Another day at work. Like every other ordinary morning, Frida entered "Baked Bliss", the small bakery her dear friend John owned and ruled at the south of Gamla Stan. It was one of those places well known for wrapping you into a warm sensation as soon as you entered, from the sweet but not cloying smell to the kind treatment one could receive, Frida was the one in charge of that particular last part as the fine receptionist she'd been during the last three years. It all started when John decided to bring his hobby to people's palate, he started with a small business in his garage but soon he settled in the most popular place in town, Frida was there since day one supporting him, going to give him a hand from time to time in her spare time and then like a plant job. It was not her dream job, but it covered her needs when she needed the most, both economically and emotionally. Just entering felt familiar and safe, like usual.
"John! We are here!" Frida pushed the stroller to the back of the store, walking across the check-in-counter and the stands with the perfect desserts to cross the door to the break room.
"Gimme a minute!"
Frida smiled at his response. Knowing the routine, he'd be filling the trays with freshly baked bread. She left her handbag on the large brown sofa along with the baby bag. "Hey baby. We're here." She spoke softly to her sleeping daughter. Her heart swelled with love and something else, something that formed a knot in her throat every time. She barely slept the last three nights. Three nights of overthinking and anxiety. Three nights of expectation and despair. All because of a man who didn't show up nor called, though she was sure he would.
The fool I am, she thought. To even consider he'd want anything to do with her was absurd, Benny was hurt, mad and disappointed of her, she wouldn't blame him. She messed it up in the most giant way possible. Despite it all, she lowkey remained hopeful because she knew him well; he was kindhearted, comprehensible, sensible and reasonable, it was a matter of time only and he'd come back. In the meanwhile, she was a mess of a person, and apparently Synni began to perceive it because the little one had a terrible night as well. It took Frida hours to put her to sleep.
Frida ran her index finger down Synni's warm cheek, in return, Synni sighed but remained asleep. Frida gathered courage in that moment. Her daughter needed her to be as strong and cool-headed as she'd always been. She fixed the blanket and her pacifier and went out to get ready for the day. Being able to take her daughter to work was the biggest help she could ever receive, John had no objections and agreed to let her take her from day one, it was like a second home for Synni, they even remodeled one of the warehouses and turned it into a break room, so Frida could work with the assurance that Synni was just a few steps behind in good condition. Thank John for allowing her.
The clock already marked eight fifteen, which meant she was a bit late. The start time was eight but she always arrived fifteen minutes earlier, not fifteen minutes later. She would have to give her boss an explanation, but how to explain that her daughter's father was back which meant her world was turned upside down once again, making sleep impossible for her therefore she arrived late? Absolutely not. I need to stop thinking about him, she told herself as she turned on the laptop. Her duties included taking inventory, tidying up the premises and serving customers. She was good with words and her charisma was a great help when it came to sales. She was typing the password when John came out the back door which led to the kitchen.
"Hello, hello! How are we today?"
Frida gazed up at him; he was dressed in his usual denim apron and wearing that splendid, almost toxic, attitude considering it was Monday. She gave him the best smile she could bring. A mask. "Hello John, we are fine." She received the cheek-kiss he gave her. "Although late. I am —"
