It was now after 3pm but Louis still hadn't made any money. He had gotten up early to set up the old picnic table out in front of the house. He had even spent a good portion of the night before making the hand-written sign touting "Lemonade 15 cents!"

He was trying to get the after-lunch work crowd from down the street. They can use the curb in front of his house as a parking lot but can't support the payments he has to make by purchasing a delicious beverage? How inconsiderate! How many times had he been forced to park a block and a half, or more, away from his own residence just because the workers from down the street didn't want to pay fifteen dollars a year for parking?

His product was good, Louis had ended up sampling a good portion of it between noon and now. He could feel his wife's eyes on him from the house once in a while. She wouldn't hear of helping him with this, even if she did make better lemonade. Louis' thoughts turned to a small daydream, ignoring the strange looks from people passing by, thinking about he and Maria painting the sign together, sitting out in the warm summer sunshine selling their lemonade together.

Louis stole a glance at the house, barely catching a glimpse of the curtains swaying back into place. Maybe she wanted to come out but her pride wasn't letting her. He frowned, thinking of that. They were so close usually, she should know he wouldn't think ill of her for changing her mind.

A group of three people with equally distributed perplexed looks across their faces casually walked past Louis' stand. He smiled warmly, not wanting to appear too desperate. He liked being a laid back salesperson, if they wanted it he'd let them have it... but he was trying not to be annoying. They continued on with quick glances back over their shoulders at him.

Louis opened the cigar box he was using as a till and in a fit of inspiration dug 15 cents out of his pocket, plopping the change into the cigar box and rattling it around a little. He left the top open so the people passing by could see at least someone had stopped. He waited for the people who had just passed by to leave, them having seen him put the money in the till himself, and attacked the next person who came by a couple of minutes later.

"Hey! Lemonade!? You want some? Really good on a hot day like today, I've kept it cold!"

The person stopped and stared at him a moment, "Kid taking a break?"

Louis didn't understand, but wasn't going to let this one pass him by. He picked up the cigar box and rattled the dime and nickel at the gentleman.

"Look, people buy my lemonade. Just give it a try, have some."

The mark's brow furrowed, then wiggled as he rolled his eyes at Louis. The man didn't even bother berating him, just started back towards the factory.

Louis deflated and sat back in his lawn chair, setting the cigar box back on the picnic table. He wondered if maybe the middle of suburbia was such a great place for a stand like his.

Louis sighed, then started at the sound of the front door clicking closed. He turned around in his lawn chair, making it creak softly. He smiled and waved at his wife.

"Hi honey! The other chair's in the garage, let me get..."

Before he could raise himself she had already slammed the car door, just after she had silently extended to him her middle finger.