Page 13 of A Dash of You

The last place I decide to check is Sunlight Creeks’s very own café. A thrill floats inside me, wishing I’d started here.

When I saunter inside, the little bell above the door rings and an older lady pops up from behind the counter sporting a wide, genuine smile. “Hello there! Welcome to Shelby’s Café. What can I get you, dear?” Her short graying hair is in large tight curls and she’s unfortunately sporting a wrist brace.

“Actually, I was wondering if you’re hiring. I’m new in town and can really use a job.”

It’s been so long since I’ve worked a real job. The memory of being forced to perform churns my stomach, but I put that aside for now and plaster on a fake smile. Faking positivity can trick your mind into believing it's real and I’ve gotten good at doing that.

“Well, let’s see.” She turns around facing the back of the coffee shop. “Frank, honey, take over for me. I’m going to talk to this nice young lady.”

An older gentleman appears from the back with a polite grin while she gestures for me to follow. It’s a cute place, a little outdated, but cute. It has character. Old soul vibes with Victorian décor. Suppose it’s fitting for those who owned it.

The old woman winces as she sits down at the small round table. “These old bones aren’t what they used to be.” She chuckles through the obvious discomfort. “My name is Shelby. As you might have guessed.” Her wrinkles are prominent as she flashes me with a polite smile.

I reciprocate. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Sora.”

“What a lovely name.”

“Thank you.” My mother loved the name so much and she knew I’d be Sora. It means sky.

She’d found the Asian culture to be beautiful. Lana’s mother would spend hours talking to her about how she’d grown up.

“Now tell me. Do you have any experience? Ever worked in a coffee shop before?”

“No.” I bite my bottom lip. “But I do love coffee.” Maybe my love for it will help my case or I’ll just crash and burn.

She tilts her head with a friendly nod. “How about any type of retail service like food or dining?”

“Well. Not exactly.”

“Mmm. Why do you want to work here, Sora? Besides needing a job.”

I’m losing this. This sweet old lady is never going to hire me.

“I…” I let out a breath. “I really need this job. And if you give me a chance, I really think I’ll be good at it.” Coffee. Pastries. Soft music. It has all the right vibes. This place is perfect for me. “Please.”

There’s a sympathetic pat to my hand with a regretful smile to add. “To be honest, we need help in the kitchen with the baking. These old hands can’t handle much more. And my husband, love him dearly, just doesn’t have it in him like he usedto.” She leans in with a whisper. “His cookies are starting to taste like cardboard.”

I softly chuckle and the defeat washing over me minutes ago, changes into a glimmer of hope. My eyes grow bigger with excitement. “I bake!” I bark out. A little too enthusiastically. “I bake and I’m really good at it,” I tell her confidently.

Shelby’s eyes flash with hope. “You do? That’s… well, I’ll have to put you through a small test first—”

“I’ll do it!” I proudly straighten in my seat. “You can put me through a test right now.”

Shelby glances between me and the back. “This is our slow time.” She gives it another thought before agreeing. “Let’s do it.” She claps her hands together, then leads us to the back.

She introduces me to her husband, Frank, then gives me a quick tour before they both leave me for my first test. Checking the ingredients, excitement overwhelms me. My test subject: chocolate ganache layer cake.

I grab all the stuff I need, throw on an apron, and start whipping up the best damn cake I have ever made.

This job, needed for obvious financial reasons, is also important to me. It would be the only thing to call mine. To take seriously. And it’s been too long since that feeling pulsed inside me.

A hum escapes, happiness washing over me. In this element, I’m content, reminding me just how long I’ve lacked joy.

It’s impressive how I still remember the recipes I used to bake with my dad. Not all, but there were a few still drilled into my memories.

After it’s done, I take out the cake, test it to be sure, then set it on the cooling rack.

There’s no chocolate ganache cake without frosting, so I get to work and start heating the heavy cream in a pan, gathering the dark chocolate.

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