I stopped speaking. Miss Baxter had moved her finger from my chin and laid it across my lips.
“Julie, my dear, you can show me your appreciation by nailing that audition tomorrow and securing yourself the position. If you can rise to that…” Miss Baxter paused. “Well, I would be inclined to reward you with a week of extra desserts, or whatever else you might desire.”
I began to think about what else I might desire. And as wonderful as tonight’s chocolate lava cakes were, I couldn’t quite think of that as the only reward available to me. “Yes, Miss Baxter, I’ll do my best and make you proud.”
“That is all I can ask.” Miss Baxter actually smiled—not the slight turning up of the corners of her mouth, but a full-on beaming smile. She looked absolutely radiant, and I decided right then that I
