The Deal

The evening sky was a breathtaking sight to behold, filled with a mesmerizing blend of vibrant shades of orange, pink, and purple, as the sun gradually set and its light reflected off the atmosphere. The air was alive with the sweet melody of the beaked chorus of birds, filling the surroundings with their joyful songs. The street was a bustling hive of activities, with people of all ages hurrying to and fro, each person with a destination in mind. The sounds of traffic, conversations, and music filled the air, creating a symphony of sounds that was both chaotic and beautiful. The smell of exhaust fumes mingled with the tantalizing aroma of food from the various restaurants and street vendors, creating a heady mix that was hard to resist. The day was coming to an end and the night was slowly roaring to life. As I stepped into the bakery, I was greeted by the delightful aroma of freshly-made pastries that filled the air, parading my nostrils with their inviting scent. The sounds of conversations between servers and customers added to the lively ambiance of the bakery, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. I strolled confidently towards a lady clothed in a waiter’s uniform, at the counter. As I approached, she greeted the lady with a half-smile on her face, calling out, "Hey! Beth." Looking up from her phone, the lady responded to her greeting, immediately yanking me into a warm embrace. "Oh! Hey Carrie Banana, how was your day?" she asked, gazing at her friend with a look of genuine concern. Smiling at the nickname that Bethany had given me a couple of years ago, I replied, "Well, it wasn't as good as yours for sure," withdrawing from the hug. "Was it that bad? Would you like a doughnut?" Beth asked, reaching out to grab her a donut. "I would love to have a doughnut!" I exclaimed, my smile widening at the thought of the delicious pastry. Beth had been my best friend for as long as I could remember, and it was heartwarming to see how much she cared about me . As Beth and I got into a conversation, I suddenly heard a familiar voice call out my name, compelling me to turn abruptly. A woman rushed towards me, showering her with hugs and kisses, asking, "Oh my baby! How was your day? Did you get the job?" My mother's hands were clasped in mine, her eyes filled with a look of deep concern and worry. It broke my heart to see my mother this way, to let her hear the same reply continually after each interview for the past few weeks. "No, I didn't get it. I-" I looked away, evading my mother's gaze. Pulling me into a warm embrace, my mother said, "Oh, it's alright my baby girl. There are thousands of employers who will be lucky to have someone like you. They aren't aware they just lost a gem." I felt a sting in her chest, feeling like I had failed myself and my mother. I couldn't provide for my mom, and I couldn't do anything for her. It broke my heart to see my mother’s face full of so much stress and worry, yet here she was, being the greatest mom ever. "I don't know what I would've done without you, Mom," I said, trying not to break down into tears. Suddenly remembering, pulled away, looking straight into my mother's eyes with concern, while my mother stared back with eyes full of so much stress and pity. "How is he? What did the doctor say?" My mom’s face instantly turned pale. Ever since the accident, Mom hadn't been the same person and was a shadow of her past self. "Umm... the doctors, I mean, the doctor said we have to pay up by the end of the month, or else they'll stop administering treatment," she said, the last part in a whisper. Just then, a customer rang his bell, demanding a server. Mom quickly cleaned her eyes, looked at me with a small smile, and said, "I'll take it, go freshen up." She kissed my left cheek and hurriedly left Beth and her alone. Beth turned to me with pitiful eyes, holding my hands and letting out, "It's going to be okay someday." Then she slid a plate with my doughnut in it right in front of her, with a smile on her face, "...but for now, have something so you don't die on me." I let out a small laugh and replied, "Thanks, Beth. I'm so glad to have you”. I was grateful to have Beth in her life. As a customer dinged her bell, demanding her attention, Beth rushed over to table eight to attend to the customer. I looked around, observing the place I had grown up. The lavender-striped peach-colored walls and the paintings on each one brought a homely feeling. The counter, located at the forefront of the shop, brought back memories of what always served as her hiding spot when Dad and I would play hide-and-seek. This room was a compendium of memories. Looking around, I suddenly felt a wave of nostalgia wash over me, bringing a smile to my face. I went towards the kitchen, which was behind the counter, to change into my server's uniform, ready to serve future customers.