Page 29 of Heartbreak & Cupcakes
SADIE
A yawn claimedme as I walked up the steps from the Civic Center BART station. I split my daily donations between Hyde Street Homeless Shelter, Safe Haven Women and Family Home, and the Bay View Senior Center.
Today, I was headed to the senior center.
This had been a particularly busy week at the bakery, and I was feeling it. My shoulders ached and my lower back felt like it was tied up in knots. Not that I was complaining. I was thrilled that my business was thriving the way it was. I was hoping that soon I’d be able to afford to courier the daily drop-offs. But I wasn’t there yet.
I’d been commissioned for about a dozen weddings and events coming up, which meant soon I’d have no choice but to hire another baker. Yana and I could barely keep up with the demand now.
At the thought of my business expanding excitement infused me and there was a little pep in my step as I adjusted the boxes of treats in my arms. My plan was to drop off the goodies and then make a quick exit. I had a hot date with a frozen pizza, a glass of rosé, a DVR’d episode ofThe Bachelor, and the couch—after I took Eeyore for a walk that is. Even though, if I was honest, the only bachelor I really wanted to see was San Francisco’s Most Eligible. But sadly, he’d only been into the shop once last week.
I hadn’t seen Mr. Smolder since I’d had chocolate on my nose and blurted out that I was taking a dating sabbatical. I was doing my best not to read too much into his absence, but I was failing miserably at it. I just kept replaying our last interaction in my head over and over. And each time I came to the same conclusion. He wasn’t coming in because I’d been so awkward.
Note to self:act much cooler if, by some miracle, he returned to the bakery.
As I pulled the door open to the senior center, I was relieved when I saw that there was no one at the front desk. My quick getaway was within my grasp. I could feel my fingertips brushing its handle when I heard my name.
“Sadie!” Monica, the director of operations beamed as she stepped out from her office. “I’m so glad you’re here! We have some very unhappy customers on the days we don’t see you.”
I smiled widely as I set down four boxes of tasty treats. “Well, hopefully you’ll have some very happy customers tonight.” As much as it bummed me out that people were upset when I didn’t bring in the leftovers, I had to admit it felt good that they were happy when I did.
“Do you have time to bring them back? I know everyone would love to see you.” Monica’s hopeful expression pulled at my heartstrings.
All I wanted to do was go home, snuggle up with Achoo and Eeyore and watch twenty women vie for the attentions of a man, but if it would actually brighten up the days of the residents to see me, roses and wine could wait.
I pasted a smile on my face. “Sure.”
Monica lifted her badge in front of the keycard reader, the green light turned on and she opened the door as she spoke beneath her breath as we walked down the hallway. “Gladys got a new hairdo today. She’sveryhappy about it. And Lorna is a little emotional over Brad and Angelina splitting up.”
“They broke up years ago.”
“I know. But we watched Mr. & Mrs. Smith for our movie night and the divorce came up. Apparently, no one had told her, or she forgot. Either way, she’s devastated.”
When we walked into the community room, my eyes were immediately drawn to the exposed ductwork and beams. The last time I was here the room had a dropped ceiling composed of dingy tiles and fluorescent lighting. The space had a much more industrial, modern, clean feel.
“Wow. When did all this happen?”
“Last weekend,” Monica explained. “The new owner is doing all sorts of renovations. He started with improving the residents’ rooms and then the communal spaces, and now he’s updating the kitchen.”
“That’s amazing!”
Monica’s mouth flattened into a straight line as she nodded her head. Her expression did not seem to reflect my enthusiasm.
“Or not?” I clarified, wondering what I was missing.
She lowered her voice and took a step toward me. “I’m just worried that he might be doing all of this so he can increase the rent. If that happens...” Her words trailed off as she shook her head.
I knew that look. It was the look of not having enough money to pay the bills. I related to that look. Although, Monica had one hundred and seven residents that were depending on her. I had myself, Achoo, Eeyore, and Yana. And, let’s be real, Yana, Achoo, and Eeyore would all be just fine without me.
At a loss for words, I did what I always did to try and make things better. I lifted the lid on the pink pastry box. “Cookie?”
A smile spread on her face as she grabbed a snickerdoodle. She took one bite before she got a page. “Speaking of the new owner. He’s here now, I think he wants to take a look at the progress.” She took a deep breath. “Gotta go.”
“One more for the road?” I held the box up to her.
“I’ve put on five pounds the last six months and it’s all your fault.” She grinned before grabbing another and heading out.
I set the boxes down and realized that no one had spotted me. I still had a chance at slipping out without being noticed. My body ached and the couch was calling me. I was less than twenty minutes away from curling up on it and watching twenty women cry over a man they just met but were sure they had a connection with.
