When Thérèse Maxwell arrived a few minutes later, I greeted and welcomed her. Palmer asked some basic introductory questions, but I didn’t test her skills. I didn’t need to.
“Thérèse, why are you leaving Seasoned for a small, independent bakery like mine that isn’t even established yet?”
The older, light, brown-skinned woman, with the patch of gray on the left side of her head, smiled patiently at me as though she were about to explain something to a child, but that was just Thérèse’s manner.
“I chose to leave Seasoned because things were uncomfortable and becoming too hostile. People were losing their jobs left and right as Richard found ways and reasons to replace them over the last year. When they let you go, nothing was ever the same. It impacted morale, and it’s only gotten worse as we’ve gone along. He’s in a similar situation, harassing the woman who was hired to replace you.
“The problem is that the new restaurant manager is Chef Richard’s wife. She’s still stinging from the allegations of his infidelity with you, and she complains about everyone who was there when you were. It’s like she’s trying to erase everyone who was there back then, because she feels insecure, and she’s trying to hire new staff of her choosing. It’s a constant back and forth tug-of-war between him and his wife, and it’s an uncomfortable place to be.
“Either way, they have taken the joy out of something that most of us are passionate about. There is talk about removing the bakery portion of Seasoned altogether. I want to work with someone who loves what they do, brings passion to the kitchen, and desires to make every experience for their patrons a delight. I don’t find that there anymore.”
“Have you resigned?”
“I’ll give my resignation as soon as I find a new job. I’ll be honest with you; I haven’t applied for anyplace else. I don’t want to work for just anyone, Tegan, nor do I want to work with just anyone. If that were the case, I would remain where I am.
“The reason I came to Baby Got Buns is because I know you’re operating this bakery, and that alone speaks for itself. Despite what happened at Seasoned, you have an excellent reputation. You always had a positive spirit and a peaceful heart.”
“Thank you.”
“Those words are honest; this isn’t about flattery to get a job. I would be honored to work with you again, and to have the chance to help Baby Got Buns gain the reputation it deserves through creating experiences and cakes that surpass your patrons’ wildest dreams. I know I can, and I believe you have what it takes to set the bar at a higher level for this industry. I want to be on the road to your journey to success, championing you all the way.”
“Thank you, Thérèse. What you’ve said today means a lot to me. Like I said before, there is no reason to give you a formal interview or test your skills, because I’m already familiar with them. I do have three other cake decorators on the schedule for today, though, and I would like to give them the honor and respect of going through their interview process before I finalize my decision. You will be hearing from me very soon,” I declared with a smile and stood.
I hoped that my skepticism about hiring Thérèse didn’t show through my smile or my attitude. It was genuinely a pleasure seeing her again, but I was nervous about moving in her direction. I didn’t want to draw the same energy I had escaped from. Leaving Seasoned behind also meant leaving everyone affiliated with that place behind.
Yet, Thérèse was extremely talented, super smart, kind, and she often radiated positive energy in most situations in the past.
When I reached my hand out to shake hers, she pulled me into a big hug instead.
When she released me, she smiled and looked at Palmer and then back at me. “Thank you both for your time today. I hope that I will be hearing good news from you soon and will become a part of your growing family. If not, Tegan, I still wish you all the best.”
I nodded and smiled and walked her to the door. When I returned, Palmer wore a hesitant smile of her own that displayed her teeth.
“I’m skeptical, and as much as I adored Thérèse in the past, I don’t want to bring the Seasoned energy into this space.”
“I didn’t get negative energy from her, friend. I think you might be scarred from your past with them and trusting them, but you’ll have to make your own decision.”
She was right. I knew that I needed to pray on it before making a decision about Thérèse.
2
HARLEM STERLING KNOX
SHOP TALK
The low hum of hair dryers and the buzz of clippers filled the air during the silence whenever there was a lull in the conversation. The smell of chemicals, hair, and aftershave mingled, speaking of late nights on the prowl in the lounges, cigars, bourbon, and asses shaking at The Smoke Hour, stolen time in a hotel room, and girlfriends giggling over tropical drinks about a shared secret. It was Friday night, the busiest night of the week in Knox’s Cutz & Stylez.
This was a place that some loved to call home, and I took pride in that. It was important to me that my staff and clientele alike felt comfortable enough to be themselves, talk about controversial topics, or just kick the bobo.
“Nigga, she dumped your ass because you couldn’t keep a job,” Isaac Flowers, my head barber, proclaimed to another barber, Monte James.
“I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about, Isaac. I’m stable as a muthafucka; I’ve been working here for a while.”
Everyone laughed. “What do you call a while, Monte?” Raquel “Raque” Shaw, my lead hairstylist, asked.
“I’ve been here eight months,” Monte replied.
“How long were you at the job before that?” Josiah Poach, another barber, asked.
