Despite being affected by her mother’s revelation, Vanessa emerged from her house, looking radiant in a floral-pattern dress and sandals. She had obeyed her mother and had gone back home to rest, but she couldn’t get enough sleep.
Her sleep-deprived exhaustion seemingly forgotten as she walked out of the house with the thought of a fresh start.
The fresh air of the town enveloped her, refreshing her senses and lifting her mood as she strolled towards her mother’s bakery. As she inhaled the fresh air, she inhaled positivity and healing. This feeling was her therapy and she was ready to heal, one way or the other.
As she got closer to Clara’s bakery, the gentle breeze carried the sweet aroma of freshly baked pastries, enticing her to quicken her pace. Despite not having the best relationship with her mother, she loves the smell of pastries.
Vanessa pushed open the door, and the bell above it rang out, announcing her arrival. The bakery was bustling with activity, filled with a mix of familiar and unfamiliar faces.
Faces of older women and men, who had been resident in the town since she was a kid welcomed her with warm smiles, while younger faces, likely tourists or newcomers, looked up with curiosity. This wasn’t a time to seek attention from neighbors. Quickly, Vanessa made her way through the crowd, her eyes scanned the room, searching for her mother. She spotted her mother expertly arranging some cupcakes into the glass case.
“Vanessa, I thought I told you to get some rest.” Clara said as she spotted Vanessa in front of her.
“How can I sleep when i know how busy you are?” Vanessa said as she grabbed the tray from her mother’s hands, arranging the cupcakes the way her mother did.
“What’s the baking contest all about?” She asked her mother.
“How that you’ve spent ten years away from home, you have forgotten things about the baking contest.” Her mother replied, giving her a side look.
“You don’t expect me to remember those things when I don’t get to do them in the city.” Vanessa explained, handing over the tray to her mother.
“Vanessa!” Someone interrupted her. “Long time no see.” The woman added.
Vanessa recognized the woman, but she didn’t remember the woman’s name. With a forced smile on her lips, she turned to her mother, asking for help.
“Mrs Mara, good afternoon. You were later than usual.” Clara saved Vanessa’s ass before she could get criticized and embarrassed.
Understanding the hint, Vanessa mouthed a thank you to her mother before turning to Mrs Mara.
“Mrs Mara, how have you been?” Vanessa said with a smile on her face.
“As you can see, this old woman is living her life to the fullest,” Mrs Mara replied.
“That’s obvious, because you are looking more radiant than ever. How’s your husband?” Vanessa said, trying to get familiar with the old woman.
The sudden sound of her mother’s cough after her question made Vanessa tense. Her gaze traveled to her mother’s face to see the reason for the sudden cough.
With an eye signal, her mother told her that Mrs Mara was a widow. Vanessa mentally slapped herself as she realized she had asked the wrong question.
“What she meant to say was “how is your husband’s flower field? She has been talking nonstop about visiting the field before she goes back to the city.” Clara clarified in a dramatic way, causing Vanessa to nod her head as her mother rescued her from embarrassment.
“You know she is free to visit anytime she wants to.” Mrs Mara answered as she observed Clara’s awkward behavior.
“One buttered bread for me,” Mrs Mara ordered.
“Sure.” Clara said as she grabbed the bread from the counter and packed it for Mrs Mara.
“Oh my God, Vanessa, is that a ring on your finger? Your mother didn’t tell us about you getting married.” Mara exclaimed in excitement.
Vanessa had totally forgotten about the ring on her finger. Without raising suspicions, she tried to hide her hand behind her, but it was too late because Mrs Mara had already commented about it.
“Or are you not married?” Mrs Mara asked, willing to satisfy her curiosity.
“No!” Vanessa said.
Yes!” Clara said.
“What?” Vanessa asked, giving her mother a questioning look.
Why would her mother say yes after everything she had gone through? That’s unreasonable, Vanessa thought as she stared at her mother waiting for answers.
With a forced laugh, Clara turned to Mrs Mara, who was suspicious of Clara’s awkward behavior.
” Vanessa’s wedding was a private one because her husband is a renowned person with a quiet lifestyle,” Clara said.
She didn’t know how she formed the lie to save herself from the preying eyes of Mrs Mara. It was no news that Mrs Mara was the newscaster of the town. In no time, Vanessa’s marriage will be the talk of the town.
“Congratulations dear.” Mrs Mara said with a grin on her face. ” You should visit the flower field, so I can give you a wedding present.”
After making sure Mrs Mara was out of sight, Vanessa turned to her mother with her eyebrows furrowed in anger.
“Why did you tell her that?” Vanessa asked with distaste.
“Why would I not tell her that? Do you expect me to narrate my story to my haters? I only did what was right, and I don’t regret it,” her mother said firmly.
“You don’t have to lie because of your delusions. How many more lies will you tell covering this one?” Frustration gnawed at Vanessa as she weighed the repercussions of her mother’s words.
“I won’t have to explain anything to anyone because Mrs Mara would do a perfect job. Just wait until tonight, everyone in town will know about your marriage.” Clara said, feeling satisfied with herself.
“But still, you shouldn’t have done that. I don’t know how I will face the neighbors.” Vanessa lamented.
“Done what?” Tanisha appeared from nowhere to interrupt the ongoing conversation.
“Mom just told Mrs Mara that I’m married.” Vanessa whined, thinking Tanisha would understand her point.
“Well, you are married or ain’t you married?” Tanisha said, trying to fuel Vanessa’s frustration.
“I made a mistake explaining myself to you.” Vanessa rolled her eyes at Tanisha before facing her mother again.
“I just want to live peacefully here without getting involved in this town’s charades. Please, find a way to solve those lies you just told Mrs Mara.” Vanessa told her mother.
“How is it my fault that you have a ring on your finger? The last time I checked, singles don’t have a wedding ring on them.” Clara replied to her in a mocking way before exiting the front counter.
How could she survive the impending attention she was about to get? Vanessa wondered as she followed her mother into the back office.