45 | Bakery

Sal's Bakery...Sal's Bakery...I think that sounds familiar and I think I know where that is. Do I? I do. Or am I just trying to convince myself that I do when I really don't? Are these questions helping me at all? I doubt it. I seriously doubt that they are doing anything. I also seriously doubt that I'm going in the right direction... Please universe, help a guy out? Please?

First, there's a crinkle. Then, there's a whistle. I look over my shoulder to find a girl whistling to herself, swinging a brown paper bag at her side. I stop abruptly, whipping around to face her. Catching her slightly off guard, she pauses as her eyes widen.

My eyes flick down to her bag and I find that my suspicions were correct. I put on a smile, hoping to put her at ease a little and point excitedly at the bag.

"Did you just come from there? From Sal's Bakery I mean?"

Her face relaxes as she nods.

"Yeah, I did. Nothing like fresh morning buns right?" She smiles, holding up the bag.

"Yeah! Actually I'm looking for the bakery and I can't seem to find it anywhere."

Her eyes follow my hands as I wave them around wildly, trying to explain. Why do I always do that?

"Well you're going in the wrong direction..." She snorts. "Did you GPS it?"

"Oh...no...I never thought to do that for some reason..." That would've been helpful.

"Ok," she smiles awkwardly. "Well, if you know where you're going it's pretty easy to find, it's just a little tucked away. Walk where I just came from, keep going until you see the second alley, right past the toy store. Walk down the alley until you reach the opening then turn right and it'll be right there. You'll probably smell it before you see it."

"Thank you! Oh, you have no idea how much you have helped me! I could kiss you right now! I won't, but I could!"

And thank you universe!

Throwing her one last smile I jog around the girl and down the sidewalk (in the direction I just came from...but I'm just going to ignore that part)

Ok, there's the first alley. Thank god it's not that one because it looks kinda sketchy. Not that I don't think I can't handle myself...I just have better things to do. Yeah, that's a logical.

I look up at the shop signs, scanning for a toy store, as I slow down to a fast walk. This is when I realize how out of breath I am. Man I am out of shape. I don't even remember the last time I ran this much, or really ran at all. Something is just really taking over me and I can't seem to control it. Not that I really want to control it but I don't know if I've ever felt anything this strong before.

Hey, there's a toy store! And there's an alleyway! The second I turn the corner I know I'm going in the right direction. The smell is overwhelmingly delicious. It's bready and sweet and could easily draw in anyone walking in a 5 mile radius.

My pace quickens again as I stride down the alley and cut to the right around the side of the building. Just as the girl had said, sitting in from of me is Sal's Bakery, waiting. As soon as I walk in a head pops up from behind the counter.

"Hello!" The man greets.

As he stands up straighter I can see that he is quite a husky man with a dark 5 o'clock shadow, contrasting his bright smile. He peers at me from over small wire glasses, sitting at the edge of his nose, taking me in.

"What can I do for you on this fine morning?" He chuckles as I catch my breath again.

"Well—I'm actually—looking for—someone." I take a deep breath, hoping maybe that'll help me talk. "I think she's coming—or maybe she's been here—her name's Daisy."

"Oh Daisy! Yes!" His face lights up even more.

"You—you know Daisy too?"

"Yes, of course. It is always a treat to see her when she runs errands for Sandy!"

Geez, does everyone in the town know Daisy?

"Well, I was wondering if she's been here yet?" I let my eyes drift over the bakery, taking in the warm feel of it all. Also taking in how empty it is.

The only other people in here are an older couple, seemingly waiting for their order. But theres no sign of anyone else.

"Yes, she has. She actually just left not too long ago. She usually runs a few more errands before coming back in to pick up her order."

"Well how long until the order is ready?"

"It can take anywhere from five to ten minutes. Now, tell me, are you a friend of Daisy's? Or..." The man raises a curious eyebrow.

"I—uh—yes I am. And I need to find her to tell her something. It's kind of important."

"Oh, ok!" He chuckles. "Well feel free to wait here until she comes back."

My eyes shift to the clock behind his head. I watch as the tiny second hand ticks by. The longer it ticks the more impatient I get. Each tick makes my hands clench even more, my foot tap even faster and my heart rate jump even higher. Soon the sound of the ticking closely resembles the sound of symbols being clashed by your ears.

"No! I can't!"

The man's bushy eyebrows shoot up to his hairline.

"Sorry. I mean thank you for the offer but I—well I can't wait. I have to go find her. I have to tell her... I have to tell her now. It can't wait. Well, I can't wait."

Without waiting for a response I spin on my heels and stumble back towards the door, leaving the enticing smell behind me.

"Well, good luck!" The man calls behind me.

"Thank you!"

I think I'm going to need a lot of luck... Or maybe just a strategy.