Chapter 2

A few hours after dinnertime, the two friends found themselves at their favorite watering hole. Dingy and dark, they usually avoided non-islanders here. And the beer was cheap.

"These yeast rings are the best," Andre said, finishing his second donut.

"Doesnt grandma make the best?! Well, I guess I make them now, haha," Gemma laughed after finishing her second. She washed it down with the rest of her beer.

"Should we get another?" Andre asked, holding up his empty glass.

"I never understand how you can drink so much and don't feel drunk. I'm ready to stumble home. Plus, the bakery hours are sooo early," she couldn't help but whine.

"Then let's call it a night! Congrats on your first day! I'll get the tab." While Andre went to pay for the beers, Gemma wandered over to a flier she saw taped to the wall.

"Beer drinking competition! Last one standing wins!" She read the details. The bar was hosting the competition four different times over the summer. €50 bet for a top prize of €1000! Was this a joke? She walked over to the bar.

"Hey, can anyone join this beer drinking competition?" She gestured to the flier behind her. The bartender sized her up.

"Yep, we'll take your €50."

"Great! I'm signing up my friend here!" The bartender disappointingly looked over to the young man next to her. At 165 pounds, Andre didnt look like a big beer drinker, but he clearly had a better shot at this than his lightweight friend. Andre smiled a little nervously at the bartender, then to Gemma. "Really?"

"Yes! Haha.. You can do it! I'll pay for it and help you train. Worst case, you drink a bunch of beer!" She gave his flat stomach a little tap with the back of her hand before reaching for her wallet. She slapped the cash on the bar, and the bartender handed Andre a registration form.

As they walked out the door, Andre asked Gemma, trying to hide the worry in his voice, "What do you mean by 'train' ... for a beer drinking competition?"

"Listen, you can win! We can win €1000! We can split the money! We just need to... stretch your stomach a little, to make sure you don't get too full halfway through the competition."

"And how do you plan to do that?" he returned with wide eyes.

She seemed to be thinking while she talked. "Hm.. competition will be stiff. You have to drink as much as you can as many nights as you can before the first competition date. But I think youll need more than beer to make a big impact... Hey, what are you doing Friday, want to come over to my place for dinner?"

Andre had a feeling he knew where this was going. But what was the worst that could happen? He sighed out loud, "Sure, sounds great. I guess I'll bring a six pack."

She grinned. "Bring two! Haha, dont worry, this is gonna be fun! Text ya tomorrow!" She gave him a big hug before letting herself into her apartment.

The next day it was a little harder for Gemma to rise and shine, but she managed. She was starving after beers and donuts last night. She cracked an egg into a pan, and while it cooked, started slicing into a loaf of bread she had brought home yesterday. Too hungry to wait, she gnawed on a slice while topping her egg with cheese. She placed the finished egg between two more slices of bread, and hurried out the door.

At the bakery right on time, she came in the backdoor. "Good morning, Grandma! How are you?"

"Oh, dear Gemma! We have so much to do before the busy weekend rush! All the pastry cases need restocked today. I'll get started on the bread, if you can gather the ingredients for the pastries."

"Of course!" She also spied grandma had a pot of coffee ready. "Mind if I have a cup?"

"I brewed it for us! You should try it with a yeast ring... its my favorite treat!"

Gemma considered the larger than usual breakfast she had already had, but she wanted nothing more than a sweet treat with her coffee. She grabbed the largest yeast ring she could find and looked through the recipes while she nibbled and sipped.

They worked hard until 9am when the assistant arrived to handle the opening of the doors. Being a Thursday, the opening crowd was not bad, and Gemma finally sat down. Dang, Gemma thought. She felt her low blood sugar, and she felt a little hungry again. She saw grandma had brewed another pot of coffee. Thinking to herself she'd be sure to pack a lunch tomorrow, she got up to grab a day old donut and another cup of coffee before returning to the little table.

*ping* a text from Andre. "Hey, come to the backdoor, I have something for you." Gemma stuffed the rest of the donut in her mouth before rushing out the backdoor of the bakery. There was Andre! With a little paper bag!

"Haha hey, how are you feeling today? I thought you could use some pastizzis."

"Well you are right!" There were four little savory puff pastries in the bag. "You are the best! Do you want one?"

"Those are for you! I had a couple for breakfast already. I'm running late, though, I guess I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Yes! I have a great plan for tomorrow! Come over at 6!"

Gemma almost ate all four little pastizzis standing outside in the fresh air, but she managed to save one to share with her hardworking grandmother. Finally, with a full belly, Gemma felt ready to tackle the rest of her day. More baking to do!