Most of the time they worked in silence together, both wondering what the other was thinking.  Mark was a tall figure, only an inch shy of six feet, while Suzy was only an inch higher than five. 

The first time Mark saw Suzy was three and a half years before, when she was first hired at the deli.  At that time, he had been working there for a year, and had been promoted to the manager position.  Suzy was the most faithful person to ever be a part of his staff.

Mark admired Suzy.  For she was always on time, never called in sick, and always did everything as well as it could be done.  Unbeknownst to her, there were times Mark looked upon her with the greatest admiration he had ever had for anyone.  But lately, there were certain other things creeping around in his mind about Suzy, which Mark had been trying to ignore. 

Mark recalled one night about three months earlier.  It was Suzy's birthday, and Mark had bought her a present.  Upon giving the present to her, Mark was met with several seconds of silence.  Then suddenly he became aware that Suzy's eyes were full of tears.

Later, after composing herself, she went back to thank him and apologize.  Mark told her it was perfectly okay, but the more she continued to apologize to him, the more he wanted to know what had brought her to so many tears in the beginning.  But Mark knew Suzy was in a delicate state, and he wanted to be as gentle as he could with her feelings, so he didn't demand an explanation.

Mark was moving up North in a couple more weeks.  But over the course of the last three months, his concern for Suzy only grew deeper and deeper, to the point he felt as though he were responsible for whatever happened to her. 

Today was the day Mark let Suzy know that he was going to be moving away.  She looked into his eyes and gave him the best smile she could and told him she was happy for him; however there was a strange fear and disappointment written all over her face.  Something is going on here, Mark thought to himself.  And he was not about to move away until he knew what it was.

As they were leaving the store that night, after Mark and Suzy closed up shop, Mark took Suzy aside, just outside the door of the grocery store.

"Listen..."  He told her.  She looked desperately into his eyes; she knew it was wrong but she couldn't help it.  She needed him.  She needed him so badly.  She didn't know how in the world she was supposed to tell him.  She tightened her abdominal muscles, part to hold back her raging feelings, and part in response to the freezing drizzle in the air.  Mark continued, "you don't have to answer this question, but I am going to ask you anyway."

"Go ahead," she said, her voice trembling. 

"Would you tell me if there was something going on?"    Suzy looked a bit confused.  "Ever since your birthday I've just..." Mark sighed.  "I've been worried about you."  There she stood, only two feet away, but she still seemed miles away from anyone who cared.

Suzy's throat tightened up.  "My... Um, my..."  Mark took Suzy's shivering body into his arms.  Suzy put her arms inside his coat.  He was warm.  "It's..." Suzy sighed.  "My... boyfriend..."

Mark hesitated.  Suzy sniffled.  It was apparent she was crying.  "He didn't do anything for me for my birthday," she whispered.  Her crying intensified.  He tightened his grip on Suzy.  She continued to shiver. A minute passed.  Finally she whispered something else through her tears.  "I can't take it tonight..."

"You can't take what?" Mark's pulse quickened.

"I just... can't take it... not tonight," she repeated, her face buried in Mark's chest.  Mark had a feeling he knew what she was talking about.  How could anyone do it? Mark thought to himself.  Suzy was such a gentle, fragile being...  This could not be happening. 

"Suzy," Mark whispered, stifling his own tears.  He sniffled in response to the cold.  "Come stay at my place tonight.  Please," as these words came out of his mouth, Suzy froze, firmly grasping him with every bit of strength she could manage. 

Several more seconds passed...  And finally she looked up into his eyes. "You don't mind?" Suzy asked him. 

"Suzy all I've done for the last three months was worry about you.  Why didn't you tell me sooner?"  Mark wiped her tears away. 

"I'm sorry," she said.  "I didn't think I would be anything but a burden to you."  Mark's eyes filled with tears, too. 

"Oh, Suzy," he murmured, "look, I know this sounds a little forward.  But..." He hesitated, but not for long.  "I can see myself spending the rest of my life with you."  Suzy let go and turned away. 

"Please Mark, don't... Don't..."  Tears began to fall again.  "I have nothing to offer you.  Don't do this.  I'll be okay, just go...  Please, Mark..." She began to walk out to her car.  Mark followed her out into the parking lot and reached out, touching her on her shoulder.  She turned to him.  "Mark," she started, "don't get me thinking a miracle is about to happen if it's not...  You deserve better than this...  Just let me go home and get what's coming to me."

Mark erupted.  "No!" He stepped between her and the car door.  "Suzy just look at me, please."  She forced herself to look up into his eyes.  "Suzy, you have given me something to look forward to every single day for the last three and a half years."  Tears crashed down his tormented face.  "I don't regret one minute of the time I have spent with you."

Many seconds of silence passed.  Finally, she slowly approached him; and he brought himself down into her, and their lips softly touched, soaked by their tears.

Suzy thought this had to be a dream, but when she opened her eyes, Mark was still there.  And she was still safe in his arms.  It was the only place in the world where she felt at peace.  "Come with me," he begged.  "Come live with me up North." 

Suzy quickly nodded.  "Yes... Yes... Yes..."  She repeated the word seven times.  Together in each other's arms, they proceeded to Mark's pickup, totally oblivious to the cheers and hoots and hollers delivered by their co-workers from the front door of the grocery store.