Sweet Bits (9 page)

Now there was no other way; she’d have to use her culinary school money to help her father. The idea of getting a job to make more money was becoming more and more real. The personal chef and baking business wasn’t going to allow her enough to save for tuition and save for living expenses. As the idea became more and more real to her, the more depressed she got. Getting a job meant putting her dream on hold and after being so close, she couldn’t help but feel deflated.

“You’re not going to be working on these cases much longer,” said Jones. He had called Ben up to his office to get an update on the latest project, a run-down tenement on the outskirts of town. People living there were surviving without heat during the winter or consistent water in the summer. It was atrocious—almost as bad as the Bel Aire Towers. Ben had relished putting together enough evidence to condemn the building and put the owner in jail and forcing him to pay for the tenants to live elsewhere.

Ben frowned. “Why not? I feel I’m doing a good…”

Jones cut him off. “Cause they’re pro bono and you’re too important to our other clients.” He sat behind his large desk and put his feet up on it. He looked every bit the stereotypical boss. All he needed was a fat cigar, thought Ben. “And they pay the bills,” he said flatly.

Ben’s heart sank. The idea of going back and working on those boring multi-million dollar cases and contracts stifled him. He wasn’t sure he could do it.

“So, we’re taking no more pro bono cases?”

“Sure, now and then, when we have a client or someone like the Mayor requesting it,” said Jones. “You do know the mayor practically forced us to take the Bel Air Towers mess, don’t you?”

Ben didn’t. He wasn’t a partner and certainly wasn’t aware of the politics of what cases they took or didn’t take. He just got assigned them and did his job. He suddenly felt very naïve. He shook his head.

“His Highness wanted the mess cleaned up and when the Mayor calls, you answer” said Jones with a hint of contempt. He obviously didn’t want to take the case and was unhappy about being forced into it by the Mayor.

“I put you on it ‘because you’re good at what you do and I figured you’d take care of it once and for all. That and you’d be good on TV.”

Ben’s jaw dropped slightly. So, more trained pony work, thought Ben. Let me dance for you. He felt deflated. “OK,” he said slowly. I understand. But he didn’t. He knew the firm needed to make money and take retainers from deep-pocketed clients, but these cases are the ones that really meant something. He thought of his friend Jason and the work he was doing and suddenly felt like an idiot for not making different choices.

“So, you’ll finish up on the Rutfield case and get back to your clients. Sound good?”

“Uh, sure,” mumbled Ben as he left the plush office. His foray into meaningful law was about to come to an end and he couldn’t be more depressed.

***

“You’ll never guess, Ben. You’ll just never guess!” Ali was excited and talking fast.

“OK, I won’t guess,” teased Ben.

“Oh, Ben, guess what?”

“OK, I will guess…you won the lottery?”

“No, silly!” She was breathless. “Guess who just called me and offered me a part-time job? You’ll never guess.”

Ben laughed. “OK, OK…um…”

“The Golden Palm!”

Ben blinked. The Golden Palm was the restaurant where he had taken Ali to celebrate his court case win. It was arguably one of the best in the city. “The Golden Palm?
The Golden Palm
Golden Palm?”

“Yes, the one we went to, the amazing one with that terrific food. Can you believe it?”

“They called you and offered you a job? Working in the kitchen?”

“Baking!” said Ali. “Working as an apprentice Pastry Chef! Can you even believe it?”

Ben was speechless. “No, he couldn’t believe it. How…?”

Ali started ticking off the chain of events. “They had a representative at the baking competition, tasted my cake, actually thought it should have won and were looking for an apprentice for their pastry kitchen and they want me!” She was out of breath.

“Oh my gosh, that is amazing! Wow!” Ben took a moment to let it sink in. It was a once-in-a-lifetime chance.

“I told them I had no real culinary experience, that I was a personal chef and baked cakes here and there and was planning to go to culinary school…and guess what?”

“What?”

“They said that if everything went well, after I worked for six months they would pay for my training and have a job for me when I graduated. Can you believe it?”

Ben laughed. He was being asked to believe quite a lot in the last few moments. It was unreal, he thought. It was like a fairytale where everything just suddenly falls into place. He was dumbfounded.

“I honestly don’t know what to say,” he finally stumbled. “I can’t believe it. It’s like your dream is coming true…and all for a second place cake,” he teased.

Ali laughed. “Yeah, I was so bummed I didn’t win, but honestly this is better. Don’t you think?”

“Uh, yeah!” said Ben. He was caught up in her excitement. After his deflating talk with his own boss he was glad to hear some inspiring news.

“So, are you going to take it?”

“Heck, yeah!” said Ali. “Of course. I couldn’t be happier. It’s like, one of the best restaurants in the city…probably even the country. The chance to learn under a Master Pastry Chef and get my school paid for…” she trailed off. She couldn’t believe her fortune. After so many false starts, here was an amazing opportunity handed right to her. And it all started because of that competition… “Oh,” she exclaimed. “I’ve to call Toni and my Dad…”

“How is your Dad?” he asked hating to break the upbeat moment.

“He’s good,” said Ali. “Well, as good as can be expected. His surgery is Thursday so Toni and I are going to be at the hospital all day.”

“Well, my prayers are with him. I’m sure everything will be just fine,” said Ben. It was what you said in those times and he meant every word of it.

“Thanks,” said Ali. Could she love this guy anymore? The problem was, it was one-sided. She’d been careful to keep it just-friends as it was obviously what she and Ben would always be, but right now she wanted to tell him how much she loved him and needed him in her life.

Instead, she just said, “OK, well I had to call my sous-chef first! After all, it was a joint-effort.”

Ben chuckled. “No, Ali, it was all you. You have the magic.” He wished he could be with her now to give her a big hug and kiss and twirl her around the room. He longed to see her, but her life was busy right now and he respected that. After all, they were just friends,
weren’t they?

It was a question Ben tossed back and forth in his mind more and more often. He knew how he felt, but kept it to himself. Ali didn’t need to be burdened with his feelings right now. She had enough distractions in her life.

***

“So, no more landlords to slay?” asked Tess as she entered Ben’s office. He had just come from court and another win on his latest pro-bono case.

“Guess not,” he said and slouched in his chair. He loosened his new tie and leaned back and looked at the ceiling. He’d been successful in getting Tess’ job back for her and she had been grateful, buying him a gorgeous silk tie in appreciation. She admired it on him now. Whoever gets him will be a lucky girl, she thought.

“Here’s your next case,” said Tess frowning and depositing a new stack of files on his desk. “Looks like you’re back in corporate world. I’m going to miss the work we’ve been doing the last month or so.”

He was not looking forward to looking at the files. Some rich corporation suing another rich corporation and fighting over millions. Who cares?

“Yeah, me too,” said Ben wearily. He wanted to take off running and never look back. He didn’t think he could go back to the work he was doing before.

“Well, I ordered some lunch. Sushi,” she said brightly. She could see he was tired and thought his favorite lunch would cheer him up.

Ben smiled at her. “Thanks. Sounds good.” Tess was a great assistant and he was thrilled they kept her on. She always seemed to know what he needed before he needed it. He was hungry.

“Tess, you’re awesome,” he said.

“I know,” she said as she walked out of his office.

***

Ali and Toni sat in the sterile hospital waiting room. They took turns pacing, flipping through old magazines, taking water, coffee and food breaks and generally just tapping their toes nervously waiting for news on Ali’s Dad. He’d been in surgery for three hours and so far they heard nothing.

“I wish they’d just give us some sort of update,” said Ali watching the clock.

“Don’t worry, honey, he’s in good hands,” said Toni feeling just as nervous as Ali but hoping to be the strong one.

“I hope so,” said Ali. She had already read every magazine and drank more than her share of coffee. It was horrible just waiting.

“Patience is a virtue,” said Toni winking at her.

“I guess I’m not very virtuous,” said Ali mustering a half smile.

“Why don’t you take a walk outside, Al? I will call you if I hear something.”

Ali would love some fresh air. It was a brilliant summer day without a cloud in the sky. Maybe she would.

As she walked around the small courtyard the hospital kept for waiting visitors and patients who needed exercise after surgery, she watched the various people. Some walked slowly with a hospital-gown clad patient dragging along a portable IV drip machine. Others just walked, spoke on their cell phones or sat on Benches listening to the soft water noises from the fountain in the center of the courtyard.

Ali took a seat on a Bench near a lush bush of green leaves and bright red flowers. She felt a little better just being outside. It wasn’t but a few minutes when her phone rang. News of her father.

“Hey, Al, how’s your Dad. Any news?” asked Ben. He had wanted to come to the hospital, but Ali had declined his offer. Today she just wanted to concentrate on her Dad and lately Ben left her feeling confused and distracted.

“No, they are still in surgery,” she said. She was really glad to talk to him. Suddenly she felt tears come to her eyes. She’s tried to be strong all day with Toni, but now, talking to Ben, she felt a rush of emotion.

“Oh, Ben, what if something’s wrong?”

“Don’t worry, Ali, I’m sure it’s fine. When my mom had surgery a few years ago we waited like five or six hours before we heard anything. Just try to be patient.”

“That word again,” thought Ali. Patient. She knew it was not a strong characteristic she carried and it irritated her how everyone suddenly required it of her.

“Yeah, that’s what Toni says,” said Ali frowning. “I’m doing my best.”