WIP

“Those smell wonderful Nancy, they always do.”
“Well thank you, I hope they taste just as good as they smell. Would you like to try one Frank?”
“Yes ma’am, any opportunity to have a taste of heaven, is an opportunity I’ll take.”
Frank’s appearance clashed horribly with the surrounding décor of the bakery. The only thing that made him blend in was the cup of coffee Nancy had just given him. He wore a charcoal gray suit, with a smooth black shirt under his jacket. He wore no tie. He never did. His shoes reflected the warm ceiling lights, and seemed to shine just as bright. However the dark leather stood on the smooth burnt orange ceramic tiles like an elephant trying to tiptoe through daisies. All around him there were colorful signs depicting some of the delicacies that could be found inside of Nancy’s Bakery. He always liked the name of the bakery, he thought it suited Nancy perfectly. She had no need for an ostentatious name, it didn’t suit her, just plain, simple, straightforward, that’s how Nancy was.
As Nancy walked through her bakery toward the rear of the store where the were large cushioned leather chairs and loveseats, with dark maple wood coffee tables all around them Frank asked her, “ So how are things going with the bakery?” He always wanted to make more than small talk with Nancy, but for some reason he never could bring himself to. He was carrying a tray full of steaming mugs of hot chocolate, as he followed Nancy around delivering orders to customers.
“Very well thank you Frank, and how are you this morning?” she replied now nearing the windows where there are tables two can sit at and enjoy some fresh baked goods, coffee, or hot cocoa. These windows look out into the city and off in the distance customers can see Lake Michigan. During the cold seasons is when the bakery does best, people just can’t resist looking in at the warm bakery with the comfy chairs, steaming cups of coffee and baked goods fresh out of the oven, and they come in to fight off the chill. With their icy wind blasted red faces they step through the front doors into Nancy’s Bakery, and feel immediately welcome and at home. There is a row of wooden pegs jutting out of the front wall for jackets and beanies. In the very back where the large loveseats sit inviting someone to relax, there is a large fireplace built into the wall, during the winter the fire never goes out. Those lucky enough to find themselves in the two overstuffed chairs can almost always be found nodding off in the presence of the warmth.
“I’m doing very well this morning Nancy. I enjoy the brisk winter air very much.” He opened his mouth as if about to say more, but then shut it quickly as if he couldn’t think of anything else to say and handed Nancy her tray.
“Would you like anything else Frank?’ Nancy asked as she put a large envelope stuffed with green bills in a red box filled with fresh white chocolate chip macadamia nut cookies and melt in your mouth caramel brownies.
Taking the box with a smile that reached his eyes and dazzled Nancy with perfect white teeth, “No Nancy, this will be all. Thank you for everything, how much do I owe you for the cookie and coffee?”
“Don’t be silly Frank, your money is no good here you know that. You just come back and see me before next month so we can continue our conversation on why Little Debbie ought to be imprisoned and executed. How dare she call her products ‘baked goods.’ ”
“Thank you so much Nancy, I’ll be sure to stop by, have a good day.”
And, with that, Frank stepped toward the door of the bakery, politely holding it open for an elderly couple. He then stepped out of the bakery and met the icy wind without so much as a flinch. He looked up and down the street, and casually walked out of Nancy’s sight.