Forty Thousand Dollars and the Deed to Maple Avenue Bakery

to the treasurer. “Arthur did this for you.”

“He did it for the bakery,” I said, though I felt a small warmth in my chest that had nothing to do with the building.

“No,” Clara said, her voice dropping to a whisper. “He did it for you. He has been looking at you that way since nineteen ninety-four.”

I did not answer her. I looked out the tall window at continue reading …