Sawdust and Swedish Meatballs.

Sawdust & Swedish Meatballs

The love story of Ingrid and Ramon from Hal's Story.

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"I'll have a gallon of decaf and a gallon of regular. A dozen glazed, 6 Boston creme, 3 strawberry iced. 3 jelly filled. Can I also get some salted caramel, Hazelnut and Cinnamon Dolce creamers please."

"That's a lot of coffee and donuts for one guy, you must be a hard working man."

"I do work hard but this is for the guys on my construction crew." Ramon turned to find a striking beautiful blond woman behind him.

"Well that's nice of you to buy them breakfast." her smile matched her appearance, striking is the only word that Ramon could think of when looking at her.

"I'm not that nice, It's my turn to buy. We take turns every week. There's 5 of us on the crew plus some others who might grab a doughnut or coffee."

"Its good to know you're not a nice guy, saves me some time." She said with a slight smirk

"No, I'm a nice guy, I am. I was just saying I don't make a habit of buying this much food and drinks." Ramon desperately tried to explain.

"What would you like to order Miss?" The cashier said trying to keep the line moving.

The blond ordered a small coffee with salted caramel and whipped cream plus a glazed cruller. Ramon jumped in and paid for her order before she could use her card. "For holding you up from getting your order. See, I can be a nice guy." he said with a smile.

While they waited for their orders Ramon tried to keep the conversation going. "My mom told me to never talk to strangers. I'm Ramon and you are?"

"I'm Ingrid, nice to meet you Ramon. I guess I'm not a stranger anymore huh?"

"No you're not Ingrid, its my pleasure to meet you. That's an interesting name."

"Its Swedish, my grandparents moved from Sweden to Minnesota in the 40's before the war. I'm named for my Grandmother."

"So what brings you to Carolina, Ingrid?"

"Work. I got a job at Carolina Chemical and decided to move. I've been here for a couple of months." They called her number and she went to pick up her order. Ramon was still waiting for his.

"Well, it was nice talking to you Ramon."

"Ingrid, I don't usually do this but can I give you my number. I would like to continue our talk and get to know you more."

"Wow, you are smooth Ramon. How do you know I'm not married or have a boyfriend?'

"No ring and if you have a boyfriend he's a fool for not putting a ring on your finger before you moved away from your family."

"How do I know you're not a serial killer or something?" with more of that smile.

"Would a serial killer by doughnuts for his co-workers?" With a hearty laugh and genuine smile.

"Okay Mr. Smooth, Give me your number and I might give you a call." Ramon wrote his number on a napkin and handed it to her. "Have a good day Mr. Smooth."

Ramon picked up his order and headed to the job site. He didn't say anything about meeting Ingrid a Bad Ass Donuts because he didn't want to be embarrassed if she didn't call. He had been working for Green Construction for a couple of years. He was glad for the job. His brother in law Oscar got him the job. It came at the right time. His ex-wife, Oscar's sister had left him. She was cheating with some pequeña perra (Little Bitch) and ran back to Mexico. His former co-workers found out and gave him a hard time about it. He even got into a fight when one guy was being a real asshole and took it to far. These were real good guys. Not only did they work well together but had fun doing it and made it feel like a family. Their wives had tried to fix him up a couple of times. It wasn't like he had a problem getting women. He was an attractive guy who knew how to talk the talk. But they wanted him married again and making babies. Like a good Mexican man should be.

Ramon had given up on that Ingrid chick calling him. He had stopped at the doughnut shop a couple of times but never ran into her again. He chalked it up to fate. He didn't think there was a chance anyway. She was as white as you could get. Blond hair, blue eyes, fair skin that probably burned in the summer. He was dark skinned. He got mistaken for being black a lot. Dark wavy hair and brown eyes. He was tall for a Mexican at 5 foot 11 inches and well built from construction work all day. Women said he had the best smile they had ever seen on a man.

Wednesday he was driving home from work and his phone rang with an unknown number.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Is this Mr. Smooth from the Doughnut shop?"

"Oh Ingrid, surprise surprise. I thought you forgot about me or threw my number away."

"No, I kept it but I had to fly back home for a family emergency. This is the first chance I had to call you."

They proceeded with the usual first conversation chatter. After 20 minutes Ramon took the bull by the horns.

"Ingrid, are you busy Saturday. It would be my honor to escort you to dinner."

"You mean like a date Mr. Smooth? Little old me on a date?"

Laughing Ramon responded, "Yes Mrs Ingrid, a real date. With food and waiters and forks and knifes and stuff. And if you're good maybe dancing afterwards. They do dance in Minnesota don't they? What kind of food do you like?"

"Yes we dance Ramon, Its clog dancing but still its kinda dancing and the food doesn't have to be fancy. I'm Swedish from the Midwest, steak and potatoes would work for me."

"Okay, Saturday at 6pm. Can I text you the information at this number. I figure you would feel more comfortable meeting me there since it is our first date."

"Aren't you the real gentleman. I'll meet you, just text me the address."

Their first date they went to STIR in Charlotte. It was a very nice restaurant. Not one of those where the music is too loud and the drinks to weak. They had a varied menu so it was easy for anyone to find something they liked. She wore a nice dress that stopped at her knees, wore 3 inch pumps and enough make up to give her a little color. On the second look Ramon was able to see how attractive she was. She wasn't model or drop dead gorgeous beautiful. Not girl next door pretty. Somewhere in between. He kept going back to striking to describe her. He was surprised she didn't have a boyfriend already.

She was more than surprised when he asked her about her job. Most guys zoned out because biological engineering isn't the most exciting job. And he asked questions. What really shocked her was when he asked in depth questions that only someone in that field or had a real interest would know to ask. When he found out she was into the biomedical side he asked if she did device design, or worked on diagnostics and what applications she used.

He just laughed and told her he liked to read on his down time. She found it extremely sexy. She was just as interested in his job. He was also surprised because he didn't expect someone of her caliber to be interested in construction. They never did go dancing that night. They spent the whole night talking getting to know each other. They both agreed it was the best date either had ever had. They made arrangements for next Friday.

During the week they would talk every other day. That Friday date they did get to go dancing. One thing about dancing, You either match or you don't. They matched each other move for move. It wasn't a competition to see who could outdo the other. But a pairing. It almost looked they had been practicing for years. A couple of people asked how long they had been dating or even married.

Those dates led to several more. The calls became daily. They didn't have sex or as Ramon thought of it, made love until a month after the first date.

He had met a couple of her coworkers at some parties. He wondered how he would fit in with them. But he found them to be nice people. No one talked down to him as a lowly construction worker. It helped that he could hold a conversation on almost any level having been well read. And it didn't hurt he had an engaging personality. Her coworkers could see they were smitten with each other.

He invited her to one of the work barbecues his boss hosted. It was not the first time he had bought someone but for him, it felt like he was introducing her to his family.

He warned her about Maria and Jennifer. Not that they were bad people, but they were very inquisitive is be polite. Expect to be asked a thousand questions. He knew the guys would give him a hard time so he was ready for it.

When they got there and introductions where made Ingrid was whisked away by the ladies. He didn't get to talk to her until the food was served. The barbecues were a very relaxed affair. There wasn't a lot of drinking because of the two girls from next door. The boss had stopped drinking after his divorce and it kind of trickled down. Beer was the hardest thing they had there. Everyone usually bought something. Ingrid's contribution was Swedish Meatballs.

During the BBQ, people noticed how they interacted with each other. There was a ease and comfort about them. There wasn't that new couple feel if you well. Like they had been together forever. If you looked at them you would never think they would be a couple. Almost as opposite as you could be. But you could see the smiles when they looked at each other.

Ramon knew how he felt about Ingrid. But after what he had been through with Elsa it was hard to take that final step. One day Maria cornered him in the office. "Por el amor de Dios, ¿qué te pasa Ramón? Tienes una mujer muy buena. ¿Qué esperas? (For the love of God, what is wrong with you Ramon. You have a really good woman what are you waiting for?)

"Waiting for what Maria?"looking at her bewildered. He knew he was in trouble for something because she was spoeaking Spanish.

"To marry Ingrid, your little Swedish Meatball. She's not like that bitch Elsa. I can tell she's a good woman and she loves you. Hell, everyone can see that, Even Jose noticed the way you two look at each other. And never notices shit. Get off your ass and marry her before someone else does!" Calling her his Little Swedish Meatball had become an inside joke with everyone in the company.

That was the push he needed. He had yet to meet her family. It wasn't like they lived close by but in Elbow Lake Minnesota, a 20 hour drive or 4 hour flight with another 2 hour drive from Minneapolis. So he did the next best thing, he called them. He knew Ingrid had told them about dating Ramon. He didn't know how they felt about her dating a Mexican man. She told him before she him she had only dated white guys. Mostly because thats all that was around. At college, Bemidji State had 7 Black people. They had more Asians then Blacks. And no Mexicans that she was aware of. Elbow Lake was like a winter wonderland, all white. She didn't think her parents where predujice. She had never heard them say anything derogatory towards minorities.

So one Thursday he Facetimed them. They seemed like nice people. They gave him time to introduce himself and talk about his job. Also most importantly how he felt about Ingrid. That she made his life complete and wanted to marry her. But he knew he had to have her fathers permission first. He apologize for not meeting him in person. That this was the best he could do at the moment.

They were pleased with his sincerity. He seemed like a nice young man who truly cared about thier daughter. The fact that he wanted to ask for permission to marry their daughter went a long way for a traditional family. They had some hesitation about them being a mix raced couple. Yet, they never expressed it. They didn't have any friends of color. The only minorities they knew were from TV or the movies. Even so, his words persauded them to give their permission. With the agreement the wedding would take place in Elbow Lake. Ramon, laughed and said as long as its in the summer time he would have no problem with that. After 3 hours Ramon got the go ahead.

Two weeks later they were having dinner at The Goodyear House restaurant. Jennifer and Oscar as well as Jose and Maria had joined them which wasn't unusal. Ingrid could tell something was different but couldn't put her finger on it. Dinner and company was great as usual. Lots of laughing. Jose could be really funny at times. She had become good friends with Jennifer and Maria. Maria was a force of nature and Jennifer was the voice of reason. During dessert she noticed the people at the next table had thier phone proped up facing her table. She thought it was strange but didn't pay it much mind.

Ramon got her attention. Got out of his chair on got down into one knee in front of her and said how much he loved her, Said she made his life so much better. She knew then what was happening and started to cry. He was on bended knee and pulled out the engagment ring. She squealed and said yes. By than people noticed and started clapping. Maria and Jennifer hugged her while Jose and Oscar shook hands and slapped him on the back.

When things settled down the man from the other table came up to Ingrid. "Excuse me miss, I have someone who wants to talk to you." and he handed her his phone. On the phone was her parents. They watched the proposal via Facetime. Ingrid started to cry again. Her mother joined her in happiness. Her father was her father and said he was happy for her and him. He told her how he had facetimed them a couple of weeks ago to ask his permission. He told her how he was impressed with him doing that. It was the bestr day of her life, until her wedding day of course.

Six months later in July twelve close friends from Greenville flew out to Elbow Lake for the wedding. Karl and Astrid Olsen hosted a get to know ya barbecue. Of the 1200 people in the town Ramon thought 500 was there. He hadn't seen so much food in his life. They had Elk ribs, deer chili, rabbit stew and of course Swedish Meatballs. Amongst other foods that were new to Ramon and the Greenville guest. It was funny to watch Oscar and Hal try to learn to Clog dance. They had a polka band and DJ. The party lasted until 9pm.

Everyone was staying at the Elbow Lake Lodge. That was the only hotel for miles. They became regulars at Han's House in those 4 days. They learned to love German food.

Ramon had a chance to sit down and talk to her parents to get to know them and they know him in return. Afterwards they felt comfortable having him as a Son in law. He met the rest of the family. Her sister Eva and brothers Karl Jr and Ben. There were dozens of cousins, aunts and uncles. He joked with them it was like a mexican family.

The wedding was held at the family church. Ramon had to met the Pastor. It was a beautiful day in the country. Jose was the best man with Hal, Oscar and Bernie being Groomsmen. Ingrid's sister Eva was her Maid of Honor as well as some friends from college who acted as their Bridemaids. Ingrid looked beautiful walking down the aisle on her father arm.

The reception was helod at the local Fire Hall. They had a DJ and halfway through a Marichi band showed up. Jose looked like the cat that caught the canary. When asked how he found a Marichi band in Minnesota he just laughed and said he knew people who knew people.

A year later they were blessed with a beautiful baby girl they named Helene after Ramons mother. Ramon was the happiest man in the world and finally had everything he wanted and needed, a beautiful daughter and he little Swedish Meatball.

The End