Page 6 of The Biker & the Baker

“I understand you, Bianca, I really do.”Brian gave the lady a sympathetic look. “You do a lot for the arts and crafts club as it is.” He sighed in defeat. “No one I know here or in the town is a baker; Lawrence and the other guards asked around, too, but nothing.”

From where he stood, Albert cleared his throat. “Um…sorry to interrupt, but I think I can help you.” When the librarian and the lady turned their heads in his direction, he continued. “I am a baker, used to have my own small business back when my husband was alive.”

“And here you are, coming to the rescue, just like you used to do back when we were kids.” Brian exclaimed, giving his old friend a warm, bright smile, then shook his head. “A baker, huh? I should’ve guessed, you loved to help mom when she baked and even volunteered to clean the kitchen afterwards.”

“I’m sorry, but this gentleman is…” Bianca’s voice sounded hesitant, laced with suspicion and a bit of hostility. “I haven’t seen him around until now,” she continued, looking between the two men.

“Excuse my bad manners,” Brian gave the other two an apologetic smile. “Bianca, this is Albert Finkel, my best friend from childhood.Albert, this is Bianca Bloom, kindergarten teacher here at The Base and, together with her sister Martha, the one behind the arts and crafts club.”

“Nice to meet you.” The other man extended his hand with a smile. “What you ladies do with the arts and crafts club is amazing,” he spoke in a warm, enthusiastic voice. “The one who told me about this place said it was originally meant as a sanctuary for victims of child prostitution and pornography, and only recently its founders extended their protection to the victims of domestic violence, too. Making these poor souls forget about the hell they endured by encouraging them to explore their creativity and hobbies is something worthy of admiration.”

“I deeply apologize for earlier,” Bianca spoke, deeply moved by Albert’s words. “We are permanently alert here, because evil has many faces, but a friend of Brian’s can only be a good, selfless, helpful man, like he is.” She stopped a bit, then continued in a warm voice. “My sister and I are not alone in this; Brian and the other few volunteers who constantly support us in so many ways are the heart and soul of this project.”

“What project? I want to be in it, too.” A man’s voice coming from the door made the three turn their heads in that direction.

CHAPTER 5

“Don’t tell me it’s already lunchtime.” Brian stared incredulously at the newcomer, none other than his husband, and at the big, brown paper bag he was carrying.

“Don’t tell me you’d have skipped your meal again, if it wasn’t for me bringing it.” Bart’s reply was accompanied by a shake of his head. “Although, in this case, the charming company would have made for a good excuse,” the man added with a grin when he saw Bianca.His facial expression changed to surprise, almost shock, as he stared at Albert. “Is this guy who I think he is?”

It was Brian’s turn to grin.“Yes, smol bean, you are looking at my childhood friend, Albert, aka Light.” He turned to the other man, who, smiling shyly, extended the hand in Bart’s direction. “Light, it’s my pleasure to introduce you to the man who brought light, hope, and love into my life, Bart, my beloved husband.”

“I’m very happy to meet you.” A friendly smile on his face, Bart took Albert’s hand and shook it vigorously. He studied the man in front of him for a few seconds, then huffed a laugh. “Wanna know something funny? A few days ago, my dear husband here started talking about you out of the blue, and I had this gut feeling you’d come back into his life sooner rather than later.”

Bianca checked her watch, then discreetly coughed.“Well, I better go to the dining hall, my poor sister waits for me so we can have lunch together, and I don’t want her to starve to death.”She gave Albert a warm smile. “Get settled and then we’ll talk more in detail.”

A few seconds of silence followed after the woman left, then Bart was the first who spoke. “Get settled? What was Bianca talking about? Are you here to stay?”

“Yes, and I plan to bring my children to live with me, too. Which reminds me, who should I talk to for a job and a house? The person who directed me here gave me a list of names, but I was hoping you could help me, since you know them better.” Albert raised his hands. “Not to get a house for us, just to point me in the right direction.”

“Of course my husband can help you, and he will,” Bart said enthusiastically. “The bosses, the principal, and all the others will be happy to help get you settled and start your new life. However, for the time being, you’ll be staying with us.” He shook his finger “Don’t even think about saying no.”

“Bart is right, I’d be very happy if you’d accept our invitation; of course it extends to your children, we have a huge house, and our kids would be thrilled to have company.” Brian took his friend’s hands in his. “Please, Light?”

Albert nodded with a sigh. “Okay, but only for today, and only if you promise to give me a ride tomorrow. That will be after you’ll take me to whoever can help me with a house.” He looked into the librarian’s eyes. “I don’t want to overstay my welcome and besides, my children and I need to spend as much time together as we can get .”

Bart sensed the tinge of sadness in the man’s voice and gave him a sympathetic look. As a father himself, he totally understood him, so he changed the subject to avoid hishusband’s friend from getting even more melancholic. “So…Bianca. What is she up to now? Or was it about the end of the summer fair?”

“The fair. She is a happy girl now, because someone, a professional baker, volunteered to help with supervising the kids decorating the cupcakes, cookies, cakes, and the other baked products for the fair, and showing them how to do it right.”

“But this is great news!” Bart exclaimed, rubbing his hands together in excitement. “And who is that providential person, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“Of course not, my love,” Brian answered with a grin. “He’s standing in front of you,” he discreetly pointed in Albert’s direction.

“Even greater,” Bart continued to show his enthusiasm. “Once you get settled, there’s this financing program for those who want to open small businesses, I think you should talk to Mister Fergus about it.”

“Thank you, but I have my own money.”Albert swallowed hard a few times before continuing. “When I sold the bakery and cake shop, I opened a separate account and didn’t spend a single cent from what I put there. I always hoped to open another one, but…”

Another subject he’s not ready to talk about, Brian thought, seeing the sadness creeping back into his best friend’s eyes. “I’m hungry like a wolf, and I bet the two of you are, too, the food is getting cold, and the lunch break is almost over, so…” He gestured to the paper bag Bart put on the counter.

His words were met with enthusiasm by both men, with Albert only realizing how hungry he was when the recipients were opened and the delicious aromas tickled his nostrils. He expressed his appreciation through words of praise and soft moans, much to the librarian’s and his husband’s satisfaction.

Bart approved with a nod, saying that Winter, the cook, put passion and a bit of his kind soul in every dish he prepared. He also offered Albert a short version of the guy’s story, then fell silent and looked at Brian, a wide grin spreading on his face while he was finishing his meal, with his husband smiling and shaking his head.

There must be something just the two of them know, Albert said to himself, watching Bart blushing a deep shade of pink under the librarian’s stare. He wasn’t wrong, because, once they all finished eating, Bart recalled how, on his first day at The Base, Elias, the big bad boss, assigned him to kitchen duty for dropping too many F-bombs for his taste.

Then, Bart continued his story, he ended up at the library, and met the one who stole his heart and changed the course of his life forever. Albert was shocked to find out the two started off on the wrong foot, especially since he witnessed how they didn’t need words to communicate, their eyes speaking volumes every time they looked at each other.

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