Gail sniffed and Lena could hear the tears in her voice. “Yeah, we can.” She hung up the phone, threw it on the bed, and pulled on her jeans.
Lena walked out the kitchen where her father was waiting with fresh coffee for her. She dropped down into the chair and placed the phone on the table, wrapping her hands around the mug while breathing in the welcome fumes.
“So what’s happening in Gina’s world that caused such a panic this early on a Sunday morning?” He pulled out the chair opposite her and sat down with a fresh coffee for himself.
Poor Papa, he’s used to our dramas. “Not sure. She asked me to come over and help her with something. I have to go, Papa. Keep an eye on Kyle for me please, he’s still sleeping. I promise not to be too long.” She drank another sip of coffee and stood up, reaching for her car keys.
“Drive careful.”
She waved as she walked out the door. Gail still lived just in town, not far from the school and her café. Lena pulled into the driveway behind her husband’s work truck and got out, hunger pangs settling in her stomach.
The front door flew open before she could get up the pathway to the steps and Gail came out, her face streaked with tears. She wrapped her arms around Lena and wailed in her ear. The crying routine hadn’t changed over the years. If anyone was going to cry over anything, it would always be Gail.
“Let’s go inside and you can tell me what’s wrong, okay?” And maybe I’ll unload on you as well. Her friend nodded and wiped her hand across her eyes before leading the way inside. They walked into the kitchen and Lena took a seat at the table. “Right, spill the beans.”
“My cake lady quit. Just like that with no notice she sent me a text this morning to say she’s leaving town.” Gail’s voice wobbled with emotion and Lena closed her eyes. No, please not that, not yet. “I have nothing for the week ahead and I can’t supply my customers with cakes from the supermarket. Lena, you have to help me out, please. You know how I suck a cakes.”
Your cake lady. You woke me up for that? “I don’t know if I can, Gail. You see, things have gone to shit with me and I just don’t know if I can face it right now.” Anything but right now.
“Please help me out, even just until I can find someone else. You know my café has a good reputation, Lena. If I give them inferior food I’ll never live it down. You have to save my butt here. I’d do the same for you, you know I would.”
The tears welled again in Gail’s eyes. She wasn’t a pretty crier by any means. “Don’t cry, please, Gail. I’ll help you, just don’t cry.” “Thank you, thank you. Oh hon, you don’t know how much this means to me.” Gail sniffed and Lena heard the relief in her voice. “Let me make you a coffee and we can talk about it, okay?”
“Sure, why not.”
Over the next hour they made a list and of recipes to whittle down to a couple of basics that would keep Gina going until she could find someone else to bake for her. “How about this? I remember what you used to like when we were kids and I was thinking some traditional ricotta cannoli. I can make the ricotta filling and leave it separate in a container so you can fill them when you need them. That way I can do a big batch that will last you a week. What do you think?”
“Oh, yes please. I love those little pastries. I can see me eating as many as I sell.” She laughed. “I can’t thank you enough for saving my skin, gorgeous girl. I really appreciate it. Now what else can you do for me? How about those little orange and honey donut things your mother used to make us?” They had been an afterschool treat that Gina loved.
My favorites too. “Zeppole, sure. They’re easy and quick. I don’t think they’ll store well though, I’d have to make them fresh in the mornings if you want those.” But for you I can do that.
“Perfect. Oh, I’m so glad you came home. It’s been too long since we’ve caught up and we have some serious gossiping to do.”
My fault too. Always so busy at the restaurant I neglected you terribly. “Gail, I’m sorry I never got in touch more. I promise to make up for it now I’m back in town.” I will. A good session with her best friend should set her straight, it always had in the past. Where Lena was doubtful of her abilities, Gail was always quick to set her mind at ease. Never one to cower from a challenge, Gail had taken over the café when it came up for sale several years ago and made it into the success it was today, managing it around her husband and kids with a couple of reliable staff that gave her the time to step away when she needed to.
“Don’t sweat the small stuff, kid. You know I’m here whenever you need me just like you’re always there for me like now. What time will you be in tomorrow to book Kyle into school? Mitch is hanging to catch up with him too.”
He’ll love that. “About 8:30 I think. I can call into you after that and drop off your sweets.” And try and make up for the last few years when I didn’t catch up with you.
“Your dad calls in for coffee on his way to work every morning. Maybe you can
