Page 11 of Half Baked

Stevie moves the pizza to the middle of my prep table and flips it open, then says, “You had your audition planned. What do you think you are still worried about?”

“I was so excited about the things this could mean for my business, that I forgot it meant I would have to beon the show. I don’t like the idea of being so… in the spotlight.” I reach for a slice of pizza and take a generous bite. The audition hasn’t even happened, and yet I’m worrying about all the episodes already.

“Then let’s make a pros and cons list,” Ivy suggests, pulling a notepad from her tote.

“Pros. What will this mean for your business?”

“It means I get to keep it. There’s nothing bigger than that,” I admit. “I can pay off the renovation bills and get the equipment I need to operate. Also, I could hire someone to not have to do this all on my own. I would finally feel like I wasn’t drowning anymore.”

“I’m making those each their own pro,” Ivy decides aloud.

“What’s another pro, besides financial stability?” Wren asks.

“It would be cool to feel accomplished, being selected like that. Nana Annette would be so proud.”

“It’s already such an accomplishment that they want to meet you,” Stevie assures me.

“We’re all already proud of you. But this is about what you want, so let’s hear the cons,” Ivy says, plucking a handful of black olives off a slice and tossing them in the box before taking a bite of pizza.

“I’m worried that this is going to ruin the main reason that I bake. I don’t want to lose that feeling of comfort. Look how nervous I am, it’s the opposite of comforting.”

“Maybe we can help with that though. We’re here for you,” Wren assures me.

“I wish you could just audition with me.”

“Oh, how fun would that be,” Stevie muses. “But no, some of us should not be trusted in a kitchen.” She shoots a pointed look at Wren.

“Meaning me,” Wren agrees. “I’m a great taste tester though. And very willing to try all these potential candidates,” she motions around the room.

“But I don’t see the Annette scones,” Ivy notices. “If you made those for the audition it would be a way to stay true to yourself.”

My mind drifts back to how Hayden eyed the scones with disdain the other day. What if floral notes are too much for this show?

But no. I must be spiraling if I’m consideringhisopinion. “You all think they would be a good one to do?” I ask. I trust their advice over anything Hayden offers.

“Definitely,” Stevie confirms.

“They are your signature thing.”

“They’d be perfect.”

“And you can tell the story about Annette. How she helped raise you and taught you to bake. It’s that heartfelt piece that makes the show popular,” Ivy points out.

She’s right. A young girl’s dream tended to by strong family ties is the kind of “small-town charming” the show loves to highlight.

“Maybe this can be a way to honor her. Put Nana in the spotlight instead, kind of,” I hope aloud.

“Have you called your mom with the news? Maybe Heidi can help with the family component.”

I purse my lips. “I haven’t, she’s off at some meditative retreat in Arizona. But as far as the Wheeler women go, she’d be the one most likely to flourish on TV.”

“Do you think she would get upset if it was focused on Annette?”

“No,” I answer without hesitation. “She had me so young, she was always more like a big sister anyway growing up. I don’t think she’d be offended if I paint my grandma as the maternal figure in my life.”

They all nod, more than likely thinking back to our high school days with Heidi flitting in and out of town on her whims.

“Then I think you have your audition,” Wren tells me with a soft smile.

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