Good Intentions

Two people meet under suspicious circumstances.

Joe glanced nervously through the front window of his butcher shop before pulling the shade closed.
“They know too much. Of course, I mean about us!”
Mary blinked in confusion. “What do you mean?”
Joe lowered his voice. “I suspect they got together and made a list.”
Mary folded her arms. “You know this for a fact?”
“Well… no. But how else would they have decided that we should meet?”
She thought for a moment, then nodded slowly. “I see your point. That makes sense. In fact, if I remember correctly, the last couple of weeks they kept asking me questions. Favorite food, favorite activities… even verifying my birth date.”
Joe pointed an accusing finger toward Main Street.
“I guess that’s why they told me I should take you to a Polynesian restaurant.”
Mary’s eyes widened. “Yeah… and they told me I should suggest we go roller skating after.”
The realization settled over them like a storm cloud.
“You know,” Joe muttered, “this setup isn’t even about what we want.”
“It’s not?”
“No. This is about a business merger. Combining my butcher shop and your delicatessen.”
Mary frowned. “And why is that so important to them?”
Joe leaned closer.
“Because the supermarket is coming.”
Silence filled the room.
“They’ve heard it’s opening by Christmas,” he continued. “A giant place with groceries, fresh meat, baked goods… everything under one roof. What more could you ask for in 1949.”
Mary’s shoulders slumped. “So they figured if we joined forces first, we’d stand a chance.”
Joe smiled faintly.
“They weren’t playing matchmaker.”
Mary reached for his hand.
“They were trying to save two family businesses. Nothing more!”
Joe squeezed her fingers and grinned.
“Funny thing is… they may have accidentally started something even better than a merger. The prospect of love."
WC 298