“I’m afraid that I’ve burned myself out. I love what I’ve done these past nine years, and I am so grateful for the opportunity I was given and the achievements I’ve accomplished. But it’s not the same anymore. I am very sorry for disappointing you. You know it’s something that I don’t like doing. I hate myself for it.”
“Ellie, please do not hate yourself. That is ridiculous. You are still so young and have so many things you can be doing. You can travel and learn more. You can work in a small bakery. You can openyour own bakery.”
“Funny that you mention that. My family and friends have been nagging me about opening my own bakery.”
Rowan looks up from his phone at me. He raises his brows in questioning, and I give him a tight smile.
“Ellie, I think you have so much talent that I’m scared you are going to put it to waste. You have an incredible imagination. I would hate to see that go away. I never shared this with anyone except my wife, but I've always loved the idea of opening my own space. A little family company that I can pass down from generation to generation.
“But I also liked the fast pace of life. I liked the loudness of the kitchens and the chaotic yet structured life. The adrenaline of it all. But you,youhave something, an opportunity that you can take and run with. This could be something that you can pass down. You’ve already made a name for yourself, so now, you should do what truly makes you happy. If that’s baking at home in private, that’s fine. If you decide to open a bakery, that would be incredible, and I will be the first in line when it opens. I have so much faith in you and your abilities. I know you can do whatever it is that you put your mind to.”
I wipe away the tears that caught up to me unexpectedly. Relief runs through my body, and I feel…excited for this new chapter. One of the most influential and important people in my life has just given me what I needed. What I didn’t know I needed.
“I do have a request, though,” she adds.
“A request?” I say through watery tears.
Rowan looks at me, now just seeing what my emotions are doing to me. He quickly gets up and wraps his arms around me while I continue to talk on the phone.
“Yes. How would you feel about curating the dessert menu for me? Think of it as one last hurrah. I’ve seen what you make in your spare time. I would love a piece of you with me as you start this new journey.”
I let out a sigh and a smile, processing what she just asked of me. Something I never thought I’d dream of doing in a place like The Red Table. I hold on to Rowan’s arm while the phone is still pressed to my ear.
I sniff. “How soon would you need it?”
“Two weeks. Can you do that for me?” I hear the smile in her voice.
I wipe away a tear.
I nod enthusiastically. “Yes. I can get the menu for you.”
Rowan bends to the side to look at me, and all I can do is smile at him, telling him through my expression that this is good news. I nod lightly to him.
“Two weeks,” she repeats.
“Yes, of course. Thank you so much for this opportunity.”
“No, thank you, Ellie. I’ll speak with you soon.”
“Yes, I’ll speak to you soon. Goodbye, Chef.”
I hang up the phone and look at Rowan.
“What? What happened?” He unwraps his arms from me and places his hands on his hips, waiting for whatever it is I’m going to say.
I look at him and then at his giant kitchen and point to it. “Mind if I use your kitchen?”
fifty-eight
ROWAN
Ellie has not steppedout of the kitchen infourdays. The only time she has is when I force her to shower, eat, and at least sleep for five hours. I don’t know how she’s working on no sleep. Then again, this is what she did throughout her 20s.
When she told me what happened, I wasn’t sure if I should have been happy or worried. Happy because she’s officially moving back home, or worried that she now has two weeks to produce five dessert items for her boss.
After she told me that, she started writing down ideas and making a list of everything she needed. I insisted on going shopping for her so she could stay home and continue to come up with more ideas. I’ve even cracked an egg or two for her while she was running around with flour on her face and arms.
There was a night when I made her go to bed with me and she woke me up by reciting a recipein her sleep.Call me crazy, but when I heard her talking to the ceiling in measurements, I grabbed my phone and started typing what she was saying.
