The Ember in the Storm

Chapter 7: Baking Birthday

Chapter 7

"Wakey, wakey, eggs and bakey". I jolted awake. Did I just hear someone speak? I looked at my phone and my alarm was about to go off. So I decided to get up and shower before heading downstairs.

As I walk in the kitchen, I see both my parents waiting and I ask "Hey, did either one of you guys walk by my room this morning or say wakey, wakey, eggs and bakey?" They look back and forth at each other before shaking their heads no. "Hmm that's weird, I must have dreamed it. I'll just have a protein shake this morning. I'm headed to the gym. Love you guys." "Love you too, sweet pea. Happy birthday. We will see you when you get home from work for a little bit. Have a great day."

As I walk to the gym, I feel like I could take on the world today. It's too bad I only get to do the treadmill. Since I need to get to work by 7, I walk into the gym and throw my empty protein shake bottle away, sit my change of clothes down before heading over to the treadmill. I turned my music on, set the treadmill for 45 minutes since that would have me done by 6:30, just enough time to shower and walk to the coffee shop. I set it to the highest incline before stepping on, and I will get at least a decent workout since it's only the treadmill today.

The 45 minutes pass by quickly and I'm just starting to break a sweat. I step off the treadmill and head to where I set my clothes down when a voice in my head takes me by surprise. "Someone is trying to sneak up on us, prepare yourself." I swing around and kick my foot out to take them down before realizing it is Masie. "Whoops sorry man, why do you always have to sneak up on me?"

I reached down to help him to get up. As he stands up he rubs his back side "Damn Autumn, what the hell? How did you know I was coming up behind you?" I laugh and almost jokingly say "A little voice in my head told me." He just shakes his head at me. "You ready to hit the ring?" "I can't today, the bosses want me in early today since they are letting me leave by 5 for my birthday, sorry." Masie looks down and frowns "Oh, okay, then. Happy birthday, I'll see you later, have a good time." I nodded my head "I better get in the shower and get my butt to work. See you later."

As I walked into the locker room and jumped into the shower, I couldn't help but think how weird Masie was acting, but I pushed it to the back of my mind. And what the hell was that voice? Normally, if it's your little voice in your head it sounds like you and it doesn't say us, since we're one person.....oh well, I shake my head as I get out of the shower and better get dressed.

I hurried up and dried off, pulled on my tights, purple skirt and white cold shoulder top and combat boots before pulling half my hair up into a top knot and hurrying to line my eyes in my signature bronze eyeliner and gold eyeshadow. I head out of the gym and start my trek to work. I still feel like something is watching me.

As I walk into work, I see Bobby and Wendy standing by the counter talking and going over the to-do list for the day. "Good morning guys, where do you want me today?" They both turn around hiding something behind their backs. "Good morning Autumn Happy Birthday!" They both shout. Bobby looks at Wendy as she pulls a cupcake with a candle from behind her back. "Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Autumn, happy birthday to you. We hope your day is as special as you are. Make a wish!" I take the cupcake and blow out the candle, and wish that something exciting could happen in my life. Bobby takes the candle and throws it away. "How about you help me out in the kitchen today? Everyone loves the days that you cook, then after you're done you can man the register the rest of the day." I smiled at Bobby and nodded my head. "Okay, I can do that. Thank you guys for the cupcake, you are the best bosses anyone could ask for."

I start walking into the kitchen piling my hair up into a bun before throwing a hairnet on, washing my hands and putting on gloves and an apron. What am I going to make today???? Mmmm how about pumpkin cheesecake, Dr Pepper brownies and Reese's peanut butter pudding cookies? That sounds like plenty of things. It should only take me about 3 hours to do it all since Bobby will have to use the other oven.

I hum and sing to myself as I bake. Hopefully, I have made enough of everything since the days I bake the items disappear quickly. I love baking and cooking. It's one of the few other things I feel like I'm really good at. I made 3 pumpkin cheesecakes, 3 batches of Dr Pepper brownies and 4 dozen peanut butter pudding cookies. I set everything up on the display before taking my gloves off, washing my hands and replacing my apron with a new one.

I headed up to the front to take over the register for Wendy and noticed they put a sign on the window that I had made some of the bakery items today. The customers started piling in. Saturday is always one of the busiest days because all the younger kids that don't get to come in on the weekdays during school pile in and also we have a ton more customers when they find out that I've baked that day.

The day speeds by, with no time to draw or write poetry or read. It's getting close to the time for me to leave when a gaggle of middle schoolers come in together. I count at least 8 of them all trying to talk to one another and decide what they want. Laughing about ruining their dinner before they go home. A few more customers came in behind them. I hear the bell above the door jingle again, signifying another customer is entering. When I smell the most delicious scent, of course, I know that I work in a place that constantly smells good, but this smell is completely different. Masculine and dangerous hints of cinnamon, dark chocolate, clove and strawberries, the smell is overpowering in a good way and so mouthwatering. The voice in my head sounds like it's drooling everywhere.

I try to see where the smell is coming from but there are too many people. I finally got all of the middle schoolers to order and sent them on their way. The line is slowly starting to trickle down and I hear that voice in my head, panting, drooling and the faint words mate....mate what checkmate? I don't understand what's been happening in my head lately, but it's freaking me out.

The final customer walks up and the smell envelopes me. It's the handsome stranger that's been in for the last few nights the one who said his name was Tobias. "Hiiii, hi" I stammered, almost drooling on myself. "Sorry, what can I get for you tonight? The regular?" He smiles and shakes his head no " I think I'll have what you made, maybe a piece of the pumpkin cheesecake if you still have any and a hot chocolate, please. Thanks doll face." "That will be $7.00 even." He took out a $20 bill "Keep the change, doll face."

He started to turn around before facing me again. "What are your plans tonight?" I smiled and apologized "Sorry it's my 18th birthday and my friends are taking me out for dinner and whatever else they have planned." He leans forward and tucks a curl behind my ear. I felt a spark like I had been electrocuted when he touched me and I jumped. He just smiles "It's your 18th birthday, huh? Well, happy birthday. Maybe I will run into you tonight. Exciting things happen on birthdays, huh little mate?" I quirk my head toward him....little mate, mate, that is what the voice in my head has been repeating nonstop since I smelled him walking in....."Sure exciting things, I'm sorry but my shift is over I need to get home and get ready, have a good evening." I smile and wave as he turns around to head out the door.

I tell Wendy and Bobby goodbye before heading home to get ready, exciting things. Huh, well, we will surely see what the girls have planned. And how exciting the night will turn out.