“< Joren!>” Kiki whined in Korean as she followed her son out of the house, wringing her hands on her sweater. “<Are you sure you don’t want a ride? I don't want you catching a cold.>”

Joren chuckled and walked by her and into the garage. “<Eomma, come on.>”

“<What if you do? Or god forbid pneumonia.>” She whimpered as she prattled on. Even if the worries weren’t major or rational, Kiki could work herself into a worrying fit it had anything to do with her son’s health.

“<It’s not even October yet, eomma. Do you really think I need an overcoat?>” Joren teased as he walked his bike out onto the drive. “<Do you need that sweater?>”

“<Well no, but…>” Kiki mumbled, her brow furrowed as she searched for a retort. “<But Joren you always stay so late, don’t you know how cold it gets?>” She leaned on him to reach up and brush the bangs out of his eyes.

Joren stifled back laughter as he pulled away. He sighed, leaning back as she tied his messenger bag up. “<I don't think my boss will keep me too late..>” He smiled. “I'll be fine.” Joren perked up with an idea. “<You know what? If I get out late, you can come pick me up. How’s that?.>”

“<Well…>” Kiki sighed, fingers intertwined.

Joren wrapped his arms around her. “<Relax eomma, you're gonna go gray if you don't!>”

She wrapped him in a tight embrace, kissing his cheek before pushing his face away.

“<Fine.>” She huffed, pouting to cover up a half-smile. “<I love you, dear. Have a good day.>”

Joren hugged her once more and climbed onto his bike and switched on his Walkman. “<You too, ma. Love you.>”

“<Be back by dinner!>”

The sunrise rose behind the town church, clearing away the fog and nearly blinding Joren as he pedaled down Mountain Place and onto the long stretch of country road that lead into the business district of the town; Village Green. The crisp September morning was one of the first that really began to feel like Autumn. The Sun rose a little later and set a little sooner, the chilly nights and mornings kept the un-obligated inside and the front yards and roads almost totally empty until the late morning, Joren felt like his morning commute was through a ghost town.

His ride led him down to a city block that was nothing but single-story offices with one large glass-pane building standing like a monolith amongst Village Green’s modest architecture: Flash Co. Joren’s place of employment.

Joren walked his bike inside the garage from the back parking lot. He punched in and glanced towards the bulletin board beside the time clock, expecting Andrea's familiar handwriting and a list of houses to work on. But today a small handwritten note was pinned onto his work orders. Joren picked up the note, expecting some terrible errand below his station.

“Mr. Hyoung, please contact my office when you clock into your shift. - Mr. Flash”

His heart sank. He usually just reported to Ms. Maddox, while Mr. Flash was... CEO.

He scratched his chin and looked over the note a couple times, hesitantly picking up the phone to dial Mr. Flash’s office. Interactions Joren had with Flash was never unpleasant, but he gave off such an air of importance he couldn’t help but feel intimidated. After a pause he dialed the main office.

“Hello Zachary Flash’s office this is Roseann how may I direct your call?” A familiar voice answered; Flash’s secretary and friend of Joren's, Rosie. She was still fresh out of college, but far more capable and competent than pretty much anyone else in the office.

“Rosie? How’s it going?”

“Joren, hey!” She sounded off without skipping a beat, bubbling through the phone. “You need something?”

“Yeah actually is Mr. Flash in?” He frowned. “He wanted to talk to me.”

“Talk to you?” She sounded surprised. “Yeah I can see if he’s in his office, just a sec I’ll direct your call.”

He heard a sharp click followed by a low buzzing noise. Joren wringed his hands nervously, mumbling to himself about things he’s done recently that could get him disciplined. Another click killed the buzzing.

“Joren?” A deep English accent came through. His boss.

“Mr. Flash?” Joren was taken off guard. “Ah- Mr. Flash, good morning!”

“Good morning, Joren. Did the ride in treat you well?” Joren’s boss greeted him. “Beautiful day, isn’t it?”

“Yes sir. It’s gorgeous.” Joren gave a quick response, not sure entirely sure which question he should actually answer.

“I’m sorry to have you call me on the spot like this, I wanted to talk to you about something.”

“Oh really...?” Joren burbled. “What is that, sir?”

Flash chuckled, his chair creaking again. “Ms. Maddox has informed me that you have been staying late recently.”

“Uh, yes sir I did.” Joren paced around his desk as he listened. He did stay late last night, most of it was spent fooling around in the garage with KC...

Silence lingered for a beat.

“I see.” A smile showed Flash’s voice, dropping his West Country accent to a soothing tone. “It was the copier wasn’t it?”

Joren let out a big sigh of relief. Flash was the fool no wiser. “The copier?” The office floor’s industrial copy printer, a mountainous machine with an encyclopedia of error codes and malfunctions. The perfect scapegoat. “It’s up and running right now, sir.”

“I thought so.” Flash chuckled. “I appreciate you staying late for that, it shows dedication. But next time clock out when you’re suppose to. You won’t be penalized for not finishing a project, so please try not to hit overtime.”

“Oh, well thank you sir!”

Flash chuckled, “I’m thanking you, son.”

Joren’s face felt warm as he struggled to find an appropriate response, but the call was cut with a click before he could. “Mr. Flash, you have a call from Davenport on line two.” Rosie’s voice came through interrupting the call, mercifully putting Joren out of his misery.

“Ah.” Flash murmured. “Well that’s fine. Have a nice weekend Joren.”

There was another click, a low buzz and the call ended.

Joren listened to the dial tone for a moment, making a mental note to personally thank Rosie later. He yanked his to-do list off of the bulletin board and scanned his work orders for the day.

Joren,

There should be a power washer in one of the vans that needs repairs, try to clean up the listing on Mountain Pl. while doing rounds today

- Roger

P.S. Joseph is going to be picking up a shift tonight. If you finish all of your duties early you can clock out when you’re done.

“Well.” Joren smiled, tucking the note into his breast pocket. “It’s gonna be a good one folks!” His voice echoed in the empty workshop. He checked his watch; quarter to eleven already thanks to the call with Flash. “Good a time as any to start working.” He chuckled. He really couldn’t complain, it was the first day in weeks that gave him any time to work outside the shop.

Joren tidied up the shop and grabbed his work jacket on his way out, locking the shop’s back exit and strolling into the employee parking lot. The Flash Co. vans were parked just outside exit for quick access. The building sported a luxurious three vans total for their handymen, tripling any upkeep that Joren would have to do. Not that he ever complained. He enjoyed working on location; being able to listen to loud music and no possibility of any surprise check-ins or calls was far better than being cooped up in the workshop or doing petty maintenance for someone in the office.

The house wasn’t far, just a few houses down from his own. It stood empty on Mountain Place for at least five years and only went up for sale this Summer. Joren couldn’t remember much about the family that lived there, other than that they had a daughter around his age. They just packed and left one day. He foudn it to be one of his favorite house to work on.

“Yo!” A husky voice boomed over Joren’s music. He perked up, looking around to see a familiar sea of wyry blonde hair shuffle across the street towards him. It was KC, his best friend. “If it isn’t my favorite blue-collar working man!!”

Joren dropped everything and rushed towards her. “Hey, hey, KC!” He called out, pulling her into an embrace. “It isn’t even noon, what’re you doing up?”

She gasped, pushing him back on the chest as she broke out into a forced laughter. “Very funny!” She sneered. “I’ve been up since 9, dickhead.”

Joren stumbled back, laughing as he caught his balance on the van. “Hey be nice to me I’m on duty.” He laughed and wiped the hair out of his eyes. ”I still haven’t picked who I’m gonna ask to the cabin, you know.” He winked, crossing his arms facetiously.

KC’s eye lit up. “Oh no shit! Cabin weekend!?” Her eyebrows raised and a toothy smile rapidly spread across her cheeks.

“Oh yeah.” Joren smiled right back, “I think I’m gonna head out right after work. You wanna ride with me?”

“Hold it.” She planted her hand onto the van next to Joren. “Is there food up there?” She began to stare him down. “Real food.”

Joren tittered. “Oh yeah, you know.” He was recoiling towards the van, trying to avoid a scolding. “Soup and...stuff. I know we have beer.” He scratched the stubble on his chin. “So no, we don’t have any real food.”

KC laughed. “Well we gotta grab some!” She nudged him again. “You wanna do it or should I?”

“Well…” Joren’s head drooped. “I’m planning on heading out right after work.” He began to beam with pride. “I can leave early.” He tapped his chest. “My supervisor said so this morning.”

“Oh really?” KC arched a brow. “What for?” She crossed her arms as she turned to face him. “Sucking up to big Mr. Flash? Or maybe I should say sucking big boss’s--”

Joren blushed. “No I did not!” He interrupted her.

“Or maybe,” She continued, “for keeping a certain employee company while still on the clock?” She stuck her tongue out at him.

“Oh God, KC you didn’t!” He whined dramatically, shifting all his weight onto her as he pretended to faint.

“Hey hey hey!.” She gasped, pushing him back onto his feet. “Relax star employee.” She brushed his shoulder and pushed him away from the van. “I didn’t mean to embarrass ya, ya goon.”

“Well…“ Joren lumbered towards the house as his face began to burn. “You did!” He struck a dramatic pose. “How could I ever spend the weekend with such a bully?”

KC stood in front of him, hands on her hips. “Do you really want to spend the weekend by yourself?” She looked down at him. “Without a truckload of food?” She blinked. ”And my wonderful company, of course.”

“Of course!” Joren perked up. “I’ll be there, no worries.” He rambled confirmations, still flustered. “Promise.”

KC gave him a wily grin, quite happy with herself. “Good! So I’ll meetcha up there then, tonight?”

Joren nodded. “Definitely, promise. I’ll even clean up.”

“From last time or the time before that?”

“Both.” He chuckled and looked down at his shoes. “Even though I should make you clean it up since it was your mess last time.”

KC was already walking away from him. “See ya! Have a good shift bye J!” She blindly waved back at him as she crossed the street.

“Yeah I will…” Joren mumbled and leaned back on his hands and watched her amble down Mountain View and out of sight. After sitting a spell he jumped back onto his feet and got to work with a spring in his step.

Before Joren could even stop to think about the weekend he had already finished up. He checked his watch, 2:30. “Quittin’ time.” He blew back into Flash Co and made a B-line for the time clock. He left the building nervous that maybe he left too early or maybe he should have let his boss know. The ride home was filled with explosive anticipation, any worries he had about work or Flash was able to dissipate by the time he got home.