Hunter went to the bakery the very next day and, with the perfect new gift, he was ready
to make Alex his. This time he wouldn't get distracted by anything. He was determined. Hunter
marched into the bakery and walked straight up to the front counter where Alex was happily
standing.
"In that stylish outfit ", Hunter thought, "Alex is looking debonair."
Alex was wearing a new dark blue long sleeved dress shirt that he had gotten from his
father for his birthday. He had it untucked and unbuttoned revealing a white undershirt and
giving him a more casual and trendy look.For the first time in a while, Alex had his hair down. It
was shoulder length and a dark black. Hunter prefered it when it was up but he didn't complain.
Hunter was nothing compared to Alex in his baggy long sleeve shirt and white pants. He
started to walk slower as he lost confidence.
"Should I ask him out when I'm looking like this?" Hunter asked himself. "I do not think
this is a good idea."
He turned to walk back out the door.
"Good Morning, Sir." Alex's voice warmed his heart and gave Hunter his confidence
back.
"Hello." Hunter said bravely. "How has your day been?
"Bad." Alex said while looking down at his hands. "My dad yelled at me for not raking
the leaves in the yard this morning."
He picked up a slice of bread and put it on a plate. "He said that I was supposed to do it
yesterday, but I was so tired after work I just passed out when I got home. He told me to stop being lazy. My sister hasn't done any of her chores, she can't even bake, but do you see her in
trouble? NO! You don't!
"You don't see my dad telling her everyday how bad she is at baking and how she,
'Needs to improve'. But 'cause I'm the "eldest" and I need to be "responsible" and I'm "selfish"
one when I try to bring up going to college.
"You know" Alex said while handing the plate to Hunter, "He says that I'm the heir to
the business."
Hunter stared at him and watched as Alex continued his ranting.
"The heir! Who says that? He acts like the bakery is sooo important, like the Sinclair
family is a royal bloodline!"
He waved his hands wildly in the air. "Maybe, Dad, I don't want to bake bread all my
life. Maybe, I want to go to college and become a math teacher! Maybe, I want to pursue a career
in boxing and make millions! But, I'll never know because my dad doesn't listen to anything I
say and is a cold hearted bastard!"
By then everyone in the bakery was looking at Alex. His face had turn red and he was
taking in short, shallow breaths.
"I'm sorry." He whimpered, but Hunter wasn't sure if it was directed at him.
He stayed silent.
A lady came out from a back room behind the counter. Her hair was in a small afro and
her skin was a lovely dark brown, she wore the traditional drab, white uniform of a baker but she
made it look exceptional. When she saw the tears in Alex's eyes, she scurried over to him and gave him a hug. Hunter watched her bosom press up against Alex's small chest as they
embraced. Hunter knew it was not the time to be selfish but he couldn't hold back his feeling of
jealousy.
She pulled back and looked Alex straight in the eyes. Finally she nodded and said, "Take
a break." When Alex hesitated she said, "It's okay, I'll handle the rest for today. Why don't you
go out with your friend today." She nodded towards Hunter.
"Thanks, Joy." Alex squeaked.
"Yes," Hunter thought. "Thank you very much."
