<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Taliya rocked slowly in her chair on the front porch, sipping a frothy cup of hot chocolate, awestruck by the dazzling panoply of yellow, red, and orange hues that painted the evening sky like masterstrokes from an artist\u2019s brush.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She never tired of these sunsets; they never failed to renew her feelings of hope and resolve, even after years of fruitless waiting. Waiting for a dream that might never come true, no matter how hard she worked and hoped for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fireflies flickered on the lawn as dusk deepened, and colors melded into shades of pink, purple, blue, heralding the end of the day in a long line of disappointing days. The approaching darkness mirrored the sense of morose that invaded her thoughts, and she tried to push it away before it settled for good.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She took another sip of her beverage\u2013now lukewarm\u2013and reflected on that day five years ago when the seeds of hope were first planted in her heart. That day she dared to dream bigger than she ever had before. A most audacious dream of someday owning her very own bakery and sweet shop. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
With years of experience at the local cafe kneading dough, baking bread, and crafting sweet pastries and confectionery delights, she imagined running her own shop. She saved every penny she could from her modest salary, but starting a business cost a lot of money, and she still didn\u2019t have nearly enough. But she stayed positive and kept her dream alive, although it seemed less possible with every passing year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her co-workers sometimes ribbed her about her lofty ambition. \u201cTaliya, you\u2019ll be waiting until the cows come home to roost before you have your own place,\u201d they teased. She supposed the joking was all in good fun, but it stung sometimes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She would smile back at them and say something like, \u201chey weirdos, cows don\u2019t come home to roost, chickens do.\u201d Then she would add, \u201cbut someday, when the cows do come home to roost, that’s when I will have my own bakery. You wait and see.\u201d They would laugh, and she would join in, because it did sound kind of ridiculous even to her own ears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was dark now, the only illumination coming from the porch light, a street lamp across the street, and the light pink glow in the west\u2013the dissipated remnants of the vivacious sunset. Taliya sipped the last hot chocolate from her mug and slapped at a pesky mosquito buzzing near her ear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She rose from her rocking chair, empty cup in hand, and turned to go inside the house when she heard a car driving up the tranquil street. She turned around and saw a black late-model luxury sedan pull up to the curb. A shadowy figure emerged from the driver\u2019s side and walked up the sidewalk towards the porch, but Taliya couldn\u2019t readily make out who was in the dark. As the shape got closer in the dim porch light, it resolved into focus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMary!\u201d Taliya cried, excited to see her college roommate from years ago. \u201cOh my gosh, girlfriend, what are you doing here?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mary reached the porch; they embraced for a good moment. \u201cHow long\u2019s it been, a year, maybe two?\u201d asked Taliya.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been a while, I guess,\u201d Mary said. \u201cI\u2019m sorry. Time flies with my work and being a mom and all that. And it seems to fly faster every year.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSure does,\u201d agreed Taliya. \u201cI\u2019m so glad to see you! Come inside; it\u2019s getting cold. I\u2019ll make you something hot to drink, and we can talk.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI really can\u2019t stay long,\u201d said Mary, \u201cbut tea is fine, thanks.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Taliya led Mary through the living room with its faded carpet and worn furniture to the kitchen and motioned Mary to the small table. While the tea kettle warmed, they caught up on the couple of years of their lives. As they steeped the tea-bags in their cups, Mary brought up why she had dropped by. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have good news for you. Really good news. You\u2019re not going to believe it.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m ready for good news,\u201d said Taliya. \u201cNothing much happens around here but work, sleep, eat, rinse, and repeat.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRemember the last time we went out to lunch?\u201d Mary asked. \u201cAnd you said you wanted to open a bakery someday, but it would take you years before you had saved enough, if ever? And I told you I wished I could help you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI remember,\u201d answered Taliya. \u201cI\u2019m still waiting and still saving.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cConsider your wait over,\u201d said Mary. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d Taliya stammered<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou won\u2019t believe this, but I had a rich uncle who died recently. Seriously, a rich uncle. I met him only a couple of times when I was a little girl, and barely remember him. But he apparently remembered me, and willed me a chunk of money. Enough to live comfortably for the rest of my life, and then some. You just can\u2019t make this stuff up,\u201d she laughed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo here\u2019s the good news: I want to give you an interest-free loan for half of the bakery you are going to open.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHalf?\u201d said Taliya. \u201cInterest-free loan? I don\u2019t understand.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe other half will be my share as your silent partner. You will run the business, bake the goods, hire and manage the employees, everything. I will stay behind the scenes as an investor, and you can buy me out once you get profitable. If you want to, although I would love to stay your business partner as long as you want me around.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo think about it and let me know in the next few weeks. There\u2019s no rush.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unable to contain her excitement, Taliya shouted, \u201cDeal! Nothing to think about. But why would you do this for me?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, we were college roommates and best friends,\u201d said Mary. \u201cAnd now we\u2019re going to be business partners\u2013and bakery owners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOkay, but\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut\u2026\u201d interrupted Mary, \u201cmore than that, I\u2019m doing this to repay what you did for me when we were roomies. Do you remember?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m not sure,\u201d Taliya answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe day I broke up with Teddy. It was such a dark day, and I was so depressed. I didn\u2019t want to live after that. I wanted to end it all. I had the razor blade and was about to use it.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Taliya gasped. \u201cYes, I remember! You scared me nearly to death!\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mary nodded solemnly. \u201cYou walked through the door, pried the razor blade from my hand, and talked me down from the edge. You said that no boy was worth dying for, especially a boy stupid enough to dump me. You said you believed in me, and I had a great future ahead of me. You said I would someday find a guy who would love me and accept me for who I am.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen one day I did. Everything you said came true. I married the love of my life. I have two terrific children, a great career, and everything that comes with it. And now, lots of money, thanks to my uncle.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mary paused, her voice choked with emotion. She cleared her throat and continued, \u201cI never told you how much you meant to me for being there at the right time to save my life. But I never forgot either. You are like the sister I never had. Better than a sister, I think. I love you, and\u200c I owe my life to you. I can never repay you, but I can make a down-payment by investing in you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Taliya swiped at the moisture leaking from her eyes. \u201cThank you \u200csister, I love you, too. Thanks for believing in me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The women shared a moment of silence as they contemplated their words. Taliya broke the silence: \u201cI think \u2018Taliya\u2019s Tasty Treats\u2019 is a good name. What do you think?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOoh, that\u2019s good\u2026tastefully good,\u201d Mary chuckled. \u201cWho knows, maybe we\u2019ll open a whole chain of Taliya\u2019s Tasty Treats around the country. Maybe even worldwide.\u201d She gave Taliya a wink. \u201cYou won\u2019t believe how big a chunk of money my uncle left me.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mary rose from the table. \u201cI\u2019m sorry I have to go. Hubby is watching the kids, and I promised to be home in time for him to go out bowling with his buddies tonight. You know, I still don\u2019t get the appeal of bowling,\u201d she snickered. \u201cI think baking bread and sweet treats would be a lot more fun\u2026and tasty.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI agree,\u201d said Taliya. \u201cMuch more fun.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ll call you tomorrow to go over the arrangements and start the paperwork and all that. Mary gazed at Taliya with steadfast eyes. I\u2019m going to tell you what you told me once: I believe in you. I believe in us. And we are going to be great together!\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI can\u2019t thank you enough,\u201d said Taliya. \u201cI am so excited. This is one of the best days of my life.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
They hugged and reluctantly parted, with promises to talk tomorrow. Moments later, Mary\u2019s car pulled away from the house and drove off into the night. Taliya felt a warm glow in her heart that reminded her of the radiant sunset from earlier that evening. But unlike the sunset, this glow felt more like a sunrise; a sunrise of hopes fulfilled and dreams coming true. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
She smiled as she pondered her sudden change of fortune, so wonderful, unexpected, and perhaps undeserved. \u201cSometimes dreams really do come true,\u201d she marveled. \u201cAnd sometimes cows really do come home to roost.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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