An Ignorant Thief

The Balcony

I had been in my room for a further week. Meals were brought to me, and Tzi was the only person I really talked to, which wasn't that different, to tell the truth. We had talked of mostly trivial things, her too nervous to bring up the reason I was stuck here. She finally broached the subject, and I reluctantly pulled the letter out of my pocket, where it had stayed these seven days. It was creased and worn from constant handling. She read it out loud under her breath. I could hear her pausing at places. She handed it back, gave me a hug, and left.

The rest of the day I spent reading. I didn't mind being locked up in here, as I had plenty to do, and I didn't have to meet with anyone. The worst was anticipation of what was to come.

I was curled in a chair in front of the fire, engrossed in my copy of Robinson Crusoe, when I heard a tap on my window. It was dark outside, and I could see no one, so I tuned back to my book, that is at least until I heard it again. I stood up and swung a dressing gown over my night clothes. Grabbing the candle from where I had been reading I walked cautiously to the balcony and opened the door, only to see Isaac swing over the railing and land in front of me.

"Miss Sadie, I missed you." His smile was enormous as he took my hands.

"Mr. Isaac, I missed you too. But throwing stones at the window? Climbing onto the balcony? Isn't that a bit cliché?"

His smile turned mischievous. "Yes, but it is much more romantic than knocking."

And then he surprised me. He drew closer, leaned down, and kissed me. I drew away sharply. "Isaac! You can't kiss a woman when you're not married to her! It isn't proper!"

He shrugged. "Well I just did. And I'm about to do it again."

He put his arms around my waist and kissed me again. I was reluctant at first, but then my heart thought for my mind, and my arms found their way around his neck. I kissed him back. I felt his hand on my back, pulling me closer. Our lips seemed to fit together. I heard a creak from behind me, but didn't care. I was lost.

But then he pulled away. He was looking behind me where the sound had come from. I looked around. Tzi was standing in the door way, eyes wide, jaw dropped. I suddenly became very aware that I was still standing very close to Isaac, and had my arms around his neck. He came to the realization at the same moment, and we both dropped our arms and took a step away from each other, both blushing furiously. Tzi giggled and put her hand over her mouth. Her eyes were shining with laughter. She turned to leave. "Wait!"

I looked up in surprise. It was Isaac who had spoken, not me. Tzi came back in and closed the door behind her, obviously trying very hard not to laugh. She sat down in a chair. We came back inside and I closed the door. I suddenly realized how cold it had been outside. Tzi, of course, decided to point this out in the most juvenile way possible. "How were you not freezing? You're bare foot and bare sleeved, too... but I guess you were rather busy to be noticing the weather."

It never ceased to amaze me how grown up people could continue to be so childish in so many things. Isaac, who was still tomato red, was more successful at talking than I would be at the moment. "Please don't tell." He bit his lip.

Tzi could now not contain her laughter, and it bounced around the room, making us both smile, albeit nervously. "I knew it!" She was having difficulty talking through her laughter. She forced herself to stop and continued talking. "I knew you would try that, the only question was a matter of when. Frankly, I'm surprised. I think you're rather late."

"Tzi, stop laughing please." I said, slightly exasperated, for she had gone off again. She made a good effort and I was able to continue.

"Tzi, what do we do? Mother and Father were very strict, but if we love each other-"

She snorted. "Obviously." 

I glared.

"If I love him, I won't be able to bring myself to marry anyone else."

She sat for a minute. "Sadie, do you know the marriage age?"

"Fourteen, isn't it?" I was a little bit startled by the question.

"Yes, well, I meant the other marriage age. If you are above the age of twenty one, you can get married without parental consent. And, they technically can't force you to marry someone else, come to think about it. It is not so called 'proper'..." 

I sent a sideways glance to Isaac.

"But you could ask again, and if they said no, you could still lawfully get married."

I jumped to my feet. "Really? That's wonderful!"

I pulled Isaac to his feet. He was smiling wider than I had ever seen. I kissed him, not caring a whit about societal norms. I heard Tzi stand and leave, laughing softly.

**