I knew things had been hard for her and everyone in the community. When the small department store in this rural strip mall had closed down, one business after another had also closed. But, as Diana often said, people had to eat. There were enough regular customers, like Murray, to keep the bakery going. Even so, I knew Diana had been trying to sell the business so she could retire. The For Sale sign had been up outside the bakery for over a year. Diana had told me she would make sure the new owner kept me on, however. She would make it clear I helped her run the place.
Diana took my hand in hers. “Listen, Eva, since we’re on the subject —” She hesitated.
“What is it?”
“I’ve been meaning to talk to you, not just about your hours, but about your job.”
“My job?” I felt my stomach knot.
“As you know, I haven’t had any serious offers on the bakery. No one wants to take the place on, not with all these other businesses in the mall shutting down. And I have my knee operation coming up.”
She looked around the small bakery-café. The glass counter was full of baked goods. A row of small tables lined the windows. The place smelled of the cinnamon buns baking in the big oven in the kitchen behind us. “I’ve decided to close the bakery at the end of next month.”
I covered my mouth. “Oh no!” I said.
“The tourists will be gone by then,” she said. “Labor Day weekend is coming up. Summer is already just about over. I can’t keep the place open any longer. I’ll have to stay off this knee for several months after the operation.”
“I understand,” I said. I was sad for Diana — and for our customers.Without this bakery, there would be no place for people in the community to meet. They would have to drive into town just to go out for a cup of coffee. But I was most worried about myself and my daughter. What was I going to do without this job?
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