."

"You big Dummy! That doesn't mean Ruechari slept with Billy. She may have had business with her tribe. Tent City is dangerous at night and Billy probably chose to stay by her side."

"So if that were the case, then why didn't Jujube just say that to my face?" Jacob threw the apron off with haste. He grabbed some water with a frown, then did guzzle it down.

"Because it's Rue's business that's why. And you automatically assumed she slept with a guy?" came Petra's reply. She shook her head with a sigh.

"What else could it mean?  Why'd she stay out all night with Billy? Petra, Rue promised me, she wouldn't spend her evening with Billy. And especially after she kissed me...."

"So let me guess, you thought Rue could care less about you and decided to drink yourself to death?"

Jacob let out a deep breath, "Something like that. I put a lot of time and effort into making her Christmas special. And I really thought when she looked at me,  for once she wasn't thinking of Billy..."

Jacob knew he'd said too much. It seemed corny and not so tough. But Petra placed a hand on his arm. "Talk to Billy he can set the record straight go on home but remember tomorrow you best not be late."

Jacob pondered Petra's suggestion but it did beg the question, "Could he chat with Billy without getting into a fight?" He certainly had questions alright. And not just about what happened last night with Rue, but also involving Brandy and Lou.

Jacob had lots of time to debate his next move, even though his body felt tired and bruised. Try as he may, that night he couldn't snooze.

He tried to give Rue the benefit of the doubt. He needed the truth to be found out but the more he thought about Billy and Rue the more he became angry and bitter too.

Josie was sound asleep, and out his door, he did creep. Down to the room of Mary Sue. To help him forget about Rue.

She let him in no question or hesitation, but fully sober made Jacob question the situation. She poured him a glass of wine before she started to undress, wanting to get right down to it he did guess.

Last night they'd both been lonely and had too much to drink, but now his mind was clear enough to think. What if nothing had happened between Billy and Rue? And even if his suspicions were true, sleeping with Mary Sue wasn't the right thing to do.

Dammit he swore, he'd probably regret this decision, but going through with it, he'd only hate himself more.

He sat the glass of wine on the table near the bed, "Mary Sue?" he said, "I'm not going to tell you last night was a mistake. But for Heaven's sake, you deserve better than this. A man who will court you properly and treat you right. Not just someone to spend the night. You're lonely and it wouldn't be right. And I need you to understand, that I am not that man."

Mary Sue walked over to him, gave him a sad grin, "It's okay. I don't mind. I'm a grown woman. It was my idea for this to begin. I'm not expecting a wedding band. Or even a date I understand.."

She started to kiss him then, but to it, Jacob put an end.

"But you should have those things from a man Mary Sue. From one who truly loves you. I don't want you to feel ashamed, because, for this, I'm too blame. You deserve better than this, better than me. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to leave. Please don't take it personally. You are a great girl indeed, someday, you find what you need."

She laughed, "Usually I get this speech after together we have laid. I thought you men were all the same. But now who is the tease? I guess you got somewhere else to be. Just leave."

"I'm sorry Mary Sue. I apologize, I truly do. But it's not to another woman's bed I now go, I'll have you know. Goodnight."

Jacob felt badly indeed, but he couldn't stop thinking about Ruechari.

It wasn't fair to Mary Sue, and she claimed it didn't bother her, though he doubted that was true.

He took a deep breath as he exited the room...

Little did he know he wasn't the only one who couldn't sleep. Her footsteps stilled so as not to make a peep. Only when Jacob was back in his room did she move again, thinking...

"Oh Jacob, no."