"I don't know. Yesterday I felt free. Today I feel like a traitor."
"To who?"
"My grandmother. The town. Myself. Everyone." Lucy looked at Mae. "What if I'm making a huge mistake?"
"What if you're not? What if this is exactly what you're supposed to do?"
"How do I know the difference?"
Mae was quiet for a moment. "I don't think you do. I think you just have to trust yourself and see what happens."
The morning rush was steady. Mr. Peterson came in at his usual time, and Lucy found herself studying his face when she handed him his bran muffin—would he still come here after she sold? Would the new owners keep his regular order memorized?
The Knitting Circle arrived at 8:30, and Mrs. Patterson called out: "Lucy, dear, is it true? About the bakery?"
Lucy felt everyone's eyes turn to her. "Yes. I've accepted an offer to sell."
The entire bakery went silent.
"You're selling?" Mr. Peterson looked stricken. "But this place has been here for forty years."
"It's not going anywhere. The new owners want to expand, open more locations—"
"It won't be the same," Mrs. Patterson interrupted. "Your grandmother built this place. It's a Timber Falls institution."
"I know. But I think she'd want it to grow, to reach more people—"
"She'd want you to keep it in the family," another voice said. Lucy turned to see Tom from the hardware store. "Your grandmother trusted you with her legacy. Are you really going to sell it to some corporation?"
"It's not a corporation, it's a development company that specializes in—"
"It's the same thing," Jerry said, and he didn't sound kind anymore. He sounded disappointed. "You're giving up."
Lucy felt like she'd been slapped. "I'm not giving up. I'm choosing a different path—"
"You're abandoning us," Mrs. Patterson said, and her voice was sharp. "We've supported this bakery for decades. We were loyal to your grandmother and to you. And now you're selling to outsiders."
"That's not fair—"
But the Knitting Circle was already gathering their things, leaving their half-drunk coffees on the table. Mr. Peterson put down his muffin, barely touched, and headed for the door.
"Wait—" Lucy started, but they were already leaving.
The bakery, which had been full and warm two minutes ago, was suddenly empty except for Mae and a few younger customers who looked uncomfortable.
Lucy stood behind the counter, shaking.
"They'll come around," Mae said quietly. "They're just shocked."
"They think I'm betraying everyone."
"They're scared of change. People always are."
But Mae's reassurances didn't help. Because Lucy was thinking the same thing: was she betraying everyone? Was she being selfish, choosing her own dreams over her grandmother's legacy?
Her phone buzzed. Uncle Walter.
Uncle Walter:Heard about the bakery news spreading. How are you holding up?
