The Good Baker

The call for submissions at SunLit Story Time asked for heartwarming and optimistic stories. I nearly scrolled past, but then remembered that I had one piece from years ago that might fit the bill. I wrote THE GOOD BAKER in Zacatecas in the fall of 1998 as a reminiscence of the simpler days of working as a barista before becoming a full-time teacher. That there was a darker strand to this story seemed to escape the notice of the editor, who later asked me to remove the hint of an uncomfortable twist that I'd included in the original ending. This published version (also recorded as podcast audio) reflects that revised, sunnier ending.

As for that darker ending--here's the original last page: