Then, she suddenly laughed. “Margaret wasn’t exaggerating about your ears.”
I sighed. “Wonderful. My reputation arrived before I did.”
Denise led me behind the counter.
Customers ordered coffee while employees carried trays of pastries.
Then she pointed toward the menu.
I froze.
“Margaret wasn’t exaggerating.”
Halfway down the menu, in large letters, were the words:
“TOMMY’S TERRIBLE TOAST.”
I stared. “What on earth?”
Denise grinned. “It’s one of our bestsellers.”
“What on earth?”
Underneath the name was a description.
“Sweet cinnamon toast inspired by the only boy who could burn bread and still convince Maggie to kiss him.”
My face grew hot. “She named a pastry after me?”
“Years ago.”
Denise handed me a piece.
I tasted it.
It was delicious!
I tasted it.
“Margaret invented this?”
“Yes. She said the original was considerably less edible.”
I laughed until tears rolled down my cheeks.
Then, the manager showed me a framed photo behind the counter.
Margaret and me at 17.
“Margaret invented this?”
Underneath, my first love had written:
“Some people are worth waiting for. Others should stay away from the stove.”
I stood there, smiling at that photo.
Even after more than four decades apart, she’d remembered my terrible cooking.
I stood there, smiling at that photo.
***
Unfortunately, owning a bakery wasn’t as simple as receiving free cinnamon rolls.
I knew nothing about running a business.
My first meeting with Wade and Denise involved payroll, suppliers, equipment maintenance, and tax paperwork.
I stared at the documents. “Would it help if I prayed over these?”
Wade grinned. “Only if your prayers include bookkeeping.”
I stared at the documents.
I laughed, but I was worried.
Margaret had worked too hard for me to ruin everything.
***
For several days, I considered selling the bakery.
Then I reread her letter.
I was worried.
I hadn’t noticed it before, but on the back, she’d written:
“Tommy, don’t let fear make your decisions. You’ve always been braver than you think.”
I decided to give myself time.
Wade helped me understand the finances.
Denise explained the daily operations.
I hadn’t noticed it.
