The Magical door
Kerry secures a date for his older brother with his cookie maker teacher.
“You opened the door for her.” Kerry’s wide eyes bore into his elder brother on the other side of the counter. Since their father died three years earlier, Oliver kept it shut. Their shop bore the brunt.
But last night, the ten-year-old saw it slightly open. His brother was in an Indian market, haggling for prices of cinnamon powder.
Oliver avoided his brother’s eyes as he wiped down the jars of spices. The younger one chuckled and zipped up his bag, still smiling at his elder’s blush.
“You don’t even let me go inside.” Kerry was not allowed to use the door till he mastered his emotions, lest he wound up somewhere and lose the door in his excitement.
The bell inside Macellum shop jingled, saving Oliver from telling him off. Ms. Mia entered the shop. With a large shopper in one hand and a box of cookies in another. She headed straight to the counter.
“Hello, Oliver!” she placed the box of goodies in front of the man and her bag on the ground before turning to Kerry, “Hey, kiddo! Ready for school?”
“Yes, Ma’am!” He gave her an enthusiastic salute. He motioned with a cheeky grin to the box, “May I?”
She took a cookie out to give it to him, “I made your favorite today. Orange ones.” Kerry didn’t know, but Oliver went to Nagpur to get the best oranges for Mia. Apparently, they were for his brother, too.
He took it happily from her, gobbling the cookie down with his glass of milk on the table as Oliver talked to his pretty school teacher.
“Did you get the cinnamon I asked for?”
“Oh yes! He got it last night!” Kerry said from behind her, winking at Oliver behind Mia’s back.
“The delivery came late.” He took out the brown paper with pure powder. He quickly hid it from her. Damm it! The shopkeeper had packed it in a Hindi language newspaper. Oliver transferred it in a wooden box for her. He shivered slightly at the touch of her fingers as she took the small box from him.
She smelled the box, and a satisfied smile took over her face, “I don’t know how you get your hands on these things,” she carefully put it in her bag, “but they make for best cookies.”
“It is you that makes them good.” He scratched the back of his neck and ran his hand over the counter, wiping imaginary dust with the other. He skillfully ignored his devil of a brother. Kerry was shaking his head, disappointed at Oliver’s lack of flirting skills.
She pursed her lips together to stop another smile from breaking out. The young owner of the grocery shop was just too cute for his own good, “Thank you. How much do I owe you?” she took out her purse as he started piling up the cookies on the stand.
“I will adjust it in the accounts.” They had been doing this for six months now. She brought her famous cookies to be sold at their shop after Kerry had pestered her for months. Earlier, she only used to bake for her favorite student and sometimes his cute brother. But the kid wanted her to sell them in their shop. She agreed to keep his heart, not to get a glimpse of Oliver daily if anyone asked.
“But you never do.” Oliver gave her the profits at the end of every week. She still insisted she pay for the ingredients she requested from him. He always said he would adjust it in the accounts but never did. And they fought like a lovesick couple, in Kerry’s humble opinion.
Their back and forth continued while Kerry sneaked another cookie off the stand. He prided himself on introducing their town to this gem. They were a sensation. They always sold out before he came back from school. He had seen more than three fights break out between gym buddies, book club ladies, and army veterans over the sugary delights.
By the time he finished his third, Ms. Mia was shaking her head with a smile and putting her purse back, “It’s just not fair. I am sure they cost a lot.”
“The customers your cookies bring more than make up for it.” Oliver smacked away Kerry’s hand, inching towards another cookie, earning a pout in return.
“Yes. We will like to thank you properly.” Kerry directed his attention towards his teacher.
“Yes. I will. I mean we…we would like to thank you.” Oliver stumbled over his words, making Kerry sigh. As their supply of world-class ingredients stopped, the footfall to the shop decreased. And she had helped them in more ways than one in getting the customers. So, a proper thanks was in order.
“There is no need.” She shook her head in denial.
“I insist.” Kerry put her little foot down.
She bent to look at him with a teasing glint in her eyes, “Do you? How would you like to thank me?”
He made a motion of tapping his chin, “Well, considering I would be busy with my homework after school,”
She nodded her head in complete understanding, “Of course.”
“and then I also have my bedtime at seven sharp.” Oliver’s eyebrows rose high. The little rascal had to be dragged to bed every night, even after ten, “So I would not be able to do that. But I volunteer my brother. He would take you out for dinner tomorrow night.” Kerry smiled. It was the only possible solution to their dilemma.
“Kerry.” His older brother screeched from behind the counter. He got an innocent look in return as Mia burst out in laughter. She ruffled his hair and stood straight, picking up her bag.
“I mean, I would love to. But. If you don’t mind. There is no pressure at all. If you are free, I mean…”
“I would love to.” Mia put an end to his rambling. She feared he would stop breathing with the way he kept speaking in a breath.
“I will pick you up at seven. After the babysitter puts him to bed, of course.” Oliver gave a pointed look to Kerry, who was scrunching his nose at the idea that he needed one.
“Okay. Come on, Kerry. We are getting late for school.” She turned around after giving Oliver a shy smile, “Can you get me some nutmeg? I can make your favorite Nutella ones.” She asked over her shoulder. She preferred making her own spread.
“Sure.”
Kerry followed her out. He only realized he had forgotten his bag after they crossed the street. He ran back to fetch it, “So, I guess you will go to Indonesia tonight. Can I come too?
“No.” Oliver deadpanned.
“Never hurts to try.” Kerry shrugged and walked out, whistling an Indian tune.
If you like this story, let me know by clicking on the ❤️. Based on Writing Prompt #4 by Nicole Rivera. I highly suggest you check out her page Stop Writing Alone.
First part of the Valentine series. Subscribe if you don’t want to miss out on their love story and of course the antics of our lovely Keb.