6. Amanda

AMANDA

It took longer than anticipated to get the stands just right, but I was pleased with the results. Millie, as she’d asked me to call her, returned to take a look and declared it a masterpiece. The other cake was delivered, and the lady seemed a bit peeved that she hadn’t been asked to make the cupcakes as well. At least, that’s what I gathered from the way she turned her nose up at me after ascertaining that I was the culprit who had brought them.

I started to gather my stuff to make a hasty exit but was waylaid by Millie. “You’re not leaving already, are you? Why don’t you stick around? I know it’s a kid’s party, but these things are never just that. There’s wine, beer, and coolers; what’s your poison?”

“I, well, I don’t want to intrude on your time with your family.”

“Who’s intruding? Henry said you just moved here a year ago and didn’t have many friends in town. Come on; it’ll be fun. And besides, I have a feeling it’s going to be good for business.”

“What do you mean?”

“Right now, there are about one hundred kids running around out there; my daughter is a popular kid who’s in every and anything the school has to offer. Believe it or not, some of her friends and acquaintances aren’t here because they’re away or had prior appointments. But what’s important for you is that their parents are also here and these parents always do their best to outdo each other when it comes to parties. Do you see where I’m going with this?”

“I think so, yes.”

“Oh, Henry and his family just pulled up. Let’s go say hi.”

I wanted so badly to know how a doorman at an apartment building, luxury though it was, knew these obviously wealthy people, but of course, there was no way I was going to ask.

“Henry is a doll. When Isabell was a newborn, I got stuck on the side of the road in the rain. You can imagine my panic and fear. Then this stranger stopped his car behind mine, knocked on the window, and told me to keep it rolled up while he took a look.”

“He then asked if I’d called my husband and took the phone from my numb fingers to call Carter and tell him the situation. He stood out there in the rain until Carter showed up, and by then, he’d already fixed the problem but wasn’t about to leave me stranded out there alone. He refused to accept payment and let’s just say he’s been a part of our family since then. He’s Isabell’s Godfather and she worships the ground he walks on. Now, she’d have another reason to love him once she gets a taste of your cupcakes. That girl does love her cupcakes.”

She explained all this as if reading my mind, and I sheepishly nodded my head. I knew Henry was a nice guy; I’m glad to see my perception isn’t as skewed on everything else as it had been with my marriage.

For the next hour, I stood in the back garden, which had fewer people, and enjoyed the view. I wish I had a garden like this to escape to; I’d never leave. I heard my name being called and turned to see Millie and another woman my age coming towards me.

“You made these?” Now, I work in finance, so I know money when I see it, and she was dripping in it. Not the over-the-top reality TV star kind of flash; this was old-world money. From the Hermes sandals that you wouldn’t think much of unless you realized that they were alligator skin and cost about eleven grand a pop.

Her jewelry was the kind you’d find at an old estate sale that you needed an invitation to attend, and she smelled like heaven. Her skin didn’t look like she’d ever had a blemish in her life. “Yes, ma’am, I did.” She looked me over from head to toe then passed me a card from her Kelly.

“Call me on Monday.” She turned and walked away, leaving me and a grinning Millie to look at her disappearing back.

“Who is she?” Millie pointed off in the distance in the direction of her husband and a tall, distinguished gentleman who had to be in his fifties.

"You see the man talking to my husband? That’s his boss; she is his wife. Mrs. Evelyn Garston.”

“Why does that name sound familiar?”

“Maybe because his family practically developed the whole state.”

“Oh yes, of course. But why did she give me her card?”

“Evelyn is the quintessential hostess in our circle. She likes parties. Every time you sneeze, she’s planning another one. Let’s just say if she likes your stuff, you won’t need another client in this lifetime, and I already know she likes it, so congratulations.”

“I think I’m a bit lost.”

“Let’s put it this way: you see this crowd? This isn’t even a fraction of what her parties look like. It’s usually five hundred minimum. Then there’re the charities and galas; I almost pity you if you choose to work with her; you’d be kept on your toes. Remember, don’t undersell yourself. If we paid six dollars per cupcake, she has to pay eight or more.”

“Why is that?”

“That’s the rules, dear. No one outspends the Garstons. How would it look if she paid the same as us lesser peasants?”

“Are you? I mean, is she…?”

“No, believe it or not, she’s one of the nicest people you’d ever meet. Both her and her husband. They’ve been married since she was twenty-three, and he was in his late forties. Love at first sight, and he was a man who swore he would never get married. He spoils her rotten, and she adores him.”

I was a bit overwhelmed by all this. I guess I’d grown so accustomed to life kicking me in the ass that I second-guess everything these days. But what kind of fairy tale is this?

I hung around for another half an hour, then made my excuses and left, but not before Millie introduced me to a few more women who were interested in my desserts. I didn’t have a card, which made me feel inept for some reason, but I made excuses while reminding myself to look into it as soon as possible.

I spent the rest of the weekend on pins and needles because I’d looked up Evelyn and her husband, and Millie had not exaggerated; the woman seems to throw parties at least twice a week and more during the winter season.

I’m pretty sure she works with professional caterers with a more sophisticated setup than my kitchen. What the hell did I get myself into?

* * *

Monday morning,I woke up an hour early and got to work right away so that I could spare the time for the phone call since I didn’t know how long it was going to last. By the time I called her, I had flop sweat beneath my arms and was more nervous than when I went for my job interview.

“Millie tells me you work out of your home. That won’t do. Meet me at this place at noon; I’ll forward you the address.”

“What place?” She’d jumped right in after exchanging pleasantries, and I was beginning to think I was in way over my head.

“Did Millie tell you anything about me?”

“Not really, no, just that you’re a wonderful person.”

“That’s right, but one of the things about this wonderful person is she does not like to be questioned. See you at noon.” She hung up the phone.

Now I was even more nervous but there was nothing for it unless I planned on not going, which I got the feeling would be the biggest mistake after my wedding day. And I was right.

The place turned out to be an old storefront. I say old because the building had been in existence since before I was born, but it was a beauty. “Come on in.” Inside was wide and spacious, with an even more spacious back room.

“I could’ve found a bakery that was going under or something, but this location is perfect. If you agree, we can have the kitchen outfitted in two weeks.”

“Agree to what exactly?”

“My business proposition. I’m bored, Amanda. All I do all day is shop, and it’s getting on my nerves.”

“Every year, my husband and I take on a large project where we find a deserving cause and sink a boatload of money into it. Consider it our good deed for the year. I did some research on you. I know you have a passion for baking but went the financial route because, well, people need to eat and put a roof over their heads. I also know about your messy divorce; sorry, when I make up my mind to work with someone, I have to go to these lengths.”

“I understand if you’re not interested, there’s no pressure, but I like you. I watched you at the party and well, you remind me of someone that I could be friends with. But more importantly, these baked goods of yours are going to make you a very rich woman. Here’s what I propose.”

“Victor and I will foot the bill to get this place up to code as well as buy all the products you need to get started. We’ll take care of the business end of things. Do you have a lawyer?”

“Uh, no, just the one I used in my divorce.”

“Get one. I’ll have the papers drawn up sometime tomorrow. I’ll give you a week to decide; if you need more time, just let me know.”

“I… I’m sorry; what are we talking about here?”

“We’re talking about opening a bakery slash catering or whatever you choose to do. I imagine you’d want to do online business as well. Like I said, I’ll take care of the business side of things; you just take care of your baking. That’s why you need the lawyer to look over the contracts.”

“What contracts?”

“Like I said, I had you investigated, so I know that if I handed this place over to you free of charge, you wouldn’t accept it. You’re not a charity case, and this is a little different from the norm, but I feel it in my gut. There’s something about you.”

“Now, what I propose is you’ll pay me five hundred per month for the space.”

“Five…. But you can probably get ten times that much for this place.”

“I know, and to think, I would’ve given it to you for free.”

“But why? You don’t know me.”

“Sweetheart, any woman who was willing to stay with her cheating ex after what he did for the sake of a child is someone worth saving.” Well damn, I guess she really had me investigated. No one here knew about my past.

“Not to worry, no one will ever hear your life story from me.” At least that made me breathe easier.