The Bakery
As the day begins, I know its a sunny and beautiful day. Birds singing their songs as I walk in the park and flowers swaying in the slight breeze. I am early for work, but its such a beautiful day, I know it will be a beautiful walk. I see children playing as I pass the fountains, the water they are enjoying.. I hear the street musicians as they are starting to warm up for their day of playing and dancing. I smell the aroma, I smell it each day, but I never stop.. The local new bakery. I decide today is the day to give it a try and as I enter, the fresh breads and baked goods, take me into a memory of when I was young. I walk slowly up to the counter, it seems I am very early, noone is here. I take view of all the fresh pastries and breads, some stuffed, some covered Beautiful is the way they have them displayed.. I see noone working, but I know someone is here.. I look around, none come in, now I am unsure of my choice, But I'm so early, its good to try new things., I hear pans moving around and then, a swishing sound right as the double doors from the kitchen open.. Out comes this man, maybe native in nature. I'm not sure, but in his hands, he holds fresh stuffed pans of breads.. He tells, me I am just in time for the first slice of his newest creation.. I think, sure, I will try.. he asks to me if I like only vegetables or meats as well.. I say both I eat with happiness.. He cuts me a piece from each, fairly big pieces.. I tell him, its too much, I am not sure I can eat such big pieces.. He smiles and puts them on plate and then he makes me a hot tea, I did not ask for it either, but I love tea.... Page 1
The Bakery So, he says have a seat and I will bring them to you... He brings them and he sets fork, knife, and spoon on napkin at side of the plate he sits before me... I look up and then he sets the tea before me, a slight smell of mint.. He also sets at the teas side, fresh lemon slices and fresh cane sugar.. I am shocked how he knows what I use, but he did and this makes me smile... The man, smiles and he walks away, dissapears back into the back, not asking for pay or anything.. I look around and see I am the only one here, and I have been here near 10 minutes already.. I decide, I will take this chance and try what he prepared for me, not knowing price or what I was about to eat, but willing to try... I slowly take the knife in hand and fork in other and start cutting slowly into the stuffed breads he brought me, or stuffed pies might be better name. I cut small bite to try, knowing this is strange for him to just assume I would eat whatever he brings me.. So, I decide, its time,,, I slowly add the cane sugar and lemon to the tea with a smell of mint already infused there.. I sample, perfect, best tea I have had in such a long time.... The man returns with new breads stacked high on a basket in front of him and places it on counter.. he smiles and dissapears again.. Then back he comes again, so fast this time, with a small bowl filled with a sauce, or cream of some type.. He gives it to me, at left side of plate, and says, after I take bite of vegetable pie, to try small taste on edge of pie.. I said, I would and then he smiled and walked to windows, beautiful windows, he opens them, beautiful mosaics in stained glass.. He looks at me and says today is my day, enjoy it fully... And as he opens the windows, the fresh aromas of the bakery enter the streets and the sound of birds enters the bakery.. Page 2
The Bakery I see people as they begin to catch the aroma, start in our direction, but where my seat was, its like I was a king just observing everyone.... I tried the first bite............................. No words can describe my feelings at this moment, I then tried a bite with the sauce.. ohhhh my!!!! At this point he returned again and tells me, now, the new bowl he brings me only use on second bite of pie with meat.... After my first bite, I am filled with trust in his choices,,, He stops and say, this is my day, enjoy it fully, I did not understand these words, but he has said them twice, so I think its his phrase to tell people. I sit there eating and as I do, I see the time, I not have more that 30 minutes left before work starts, so I ask for the check.. he smiles and again tells me its my day, to enjoy it fully, not worry about time more.. No charge.... I say, but the tea, the pies, I have to pay and can I take them with me...... He says no charge and he says enjoy it fully again.. I start the second pie, I take small bite...... no words to decribe... then with sauce... I'm in heaven on earth now I am eating and as I eat, time seems to stop, people slow down, the food tastes so delicious, I am happy in my decision to come inside this morning... The man comes out... he hands me a peice of black paper and a white wax pencil... He asks me to write a name I would call the vegetable pie.. I write, "First happiness of the Day" Then he asks me to do the same for the meat pie... I smile and remember my thoughts.. "Heaven on Earth" He then takes the pieces of paper and says, "thank you" to me.... I said no thank you... He smiles big and say.. its my day, enjoy it fully.... Then both peieces of paper he places on little holders in front of the pies........ I do not know what to say...... I smile.. a tear in eye, that he did this... He then brings me fresh tea and tells me... enjoy the view from Page 3
The Bakery the window, its the best in the place... I look out and as I finish my first pie....... I see children playing at the fountain again Then........... She comes into view, walking around the fountain... straight toward my eyes.... Beautiful she is... Like I am seeing an Angel from heaven walking toward me.. the light dancing around her and her hair flowing and moving so beautifully in the breeze. Then the musicains I hear very low at first and then louder till they sound as if they are only yards away from me. I am still eating and looking at her, then her eyes lock to my eyes..... I hear the drums louder and louder.. And in the back of me I hear the words again, "its your day, enjoy it fully" I look to my watch, but its time is not passing more.... I am enjoying the food, the view, the drums, all..... Then, as she gets closer, she enters, takes seat in front of me...... I could not speak, only smile.... She looks to the man, "father, I want Heaven on Earth" He comes with tea, same as mine, and same pie I am eating... She smiles to me, she says, "this is her first happiness of the day" Then.... I hear the drums louder and louder, as if in my ears and then chest they are growing in power. I smile and say, yes, this was my first happiness of the day as well and I was enjoying the pie she ordered as well.. She smiles.... her eyes, beautiful and deep, her hair flowing, her skin radiant, her voice soothing and relaxing, then the drums stopped...... I am not sure why, but I hear nothing. Everything takes on a new light. As if the sun shines only before me. Then I know..... My heart stopped, I know I fully have enjoyed my day now... I understand the mans words... The way he said them and the day are together, as if my heaven had begun early. Page 4
The Bakery Then... I open my eyes as I hear the drums begin again... She is in front of me, my angel!
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