If I were a blue bird

 "Is that your little brother?" Gage knew as soon as he said it. He was wrong. Ting's pout said it all. He knew he better shut it before he said another word. They were in the hardware store, looking around or possibly dancing around.

"That's my boyfriend." She snapped.

"Oh..I'm sorry..I..I thought you were Alfie's girlfriend," Gage thought he might have been making a goofy face, but he was really trying to be casual.

"Alfie?" She made it sound as if he might be the worst disease of all. "I don't even know why he's at my house. My mom lets him stay there for free, you know."

"Is that how it is?" Gage's smile was fading. 

"She won't let Tony live there free," she told him. 

"I'm not even moving in until after Christmas," Tony reminded her. Still, Ting was in a serious pout as she looked to be squeezing the life out of Tony's hand.

"So, so what can I do for you today," Gage went on with business. 

"We..we need some shelves, for more room," Tony told him.

"More room," he nodded. "I bet it's still cheaper to live at home than in an apartment." He told them as he walked ahead toward the shelving units.

"She's charging us four hundred dollars a month!" Ting shouted.

"Oh that's a steal," Gage looked back at the both of them. He sighed thinking they were awfully young to be in love, but then again they were both at the Uni.

"How much do you pay where you live?" Ting wanted to know as if she might really be a high schooler after all. 

She hit a nerve, but he kept on smiling. "Oh, I got a deal too." He told her. Finally, they settled on a unit that might take up one side of her bedroom.

"Do you think you need to paint your room?" Gage asked. After all, he was a salesman and this was a new beginning for them. He mentioned how many favored sage these days. People were going for all sorts of greens.

"What do you think?' Tony looked down at Ting. After all, he was taller than her. 

"You know, I like pink," Ting nodded. "But I would go gray for you."

"Really, I think a soft blue would do," Tony told her it was a color that would keep them both calm. 

Gage was glad they could decide on a color. Oh, the hardware place hadn't moved much paint lately so it was good to get a sale.