Once Upon a Time: True Stories of an Aspiring Writer

Childhood Writings: Twelve Days till Dating

This is a snapshot of Chapter 1 of my novella Twelve Days till Dating (not so much a childhood story, but still). It was a combination of experience and wishful thinking from my own work experiences. Check out the novella on Wattpad if you're interested in hearing more.

Was it possible to find a cookie tin in the fridge in less than a minute?
That's what Lauren Cohen was asking herself as she was busy looking for the order of Grinchmas cookies that the older gentleman had come to pick up in the back refrigerator. Grinchmas cookies, one of the Party Hearty bakery's holiday specialties, were small but decadent creations where vanilla and green dough intermixed to create a swirl pattern. Meanwhile, sprinkles adorned the edges like sugar on a martini glass for the perfect mix of softness and crunch. If you were lucky, you might bite into a grey speckle in the middle of the dough. Only one batch a day held a cookie with this Grinch-like gray shape. Should you bite into it, you could bring a photo of it or bring the cookie to the bakery for a free treat.

Finally, finally, Lauren found the personalized tin that read "Joe Claus" (was that his real name or was he a mall Santa?) on the tag and dug it out. Careful not to let the tin scrape against her fresh mistletoe-colored manicure, she picked it up and returned to the front of the store. He's make a good story, Joe. She'd put him in her mental character file.

"Here you are. Fresh from the oven," Lauren said with her best customer-service grin. Old people were always late in picking up their cookie orders, but a little time in the microwave and they'd be as luscious as ever.

"Well, now, isn't that lovely!" said the man who must be Joe, in his raspy old voice. "My granddaughter is going to love these. I certainly hope they taste better than the Grinch, though."

Lauren smiled. Smile and nod. That was the first rule of working with chatty old customers (who may or may not tell bad jokes), as she'd learned ever since starting at Party Hearty four months ago. One of New England's most unique bakeries, it sold desserts from truffles to cookies and even doughnut holes. You could even order special dessert tins, which was their specialty.

"No, they're great. I'm not just saying that because I work here, either. Absolute heaven." She beamed and noticed the owner, Chris, in the back of her eye. Time to get the sales pitch going. "Would you like to get anything else while you're here? Surprise your granddaughter with a chocolate Santa, maybe?" She pointed to a mini Russell Stover Santa on the back table.

"I don't think we should be eating any more sweets. It's only November and we're stocking up on Christmas cookies! The wife worries that we won't have enough Got to leave some for thehigh school bake sale, you know!" The bakery sponsored the school's band fundraiserevery year. He paused and frowned at her. You know, perhaps my granddaughter knows you. Does Deidre Burbank ring a bell?"

Lauren frowned. "No..."

"No? Well, maybe you don't go to the same school. I just assumed that you did because the bakery is so close. You go to Creekside High?"

Grr. Here it comes. Lauren took a deep breath and waited for the inevitable. Really, she shouldn't be surprised anymore. She'd gotten this type of thing many times in her life. Pushing her shoulder length hair back, she took a breath.

"No, sir. I graduated from Brookport two years ago. Creekside High is ancient history." She smiled as best as she could.

Joe brightened. "Really!"

Lauren exhaled. Maybe the dreaded comment wouldn't even come.

"Such a pretty campus...my daughter got her master's in education there and it was wonderful to walk around. Forgive my question. You don't look like you're in college."