chapter 4

Cedric pulled out his phone and called his assistant. “I’m at Bakery D. Could you please pick me up? I have a guest I’d like to take out to breakfast. Thanks, Luz.”

Luz pulled up in Cedric’s town car less than 5 minutes later. Cedric introduced her to May and held the door open so May could climb in.

“Oh, and Luz, could you watch these boxes for us?”

“Sure thing!” she responded cheerfully.

May learned that Luz and Cedric had been working together for years. They were more of a partnership than superior and assistant. May felt more comfortable having another woman vouch for Cedric- he started to seem like someone who was safe to be around.

Luz ended up dropping them off at Cedric’s favorite diner near the middle of town.

They were quickly seated. After scouring the menu, not wanting to be rude, May ordered the cheapest item: biscuits and gravy. Cedric felt a bit disappointed, but started to understand the type of person May was. He’d heard from Donte about her immense appetite and ability to pack away baked goods, and wanted to see if it translated over to regular food, too.

Luckily, Cedric found a work around. He planned to order several things for himself and then lie about not being able to finish it all, and offer much of it to May. He thought himself very clever for thinking of this, and hoped it would work.

May’s eyes widened in surprise when all of their food came. Cedric had ordered quite a few things for himself, including both pancakes AND French toast, a pile of bacon and sausages, and extra crispy country potatoes. May quickly ate her biscuits and gravy, but her stomach continued to rumble, crying out for more. Cedric took this as his cue.

“Ah, I must have ordered too much. May, could you help me out and eat some of this? It would all lose freshness if I kept it as leftovers and I’d hate to waste...” He crossed his fingers under the table, hoping so hard she’d bite. Again, not wanting to be rude, and all the while being so grateful to have a real meal, she obliged.

“Sure, just pass me what you won’t finish.” May tried to act cool about the whole thing, but she was absolutely starving!

Cedric pushed over the plate of French toast with dollop of diner butter and whipped cream on it. He piled some bacon and sausages on the side. May’s mouth began to water as the food was pushed in front of her. She’d eat to her heart’s content today!

Without being sloppy, May ate everything Cedric pushed in front of her. Her stomach was much like a black hole on these meds, much to Cedric’s pleasure. May slowly began to open up as she ate, and held a pleasant conversation with him.

“I remember you saying you moved here a few months ago. Where were you staying before?” Cedric asked before taking a sip of cranberry juice.

“I lived with my parents in the next town over,” said May between bites of her 5th slice of bacon. “I didn’t like it.”

Cedric had a receptive look on his face, which urged May to continue.

“They weren’t very nice to me. Mainly because I was born... different than other kids.” May started to feel a bit nervous. She didn’t like to disclose her mental health issues so early, but had accidentally let her last sentence slip through. Sensing Cedric’s curiosity, she continued. “I have some experience with mental health issues, is all. That’s why I’m living on my own now,” May’s anxiety spurred her to eat faster and faster. “My parents got sick of me being sick and kicked me out. So, here I am.” She remarked, a bit sullen, while shoving large forkfuls of syrup and butter covered pancake in her mouth.

Cedric looked on, feeling a bit ashamed of unconsciously pushing her to disclose this. He reached his arm out to her across the table with his hand open. “Thank you for sharing this with me. I’m really sorry to hear that your parents had little empathy for your situation. I know we just met, but I want to be there for you.”

May stopped eating and considered his offer. She slowly reached her hand out towards his, and Cedric held it gently while giving her a kind and understanding smile. He felt how small and delicate her hand was in his great and sturdy fist. May felt a pang of sweetness in her chest which radiated warmth to her limbs. She’d never been offered this before, and her parents made her feel like she’d never experience it. May felt something stir deep inside her- maybe she wasn’t a lost cause after all.

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(I will be adding more chapters soon! Thanks for reading!!)