Silas arrived at Tom’s workshop and knocked at the half closed door.

„Come in,“ Tom said, just being varnishing parts of the table he was working on.

Silas went inside and looked around. The workshop wasn’t big, but well organized. Few of Tom’s self-made furnitures were standing in one corner. 

„Looks good,“ Silas said, seeing his work. 

„Thank you.“

„So… how can I help you?“ 

Tom stopped varnishing and showed him the heavy table top, leaning at one wall. 

„It’s pretty heavy. I can lift it on my own to saw it in shape.“

Silas helped Tom to build the table, watching all steps curiously. He asked questions in between to understand his work better. Tom noticed, Silas was not completely inexperienced working with his hands. 

„What’s your profession?“ he asked at some point.

„Um… I’m an actor.“

Tom raised his eyebrows. 

„A successful one?“ 

Silas chuckled.

„No. I’ve spend the last five years in Europe, doing work and travel. I never had the chance doing some acting work after my graduation, to be honest.“ 

„How did that happen?“ Tom wanted to know. 

Silas looked at him, wondering if he should tell him or not.“ 

„Lizzy happened.“ 

„I don’t understand,“ Tom replied. 

„I was with her. Everything was perfect. But then we made a mistake which changed everything. As a consequence I couldn’t be with her anymore. That’s why I left.“

„Why you couldn’t be with her?“ 

„She… she was sixteen…“ 

Of course Tom noticed, that Silas was older than her. He needed a moment to sort his mind. 

„Did you hide your relationship?“ 

„Yes.“ 

„But then her parent’s found out and intervened?“ 

Silas nodded. He decided Tom had enough information, not wanting to share the whole story with a stranger. 

„And when you came back, she was with someone else,“ Tom said. 

„She was with my younger brother.“

Slowly Tom started to see the whole picture. 

„But you and Lizzy are good again, right?“

Silas smiled.

„Yes, we are.“ 

Tom smiled back. 

„So?“ 

„So what?“ 

„Will you propose?“ 

Silas was surprised about Tom’s question. 

„Um… ya… I already asked her brother at home to check her jewelry. He found out her ring size for me. But…honestly… I can’t afford buying a ring she deserves right now.“

„A ring she deserves?“ Tom asked irritated. 

„Look… I know things are little different here, but where I come from… I just can’t buy a simple ring…“ Silas tried to explain.

Tom frowned.

„I don’t think Lizzy needs to be impressed with a chunky diamond.“

„It’s true, but… still she deserves something special, you know?“ 

Tom looked at him for a short moment. Then he smiled. 

„Your name.“ 

Silas frowned. 

„What’s with my name?“ 

„It means man of the woods.“ 

„Yes, it does. How do you know?“

„I’ve had a friend with that name once. He told me.“ 

„Okay… but I still don’t understand what you’re trying to say.“ 

Tom was still smiling. 

„I have an idea… Silas…“