Chapter 11

The next morning, I do as Alexa previously instructed and lug my belongings into my car to head over to her bakery. I have no idea what to expect or what she has in store for me, but I pray it’s something that will work out.  

To be honest, I’m plum exhausted and turning into an emotional wreck. I don’t recognize myself anymore, and I need a profound pick-me-up, something to boost my moral. For once, I don’t think a cupcake will solve this depression. I just hope that whatever Alexa suggests will be a venture I can get on board with, something reasonable and not outlandish, like couch surfing with strangers.

Of course, I have no reason not to trust Alexa. She is so kind and compassionate, and her customers sure do seem to love her…along with anyone else whose path she lights up, including mine. She has a calming nature about her, a demeanor that reels you in. I’m going to implore confidence in her and hope for the best. Still, when you’re officially homeless, it’s hard to hope for anything.

I heave my final bag into my car and get behind the wheel, ready to say goodbye to grandma’s house forever. I’m torn between staring at it in the rearview mirror and never looking back. Either way, it’s going to be painful.

I take a deep breath and close my eyes, gripping the steering wheel before I crank up the engine and drive away. I just need a moment of silence for both myself, and for grandma’s estate. I just pray that whoever takes my place will care for the home the way I did, regarding its history and all the little quirks that make it such a great country home.

I roll down all four of my car windows, not because I want to allow the gentle spring breeze to flow through, but because the air conditioner is broken, and I have no other choice. As soon as the heat of summer starts to pick up each year, I am totally screwed. My car makes damn sure that my makeup and hair will look horrible in the summer months.

I hate being down on my luck, and as I drive the familiar roads to the bakery on Main Street, all I can do is keep telling myself it’s going to be okay. Something will work out. Something has to.

There is still a part of me wondering if I’m crazy for doing this, but desperate times call for desperate measures. I have to go with the flow and it’s not like there are employers out there lining up to beg me to take a position. I’m a first year college drop out and have no experience other than caring for my grandma, and that doesn’t make a very good resume.

My options are limited, and even though I don’t have any bakery experience, or register handling experience for that matter, I’ll make sure I learn quickly and do a wonderful job for Alexa. At this rate, I should be groveling at Alexa’s feet because she is coming to my rescue. I park my car on a side street because I don’t want all of my belongings to be exposed to all the people passing by. I also don’t want to take up a parking space that could be used for real customers.

It’s not a far walk to the bakery, and once I get inside, I’m greeted by Alexa herself. She’s bright eyed and confident, looking beautiful in her seamless makeup and long floral print dress.

“Good morning!” She beams at me and gives me a friendly wave from the back of the bakery.

“Hi,” I wave shyly as the door chimes behind me.

The bakery isn’t open to customers yet, and Keesha isn’t here yet so it’s just the two of us. I’m not normally a morning person, but I can’t complain if I’m going to be getting paid to rise and shine a little earlier than I’m accustomed to. This job is important.

Alexa ties an apron over her dress and walks up to me. “Come on,” she says brightly. “I’ll show you around.”

“That sounds good to me,” I say with a warm smile. “I’m excited to start working.”

“I’m excited to have you. We are always in need of loyal, decent help around here. I do all the baking, which is what I’m good at, but everything else needs work.”

“I’m happy to join the team,” I say with a grin. I’ve never been much of a baker, but I can clean, organize, and talk to customers. As far as I’m concerned, I can do anything she needs me to because I’m not losing this job.

The bakery itself is adorable with cute, feminine accents and an overall cozy feel to it that makes me want to live here forever, surviving on baked goods and pastels.

Alexa shows me around the front, but I’ve been in here as a customer so I know most of it already. Then we go through a set of swinging double doors that lead to the employee only section of the bakery. It’s just past the kitchen and looks clean and organized.

Alexa points to a keypad on the wall, and next to it is a computer. “I’ll give you the code to get inside the store if you are on the schedule to open,” she instructs.

I nod. “That sounds perfect.”

“You’ll use this computer to clock in and out,” she tells me. “Your employee number will just be your birthday, the month and day.”

“Cool,” I say and glance at the computer. “It looks easy enough.”

“Everything will be a breeze, you’ll see.” Alexa is so smooth and friendly I know she must be right.

“I bake my cupcakes fresh every day,” Alexa boasts proudly as we walk back to the kitchen. “So I’m usually here around six in the morning, but you don’t need to get here until a few minutes before we open. Oh, I almost forgot the best part!” Alexa chimes. “Wait here, I’ll be right back.”

She jogs through the double doors again leading to the back and comes out a few seconds later carrying an apron.

“For you,” she grins and hands it to me with a flourish. “Your fashion accessory to join the bakery team. As soon as you put it on, you will officially be one of us.”

I place the apron over my head and tie the strings around my back.

“How do I look?” I laugh as I do a little twirl spin.

Alexa claps as if she’s judging a runway model. “Simply marvelous darling,” she croons in a fake British accent.

I do a little curtsey bow before we head back to the front of the bakery.

“So here is the cash register,” Alexa says and gives it a pat. “Her name is Sweetie.”

I laugh. “That’s so cute. Of course, you would be the type to name your cash register.”

“You know me all too well,” Alexa says with a giggle and then pats Sweetie again. “Now I must tell you, Sweetie may look intimidating, but you don’t need to pay attention to half the stuff on here.”

“Okay,” I say and furrow my brow in concentration, ready to learn how to use the machine. It’s a newer technology, a cash drawer attached to an iPad on a swivel, so you swipe the credit cards and then turn it around to let the customer sign with their finger.

Alexa gives me instructions on how to make the sales, open the drawers and give cash back. She says some days we go without ever using cash at all since most people use credit cards. It seems simple enough, just like she promised. By the end of the tour and the training, I’m sure I can do this job after all.

By the time she’s finished showing me how the daily operations of the shop work, it’s time to switch the closed sign to open and start allowing customers inside.

She stays with me at the register for a few sales, just until I get the hang of it. Most of the patrons are accommodating and patient with me as I work diligently trying to learn my new trade. All of the people who come in the first hour seem like regulars, just like how Grandma and me used to be.

A couple of hours later, I clock out for a minor coffee break. I’m in the back, pouring creamer into my cup when Alexa approaches me again. At first, my heart drops through my chest because I don’t know if she’s here to reprimand me or lecture me about something. It’s a little weird having a person go from friend to boss in such a short time.

When I see that she’s smiling, relief washes over me.

“Best coffee ever,” I say, stirring my coffee with a little brown stirring stick.

“Tel me about it,” she says, patting her hands on her apron. “You are doing a fantastic job, I just want to let you know.”

“Thank you. It’s just my first day, but I totally love it here.”

Alexa’s eyes sparkle, and I don’t think it’s from my compliment. “I have some more good news for you.”

“You mean besides giving me a job?” I ask and take a sip of my coffee, intrigued. 

“Mmm-hmmm,” Alexa says cryptically as she twirls on her heel and grabs a cup to make her own coffee.

There is a little lull in the customers, but Alexa explained that there are parts of the day where they are busier than others and that it’s normal to experience a shift in the amounts of people we get coming in and out. That must be why she decided to come talk to me now.

“So, what’s this good news you speak of?” I ask and raise my eyebrows, unable to contain my excitement for a minute longer.

“Well…” Alexa begins, deliberately taking her time before spitting it out. “I have this cousin. He’s got a rental property just on the outskirts of town. It’s not terribly far away or anything,” she says with a reassuring tone.

I think I have a pretty good idea of what direction she’s heading with this, but I let her keep going without interrupting.

“The apartment is one bedroom and it’s been vacant for a while. He’s willing to allow you to rent it from him. For pretty cheap.”

“Are you serious?” I squeak with excitement.

“Yep,” Alexa nods, grinning into her coffee. “You won’t have to pay a deposit, either.”

“Wow,” I say.

“There is a downside however,” she states regretfully.

“Of course there is,” I laugh at the irony. “But a place to live is a place to live.”

“The reason there’s no deposit is because the apartment is in need of a few repairs.”

“That’s okay with me,” I shrug. After all, beggars can’t be choosers.

“So, you don’t mind living in a place that needs a little work?” Alexa asks with concern to make sure I understand what I’m agreeing to.

“Nope.” I shake my head and smile. “I am not afraid of renovations.”

Alexa’s face relaxes. “That’s great. I told him you would probably be fine with it.”

“I’m just thankful to not be homeless,” I joke, although deep down it doesn’t feel like a joke at all.

“The rent is super cheap too,” she tells me. “He said like maybe two or three hundred a month. He’s not even looking to make money and just wants to do me a favor.”

“That’s awesome!” Now I’m trying not to cry again. I’ve cried enough in my life. I shove aside my coffee and reel Alexa in for a hug. “Thank you so much. I’m going to be forever indebted to you.”

Alexa waves a dismissive hand. “Livi, it’s my pleasure to help a fellow girlfriend out.”

I smile, excited about the future for once. I picture the cousin to be an older fatherly type of guy who doesn’t really need the money from rent accrual but is willing to help out a younger girl who’s just trying to make it on her own. Those are the kind of people my grandma used to talk about, like how things were in the good old days. Maybe some people are still good.