Baked Goods

11. nana for lunch

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"Why are you frowning?" I asked Malachi as we walked towards Baked Goods early one morning.

A customer had asked for a big order and even though Malachi had insisted I stay at home, it didn't feel right in the heart of my bottom (otherwise know as my bum) to sleep while Cliff and Tsu picked up my slack. Or was it sac?

"Hakuna matata means family. Family means no one gets left behind or forgotten," I'd said to my work family yesterday.

Malachi told me later when we were going to the bus stop that I'd said the wrong word back there. Hurriedly, he'd assured me that it was okay since Tsu and Cliff did not notice.

"Is it hakuna ma-tit?" I remembered smiling slyly.

Boob jokes were never not funny. It was the same with bum jokes. But bums were a soft spot for me since I had none. Anyway, I'd pretended not to notice the furious blush on his cheeks because a lot of time, he'd bestowed the same courtesy upon me. I had a feeling I'd reduce my employer to a sputtering mess if I said this to him but he was one of the kindest people I'd met in the eighteen years I'd been on this planet.

"It's ohana. Not hakuna matata."

The rest of the way, Malachi had tried to comfort me but I was unable to look him in the eye. Even when he'd given me a packet of his infamous cherry bonbons, I had been unable to lift my head and thank him.

Bottom line, despite the embarrassment, was that I was here to lend a hand to my work family. The sun was rising and the moon was reluctantly hiding away. There was a gentle breeze in the air and I was as happy as ever.

"I didn't win the lottery," he replied grumpily now, dragging his feet next to me with half closed eyes.

"Me too!" I beamed.

Although, I hadn't even bought a ticket. So, really, whose fault was that?

"Why are you so happy then? And watch your step," he grumbled. "Would it kill you to look both ways before crossing?"

Mr Walter wouldn't kill me. He hated prison ever since his son spent a night there for flashing a few police officer his ding dong.

I thought about Malachi's question for a while before deciding to be honest. I did not feel like lying to him that his cannabis infested brownies were making me happy. It was too early for him to have a stroke.

"I have conditioned myself to easily feel happiness," I explained. "I just figured since I don't believe in reincarnation, I might as well live a happy life. At first, I had to force myself to smile when I ate, if people were nice to me or if realised the weather was nice. But now I don't have to. I'm mostly always happy."

He was looking at me with wide eyes. "Did you just have a serious conversation with me?"

I smirked. "Maybe I'll take you to the person who gave me this advice. Then you won't be so grumpy."

"Your Nana?" He asked curiously.

I shook my head, "The hooker on Appleberry street."

He rolled his eyes before sighing. "I knew it was too good to be true."

As we walked into the bakery, I wondered why Malachi, Nana or even Ellis did not believe me when I told them about Sparkles, my hooker bestfriend on Appleberry street. She was a very real friend of mine. In fact, she was one of my best friends.