ender chicken simmered in seasoned rice with bell peppers and onions, a simple but

lled into a bun. She was tired, but she still sang softly as she stirred the pot, plating the food j

ng!" Mindy grinned. "Bette

the restaurant hear you say that. T

air was positioned just outside the kitchen, his hands r

agile world after Tina walked out. The woman who had once been the love of Phil's life had disappeared when M

lost in his own head, that he hadn't noticed the traffic light change one rainy night

up. At just thirteen, she had become mother, sister, caretaker, cook. She'd learned to b

er comp

heavy the weight had bec

om, Phil knocked gently on Bianca's door, just like he

" she sai

of cinnamon tea, still war

ng him a tired sm

al, do the dishes, and still manage to take c

d, staring

wrong," he said ge

the words came in a qui

happened earlier "My boss called me to his office. He...he

en, with a spark of pride, h

e to do. I couldn't let

....no job...no plan ..

to pay for Mindy's surgery now

nd her shoulders. "You've

ding everything toge

ast. That your mother..." His voice faltered, ha

was thirteen. And I kne

nce, the memory

mily bakery. You bake, Mindy handles customers w

. "And who's paying rent w

ja. Faith

leaned her head on his s

ing a hand over her hair

all day, Bianca all

---

t over her tired face. She scrolled through job listings with one hand, the other

th

. No emails.

w and bounced, landing loudly on the floor with a thud. Magazines she had collected for inspiration-baking s

rching, praying-nothing. Her savings were thinning. Mindy's hospital a

oor snapped her

e came through gently, "

her face quickly, pulled her hoodie slee

the wreckage on the floor, but he didn't

ad, looking down

ushing her hair back affectionately. "Do

iverse has it out f

ad. "Maybe it's just testin

best friend, Tasha, sat waiting with her usual burst of color-curly hair in

into a tight hug. "Girl, you look l

en't," Bianca muttere

asha got st

any u

ks. Nothing's biting. I don't know what I'm doing wro

into her tote bag and pulled out a glossy magazine. She fli

g-shot law firm in Bronx? They're hi

brow. "A law fir

gotta eat fancy while the

ure enough: "Private In-House Chef Position Available

days f

Tasha said quickl

n't k

r half the block, and once baked a lemon t

d again. A flicker of

is was s

uttered. Tasha clapped her hands and s

her-Bianca still cautious, but with the first spark