"The First Seven Years" by Bernard Malamud

The ending of the story caught me by total SURPRISE!!!! I was shocked to find out that Sobel had been in love with the Shoemakers daughter the whole time. He was so in love with her that when he realized he no longer had a chance with her he left his job. He began to think his life was worthless. Once Feld, the shoemaker, agreed for Sobel to talk to his daughter Miriam, everything changes. Sobel is filled with hope again and returns to work for the shoemaker as his right hand man.I really did believe things were going to work out as the dad wanted with Miriam dating Max, but I guess stories, just like life, are full of surprises.