It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye

Flo locked the front doors, pulled down the white solar shades, and turned off the neon pink “Open” sign for The Sweet Life Bakery for the last time.

“Thanks for helping me close tonight Shell. I really don’t think I could have handled this by myself.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way. You know you’re like family, Flo. And this bakery was as much a part of my family as it was yours. It’s a part of all of the families here in Kenwood.”

This was more than a business, Shell. We didn’t just provide desserts,” Flo continued as she now gazed into the empty lit glass display case in front of her. “We shared heart connections with people; we celebrated their special days, their victories, and cried with them in their tender moments. We did life together,” she added as her voice began to tremble.

“And even though things definitely didn’t turn out the way I wanted, as in us staying in business,  I wouldn’t trade the experience and memories for anything,” she said walking and glancing around, creating a permanent imprint in her memory of every detail of the bakery.

Sensing Flo’s emotional descent, Shell deftly guided the conversation in a different direction. “I remember how Ms. Mae would always have a community-wide cupcake and cookie party for the kids at the end of the school year. She always gave extras to those who made the honor roll. 

And the senior citizens almost had fistfights over her specialty hazelnut banana bread,” Shell continued, snapping her fingers in a circle. “I can’t count the number of times I had to step between Mrs. Gray and Mr. Robinson before they came to blows. They reminded me of Fred Sandford and Aunt Esther when they started to rumble. Remember that, Flo?” Shell asked giggling as she recalled the memories.

“How could I forget?” Flo replied as she joined in with her own giggles. “And do you remember the dozens and dozens of donuts she gave away every week to first responders to thank them for their service? My Mama was always doing something to love on somebody.” 

“And Flo, you carried on her legacy of giving in your own unique ways. I’ll never forget the time you saved Bridezilla’s wedding day even though she treated you like red clay dirt.  

“Oooh Chile,’ don’t take me back,” Flo said as she massaged her temples and closed her eyes as if reliving the mental anguish Bridezilla unleashed on her all over again. 

“Humm, I think the staff at Dream Wedding Cakes intentionally caused their oven to break down the morning of that beast’s wedding so they couldn’t deliver her cake,” said Shell.

“You’re probably right,” Flo said, amused by her opinion.

“No “probably” about it, Girlfriend,” Shell responded as she placed her gloved hands on her robust hips and chuckled.

Well, let’s wrap it up,” said Flo. “Tomorrow’s calling. Listen, Shell,” she continued as she approached her unofficial business partner. 

Standing in front of her, she took Shell’s hands in hers. “I can’t thank you enough for believing in me; that I could run this place when Mama passed. You believed in me more than I believed in myself. Mama told me I could count on you, and she was right.” 

“Girl stop!” Shell squealed. “Now you have me tearing up!” she said as she feverishly fanned herself the way she did when she was trying to keep her make-up from running.

Flo continued, “You were like the frosting to my cake, the glaze to my donut, and the crust to my pie. I couldn’t have made it these last 13 years without you.”

“You speak truth, but stop before I collapse into a puddle, and you know yo’ skinny behind can’t pick up all of this by yourself,” she said, waving her hands over her bountifully blessed body as if she were a model showcasing a prize on The Price is Right.

They cracked up, enjoying belly-rolling laughter for a few seconds before they heard a loud knock at the door. The laughter abruptly stopped, and they eyed each other with fear and surprise. 

“Who is it?” Flo asked sheepishly as she moved towards the door.

“Hold on,” Shell said yanking Flo back by the arm, almost pulling it out of joint. “Let me get the baseball bat from the back before you open the door in case I need to bash somebody’s head in.” She dashed to the back, grabbed the bat, returned, and stood behind Flo.

“Go ahead,” she said as she pushed Flo towards the door and the knock continued.

“I’m coming. Who is it?” she asked more forcefully.

“Flo, it’s Larry Washington. I’m sorry to have come so late. I hope I didn’t scare you, but may I come in? It’s important.”

Flo, recognizing the voice of one of her regulars, quickly unlocked the door. 

“Larry, what are you doing here?” she asked as she waved him in.

“I was trying to get here before you closed, but my VP decided to take the managers out at the last minute to discuss 3^rd quarter profits. And, I couldn’t say no to the VP, especially not this  one.” 

“What are you doing here?” asked Shell.

“Shell, do you mind putting that bat down, please? You’re making me nervous. Your reputation for being a ferocious bat swinger precedes you.”

“Sorry, and thank you,” Shell responded, proud of his acknowledgment of her bat-swinging abilities. 

“You’re welcome,” he replied relieved that she was now disarmed. 

“I have something for you, Flo,” he said redirecting his attention to her. He reached into the inside pocket of his designer African-print blazer, never taking his eyes off her, pulled out a gold envelope, and handed it to her.

“What’s this?” she asked as she looked up into his winsome brown eyes.   

“Hope,” he responded.

Flo’s eyelids fluttered as she opened the envelope, pulled the green check out, read it, grabbed her mouth, stumbled backward, and then dropped to the floor.

“What’s wrong,” Shell asked trying to catch her before she crashed on the porcelain-tiled floor.  

Flo, crying uncontrollably, couldn’t respond, not coherently anyway. She hit Shell in the chest with the check.  

Shell grabbed it, read it, and started screaming and jumping with the velocity of an Olympic high jumper.  

She and Larry lifted Flo from the floor, and then Flo and Shell locked arms and bounced for joy together. Shouts of triumphant and grateful praise transcended the brick structure of the building.  

“That’s enough to pay your back rent and rent for the next 12 months. I talked to my contact at the bank, and they’ll be waiting to receive your payment tomorrow morning,” Larry said. 

More leaping and elated cries of hallelujah followed his statement. This time, they took their rejoicing to another level by adding a couple of victory laps inside the bakery. 

Larry was amazed at their stamina. They were literally powered by praise. He stood there, smiling, captivated by the beauty and depth of their gratitude. His heart was humbled and overwhelmed that God would use him to be a part of this wonderful miracle.  

“Larry, why? Why would you do this for me? This is too generous.” Flo said in between breaths as she began to slow down from her worship marathon. 

“Ms. Mae was always so kind to me, my mom, and my four siblings after my dad passed. I never told you this, but every day for at least a month after the funeral, well, the graveside ceremony since we couldn’t afford a funeral, Ms. Mae would bring a meal by the house, along with a cake or a pie. She didn’t know it, or maybe she did, but her meal was often the only one we had that day. I never forgot that. Neither did my mother. My mom always believed that I would be successful when I grew up, so she made me promise to help Ms. Mae and her family if you ever needed it. So, today, I’m here to honor that promise, and I couldn’t be happier to do so.  

I would love to hear what you gleaned from this story. Please share a Comment below. 

© 2025 Felicia Harris-Russell. All rights reserved.

CONGRATULATIONS TO RUBY W. OF BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA!!

Ruby is the winner of the $50 Amazon eGiftcard in our MERRY CHRISTMAS 2024 CONTEST.

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