The Bakery

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CHAPTER 27: THE BAKERY

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I went to the bakery on Tuesday morning.

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The old woman was behind the counter. She was the same as always. She didn't smile. She didn't make small talk. She just handed me the melon bread and took my money.

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I bought two.

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She looked at the second one. Then she looked at me.

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"For a friend?" she asked.

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It was the first time she had ever asked me a question.

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I didn't know how to answer.

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"I don't have friends," I said.

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She looked at me for a long moment. Then she nodded.

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"Okay," she said.

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I took the bread and left.

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I gave the second melon bread to Charlotte.

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She was at the gate after school, waiting for me like she always did. I walked up to her and held it out.

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"What's this?" she asked.

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"Melon bread."

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"I can see that. Why?"

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"I bought two."

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She looked at the bread. Then she looked at me.

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"You bought two," she repeated.

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"Yes."

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"Why?"

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I thought about it.

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"Because I thought you might be hungry," I said.

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She stared at me. Her expression didn't change. But something flickered behind her eyes.

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She took the bread.

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"Thank you," she said.

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"You're welcome."

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She didn't eat it. She just held it in her hands and looked at it. Then she looked at me.

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"You're strange," she said.

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"I know."

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She turned and walked away.

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I watched her go.

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I noticed she was holding the bread the way you hold something you don't want to drop. 42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNiTqTo21ax

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