Angry Baker's Arc

Chapter 4 of 13

Allan waited. He kept the bakery open on schedule, baked his usual batches, and watched the door. Tuesday brought no customers. Wednesday brought one. By Thursday afternoon, he understood that waiting wasn't the same as winning. On Friday morning, Allan walked three blocks to see if the competing bakery had closed. A bright pink and yellow sign stood in the window: CLOSED. A white notice hung beside it, official stamps visible through the glass. Allan read the words "Health Violation" at the top. The problem had gone away on its own, just like he'd hoped. He walked back to his shop and unlocked the door. Mrs. Smith came in that afternoon holding a copy of the same notice. "Heard they made people sick," she said, setting it on the counter. "I'm back for my usual loaf." Allan pulled fresh bread from the display shelf outside and wrapped it. She paid and left. Two more customers followed her before closing. Allan counted the cash in the register. It was more than yesterday, but not enough to cover what he'd lost. The competing bakery was gone, but his customers hadn't rushed back. Some had gotten sick from bad food. Others had simply moved on. Allan locked the register and looked at the empty shop. He'd been right that the problem would disappear, but wrong that disappearing would be enough. Waiting had cost him time he couldn't get back, and now he'd have to earn every customer again, one loaf at a time.