How To Bake A Proper Pie

Chapter Five

It was a warm and late afternoon because after all, it was already spring. Karl could feel the sun rays gradually fading behind the buildings and out of sight. He stepped carefully towards the window, opening his hazel eyes, which had turned a honey-like color as the sun moved. He knew he should have closed the shop long ago, as he normally did, but the prospect of returning to his old and deserted house made him sick to his stomach. He inhaled deeply, and the fact that he could feel the fresh air in his lungs no longer filled him with determination. It was then he made the decision to close the shop and return home.

The apron was on the proper hook, all the tools were in their rightful place, and the flowers had been removed from their vases, yet Karl still felt odd. He took a few steps back and realized he had forgotten to put the chairs up and clean the floor. As a result, he began working on completing these two assignments.

To his amazement, he suddenly heard the doorbell ring. How did that human sneak inside when the doors were meant to be shut? Even though Karl was startled, he didn't bother to look the visitor in the eyes. Instead, he continued to mop the floor and declare, "We're closed." From what Karl could tell, the guy didn't move one inch. Karl wanted to look up so badly, but he didn't want to give the customer the pleasure of feeling important.

Karl was too grumpy to act pleasant because it was late and he was tired. Everybody knew that the shop closed a few hours ago, so why is this man trying to disturb his peace? Today was a long and hard day and Karl wasn't in the mood for dealing with annoying customers. "Didn't you hear what I said? We're closed," Karl declared angrily. As a reaction, he received nothing but silence. This stranger was really beginning to get on his nerve.

Karl was not in the mood for this at all. He was stressed out because of a lot of things today and he didn't need anything more. "I said we're closed," he repeated himself, almost shouting this time. He stopped moping, the hold on the wooden handle getting stronger, nearly breaking the mop. The unnamed man appeared to be afraid of this action and backed away. "I apologize for bothering you at this late hour. It's simply that I heard you're searching for a small man with short black hair who wears suits frequently and loves this shop's apple pie," Karl could feel the growing smile on the man's face. He didn't have the time or energy for games like this, didn't the man notice that already? "Yes, and what about it?!?" He said, his voice sounding harsh.

He was trying to forget about the kind stranger that showed up at his store a few weeks ago, so why is this man putting salt on an open wound? "I've heard his name is William, Will if I may," the man stated as he approached Karl. Karl was stopped in his tracks by the way the man said 'William.' Why does the stranger's voice now feel familiar to him?

The stranger was now standing right in front of Karl, which made Karl's curiosity take over him. He slowly looked up and met with the darkest eyes that he's seen only once in his lifetime and yet he knew them so well. They looked so calm and beautiful, especially now when the sunset took over them. At this moment Karl could see all the colors in them, dancing beautifully in harmony. And for a moment, it felt like all the stress and build-up anxiety in him, was released.