Tartosan Sun: Journeys

Chapter Three:

The morning air was laced with the scents of magnolia, honeysuckle, sweet pastry, and Philosophy Amazing Grace. “Open up! C'mon Danielle I know it’s you in there!” Liberty said as she knocked, almost pounded, on the bathroom door. “We had an agreement. You weren’t going to do your makeup in the bathroom.”

Danielle double checked her look, then responded. “I know, but the lighting in here is better in the mornings!” She hollered back. “Besides, I’m almost done.”

“What? Seriously?” Liberty’s frustration was growing. “You’ve got an interview for an unpaid internship! Give ‘em what they paid for!” Liberty said slightly more sarcastically than she had intended. “I have a job that I need to get ready for. You know, one of those things where you show up, do stuff, and they give you actual money!” 

“Sorry!” Danielle dialed up her sarcasm to match. “And for your information it’s not an unpaid internship. That was last week. This one is a bookstore, café…bakery kind of place on the Promenade.”

“Sorry...” Liberty said, her gaze fixed on the floorboards between her feet as she drew in a deep breath, paused, then let it out through slightly unclenched teeth, “Look, I really need to get a shower. I have a big department meeting this morning. Bella is going to freak if I’m late. I still need to shower and eat before I go.”

As absorbed as she had been in her cooking, Summer was fully aware of the commotion brewing at the bathroom door. It was in Summer’s nature to be the peacemaker. It was a trait she inherited from her parents, her mom in particular. Those little squares of fried pastry, sugar, and a cup of coffee were the essential building blocks of life in Willow Creek. They would make a lovely, delicious olive branch.

Their aroma drifted tantalizing down the hallway, helping to defuse the situation before it got out of hand. It really paid to have a world class cook under your roof. Even if it meant endless exercise and the odd diet to still fit into your clothes. 

Danielle grasped the doorknob and stepped back as she swung the door open. There was a brief flash as Liberty sprang through the door. It wasn’t the first time they’d done this dance. “I won’t be long Summer!” Liberty hollered down the hall. “Give me ten minutes, then put my beignets in the fryer please!” 

"Ow! That's my ear" Danielle said before theatrically blinking and giving her head a shake.

Most mornings the ladies gathered in the nook for breakfast. Their lives and schedules were different now. They’d learned during their first year at Foxbury to make time and space for some ‘me’ time. Their friendship had endured a couple rocky moments during that year. The lessons they learned from it made their bond stronger.

“Oh God, look at me! I look like a tourist!” Danielle said as she tried brush the powdered sugar from her lap. The locals often joked you could spot a tourist who’d been to Du Monde’s. They’d be covered in powdered sugar afterwards. “I’ve got an interview!”

Summer couldn’t suppress her laughter. “Yeah. Rookie mistake. Where you interviewing today?”

“Broussard’s.” Danielle stopped for a bite, then licked the sugar off her lips. “That little bookshop & café on the Promenade.”

 “That sugar was telling you something” Liberty said. “Hun, you’re a bit overdressed. No offense. The blouse works. But the dress pants and heels are a bit much. That really nice pair of dark jeans you have and some flats would be perfect. You're not interviewing for an office job."

“Yeah, you’re probably right.”

“Lib’s right. You…try a little too hard to look polished sometimes.” Summer added. “I want you to get this job. A place like Broussard’s is perfect for you. You love books. I know this isn’t a career or anything, but it’s so you. Just dress it down a little. And if they need someone in their little bakery I can vouch for your skills.”

“Thanks you two. What would I do without you?” Danielle said, smiling.

“You’d walk out the door looking like a Glamour magazine photoshoot.” Liberty couldn't keep a straight face.

 Liberty's wisecrack gave Danielle a much needed chuckle. She relaxed a little. “Thanks for your honesty." She paused a moment. "Maybe some of the mojo in those books will rub off.” Danielle finished her coffee. She had time to think about what to wear instead. "I'm tired of bouncing  job to job. If I can turn my luck around with this hopefully my luck will change with my books too."

“Good luck D.” Dee had been the girl’s nickname for Danielle growing up. “I really hope you get this one.” Liberty gave her hand a supportive squeeze. She grabbed an extra beignet, wrapped it up, and headed for the door.

 Luckily the Agency’s office in the nearby suburb of Newcrest was in the opposite direction of rush hour traffic. She would at least make the meeting in plenty of time. She wasn't sure what the meeting was about but if Bella was going to be there it must be important.

Graduation day from Foxbury Institute had been over a year ago. Liberty had gone straight into working for The Agency. Her degree, with honors, in computer science had drawn the attention of the agency. Bella Goth’s recruitment pitch had been enough to convince her to join. It didn’t hurt that they would help her complete her psychology major as well. She could have made more money with her double majors outside of The Agency. Something told her she’d be far richer if she followed this opportunity that the Agency was giving her. There was something out there waiting for her. 

Summer had bounced around a bit in the kitchens of Willow Creek. Chef’s, especially young ones tended to be nomadic. Summer’s journey was slowly building her culinary credentials.

She was a long way from the top, but she was getting noticed. Some people beyond the city, critics and fellow chefs, looked down their noses at Willow Creek. But there were chefs, respected global icons in the culinary world, who called Willow Creek home. With hard work and perseverance her name would get around town. Working at Lafitte's on the River was a great place to start.

Danielle’s dream had never changed. She was going to be a novelist. Not exactly a profession you found in the want ads. For her, life after getting her Literature degree was bouncing from gig to gig. Freelancing, odd jobs, whatever paid the bills while she wrote and shopped her work around. What her employment history lacked in stability, her belief in her dream more than made up for. The morning sun was already warming the Promenade's cobblestones.

 The little brick storefront had an inviting look and feel. She was getting really good vibes about this.