Angry Baker's Arc

Chapter 2 of 13

Allan opened the bakery at five in the morning, same as always. He set out the croissants and the rye loaves on the front display. By eight, only two customers had come through. By ten, Mrs. Smith walked past his window without stopping. She used to buy bread every Thursday. He saw the billboard on his lunch break, driving toward the supplier to check prices. Yellow and bold, announcing a new bakery opening three blocks over. Grand opening discounts. Free samples all weekend. Allan's hands tightened on the wheel. He turned around without placing his order. Back at the shop, he watched through the window as a group of people carried pastries from the new place. They sat at the cedar picnic table outside, laughing, tearing apart danishes that looked like his but cost half as much. One of them held a birthday cake with bright frosting and candles. Allan recognized the woman. She'd ordered from him for years, every birthday, always the same vanilla with buttercream. She never called this time. He locked the bakery early and drove home. Melissa was in the kitchen, the wedding catalogue still open on the counter. He pulled out his journal and stared at February twenty-fourth, the date he'd circled two days ago. The wedding needed money. The new bakery was taking his customers. He couldn't set a date he couldn't pay for. Allan closed the journal and put it back in his pocket without saying anything. Melissa looked up, waiting, but he turned away. The question he'd planned to ask stayed locked in his throat, and the silence between them grew heavier than before.