“So how did your exam go?” Alexei asks me later as we attend Service Day with his soon-to-be employer.

“I think it went well. The examiner seemed nice enough.”

“Good,” his smile threatens to break his face in half, “because I’ve officially accepted the position here. They are providing a bonus to allow me to build a house for a family. They say it’s because they are a family company and like to show their employees are following government mandate, but I just don’t care why. I’m so excited to have everything set up to finally have something to offer you.”

He talks so fast, I cannot get a word in. But when he finally lets me say something, all that comes out is, “You already have something to offer me.”

He smiles, and his face reddens as we walk together towards the field where we will be working. If we were any closer, we would violate several laws at once. At this point, I’m pretty sure I don’t care, but I know I need to keep it together. If he breaks any more laws, he will almost certainly lose this position.

I’m acutely aware that this afternoon is another test. And that the test is for me. This company wants to be seen as compliant where the governments familial rules are concerned. That means they aren’t just hiring Alexei, they are also hiring me. Because where there are events to attend, I will be there, and when there are guests for Alexei to entertain, I will be in charge.

I really hope it isn’t possible to pass out and throw up at the same time. I’m not sure I can take another test today. Oh well, might as well get them all out of the way at once.

“Hello, Mr. Giovanti,” Alexei firmly shakes the man’s hand, “I believe you are not yet acquainted with my companion, Maria.”

“It is a pleasure,” the small man shakes my hand, “I am so glad you have decided to join us today. We are very excited to be creating appropriate play materials for the area’s children.”

“I’m very pleased that you have allowed me to help,” I smile, too, though it is not because of what he says. I am thankful for all the practice I’ve had with entertaining Dad’s associates.

The way Mr. Giovanti exchanges looks with Alexei, I am certain that I have passed the first test.

Alexei and I follow Mr. Giovanti over to a small table under a tent.

“This is where you will work,” he says, looking at me. “The toys will need some colour when they are finished!”

He points to the paints on the table. I’m not much of a painter. I hope the children don’t mind too much, because I don’t think there’s an option for me to say no.

“I think they will look lovely with colour,” I smile politely, despite myself. “I will get started as soon as possible.”

With that, he directed Alexei to the woodworking area where he was to be creating the toys. He is going to do that so well. It’s right in his skill set. Well, at least the toys will work right, even if they are hideously painted.

I set off to work on a small rocking horse, sneaking a look at Alexei as often as I could without getting us in trouble. On at least two occasions, I caught him looking at me, too.

When all the toys are crafted and painted, Mr. Giovanti complements Alexei and I on our work ethic and then turns to speak directly to me, “I do hope you will join us later this week at the party.”

I don’t have a way out of it, so I must accept “I would be delighted to attend. Thank you for the invitation.”

It is already later than I should be out, so I make my own way home after promising to tell Alexei about the results of my exam. That man might be the only person more anxious than I am about the results of my exams.

I spend the rest of the evening smiling to myself about Alexei and his new position while simultaneously worrying about whether or not I had passed my exams.

Mostly, I just hope he meant what I thought he did when he said he now had a position that would allow him to build his house. I fall asleep dreaming of what our children will look like.