Learn To Love Me

Chapter 1- The Day It Started

Canary Hudson smiled as she stepped into her first day on the job. The smell of pastries wafted through the small establishment and filled her with happiness. She'd always wanted to be a baker as the kitchen was where she felt most comfortable. Unfortunately, she had been assigned to the register.

"Ah, Ms. Hudson." Mr. Browning greeted.

The Sweet Maple Pastry Shop was a new business that had been his dream to open up, or so he had told her during her interview. His wife was the one who did the baking in the back, but he was the business' owner.

"Good morning Mr. Browning!" Canary responded cheerfully.

"Now that's the right attitude for the job." he said with a smile. "Let me show you the ropes around here."

He led her behind the counter and explained how the register worked and where the pastry bags and coffee cups were.

"Now, I hope you'll never need to know this, but I'm required to tell you. If you ever encounter a robbery, you are to give up the register as your life is more valuable than any paper bill."

She gulped at the thought.

"But now that you know the basics, I'll let you be the one to flip the sign this morning." he said, motioning to the door.

Canary happily walked over to the glass door, turning the sign around to say 'open' to anyone walking in.

"Since it's your first day, I'll be here to help you, but once you settle in I'll just stop in occasionally. I have a feeling you'll be great at this." Mr. Browning assured.

"Thank you sir!" she mused, stepping behind the register.

The morning passed smoothly and Canary felt confident in her performance. Of course, she had fumbled over her words a bit and dropped a brownie, but she had recovered easily. Mid-afternoon though, a man walked through the door who would change her life forever.

"Good afternoon!" she greeted.

"Ah, hello." he responded with a soft smile. "I haven't seen you here before."

"Well you see, today's my first day on the job!" she chirped.

"Must be exciting." he replied.

"What can I get you?" she inquired.

"Hm... can I get a medium coffee and a slice of apple pie?" he requested.

"Of course! And the name is...?"

"Ryan." he answered. "Ryan West."

"Well Mr. Ryan, that'll be $9.50." she told him.

He fished through his wallet before handing her a ten dollar bill.

Canary popped the register and placed in the ten, pulling out two quarters for his change.

"I'll be right out with your pie, Mrs. Browning just put a fresh one to cool." she said with a smile, walking to the kitchen in the back.

"Hello dearie." the baker greeted her.

"Hello! Is the apple pie cooled down enough?" she asked.

"Why yes, I believe so." the woman responded.

She thanked her quickly and took the pie out to the counter.

"Here you go!" she said, handing him a small box and his coffee.

"Why thank you Ms. Canary." he responded.

She kept forgetting the name tag pinned to her shirt. This was gonna take some adjusting.