A MAZE OF GREED

The next day came with a smile, hand in hands with little nervousness for Ruth. She got ready earlier than every day.

"Mr Payne... Open the door." She knocked nonstop on the wooden door.

"Oh God, child! Can not you have some paience?!" Mrs Payne opened the door with creased brows.

Ruth did not mind her annoyance and pecked her on the cheek.

"Good morning to you too, my beautiful Monalisa."

Ruth got to know that Mr Payne used to call his wife Monalisa in their younger days. She had picked on his habit and started teasing Mrs Payne whenever she felt like it.

Mrs Payne rolled her eyes and decided to give Ruth a silent treatment for teasing her.

"Good morning, my dear! You are early." Mr Payne was ready after showering. He had his white shirt and black pants on. He looked refreshed and well than before.

"Yes, because I am here to prepare us breakfast. You need your stomach full for working for the whole day." She skipped to the kitchen and started working with eggs.

Mrs Payne shook her head with a smile on her face. She joined Ruth in the kitchen and started brewing coffee for them.

After breakfast, Mr Payne picked his tools and was ready to go. He did not know why Ruth wanted to meet his employer. But he let her accompany him because he knew how stubborn she was.

Mrs Payne was worried and did not want her husband to tire himself at the lumber factory. But she also understood that only care and love were not enough to spend life. One needs money for buying things and for paying rent.

She waved them bye with a smile on her face and worry in her heart.

While walking on the narrow and bumpy roads of the Eastern part of the Vincardine, Mr Payne asked, "Why you did not tell us what happened between you and Florence?"

Ruth knew she had to face that question sooner or later. She could not keep avoiding it forever.

"There was nothing to tell, Mr Payne. I handled it well, I guess." She whispered the last words to herself.

"I can see that by the way Florence avoids you like a ghost." He pointed out.

"Come on, Mr Payne. You could have use lion or wolf as an anology than a ghost."

Mr Payne laughed heartily at her grumbling.

"What? You do not think I am strong like a lion or a wolf?" She raised her brow.

Mr Payne shook his head amusingly. "You are not strong as a lion, but you are a lioness. You are caring, loving and strong-willed lioness in my eyes. You have proven that on many occassions. A lioness do most of the hunting for her pride. She is fearless and proud creature, just like you. But..."

"But what?"

"But I do not want you to comapre with a wolf."

"Why?" She asked curiously.

Mr Payne held her hand while she jumped a puddle in her way.

"Wolves are cunning, Ruth. They are sharp, predatory by nature. They plan how to trap their prey. They love the chase.

They are cruel creatures. you would not like to get compared with them now, do you?" He glanced at her sideways.

Ruth was quiet for some time.

"But my mother always told me that there is good in everyone. Is there nothing to learn from the wolves?"

Mr Payne waved at a man who was familiar to him.

"Of course, there are things that you can learn from them."

"And what are those?" She asked excitedly.

"They always live in a group pack. Although they are not trustworthy creatures, they are loyal to their pack members. They love their family and would never leave their pack members behind.

You can learn how to fight for your family from them. You can learn how to use not only your physical strength but also the power of your mind." He explained.

Ruth was fascinated by his words. "Power of mind? Mr Payne, in today's world what we need is money, and physical strenth for survival. Mind power is something that people do not regard much these days." She opined.

Mr Payne tapped on her shoulder. "You are wrong there, my child. No matter how time changes, your mind will always be victorious against every power in the world. You only need to use it wisely. Your physical strength will weaken when you get old. Your weapons may lose their sharpness and efficiency.

Your allies may turn their back at you. Law and order may get corrupted. Your heart might get sad and may lose the will to fight. It might get confused and chose the way of emotions instead of what is important for you to reach your goal.

But your mind... it can never lose its capability. It will never betray you. Your mind will guide you through every odds. It will choose the right path for you when your heart says otherwise.

Trust your heart when it comes to love and the people you love. But never judge your mind when it is helping you reach your goal."

Ruth drank every word coming from his mouth to store it in the deepest layers of her heart. Those were words of wisdom that Mr Payne had learned through his long life and numerous experiences.

She was overwhelmed with a mixture of emotions. His words were enlightening, encouraging and soothing.

"I will keep all of it in my mind, Mr Payne. Thank you!"

"I am always there for you, Ruth. Engraved in your heart that your mind is the deadliest weapon in the world, and you have complete control over it. Do not ever lose it. Understood?"

"Completely!" She winked at him, and they both laughed.

They did not realise how they covered the distance between their home and the lumber factory.

They saw eight to ten men cutting the logs of wood with saw chain and other such tools. More wooden logs of wood are placed around the premises, ready to transport or get polished. The ground was covered with pieces of wood, dried bark and sawdust.

A man in a checkered coat stood speaking with another man. He was observing the men working there and was instructing them now and then.

"He is the manager here." Mr Payne pointed at him.

"Okay." Ruth nodded her understanding.

As they walked towards him, the workers looked up from their task at them. Some smiled at Mr Payne, welcoming him. Some waved while many of them stared at Ruth intensely.

She felt shrinking under their weird gazes, but with Mr Payne at her side, she did not need to worry. Mr Payne, aware of those gazes at Ruth, glared at those men.

"Excuse me, sire." Ruth called softly.

The manager turned around to find her with Mr Payne.

"Good mornig, Mr Payne. How have you been?" He smiled widely at the old man.

"Good morning! I am better now, thank you for asking." Mr Payne replied.

The manager's eyes shifted to Ruth. "And who is this lovely young lady here?" He asked.

"She is my daughter, Ruth. She came with me because she did not want me to come here alone after my illness." Mr Payne's voice held pride and love for her.

The manager nodded. "Nice to meet you, Miss Ruth." He was a kind man, Ruth could tell.

"Good morning, sire! It is nice to meet you too!" Ruth bowed in respect.

Mr Payne cleared his throat then asked nervously. "I want to know if I still have my job, sire?"

After weeks of rest, he worried that his manager would not allow him to resume his job.

The manager looked surprised. "Mr Payne, you are getting old. You have just recovered from illness. I would advise you to retire now. Don't you agree, Miss Ruth?"

Ruth was uncomfortable. She felt like he was indirectly asking her why she could not take care of Mr Payne as his daughter.

"I agree with you sire. But I need this job. I have a family to take care of. And I do not want to overburden my daughter with the responsbilities. She is already overdoing herself."

The manager thought for a moment. "Are you sure about this, Mr Payne?"

"Yes, I am, sire." Mr Payne answered determinedly.

"Sire, you must know that he is a very proud man. He will not listen to anyone. If he wants to work, then we can not stop him. If not here, then he will search for something else to do.

But I want to request you to let him continue his job here. He is familiar with this place, this environment, work and people working here.

I have heard about your kindness. I can trust you with him. I can rest assured that he has people to look after him here. Please, sire, let him continue his job."

The manager was moved with her earnest words.

"okay. You can join today itself, Mr Payne. But I will not let you do any heavy work. You will do the light chores, keep the balance sheet and instruct others. You will get the same salary as before.

But let me make myself clear, that if anything happens to you while at work, it will not be the management's responsibility. I am sorry, but I have to consider the management and make sure that nothing hampers the factory's name and growth. I hope you understand."

"Of course, sire. Thank you! Thank you so much!"

Both Mr Payne and Ruth could not contain their radiant smiles anymore.