Tarlos:An Epic Love Story
Chapter 1: The bakery
"Hey Tk, you're up next!" Owen called from the kitchen. The sound of sizzling eggs and spattering bacon filled the air as Tk stumbled into the kitchen, his eyes half-closed and his hair sticking up in every direction.
Tk yawned, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. He'd only been in Austin for a week, but the heat was already waking him up earlier than he was used to. "What's the plan?" he asked, pouring himself a cup of coffee that was stronger than he liked.
Owen handed him an apron. "We're expecting a special guest today. Carlos Reyes is coming in to pick up a cake for his mom's birthday. He's a regular, so try to be friendly."
Tk nodded, tying the apron around his waist as he stepped behind the counter. The bell above the door jingled, signaling a customer's arrival. A tall, weather-beaten man with a friendly smile walked in, a three-year-old boy in tow. The boy looked at the display of cakes with wide eyes, his chubby fingers smearing the glass.
"Morning, Owen," Carlos said, his voice warm and familiar. "This is my boy, Waylon."
Waylon shyly waved at Tk, who offered a tentative smile in return. "Nice to meet you, Waylon," he said, glancing at the order slip. "Looks like we have a chocolate fudge cake with raspberry filling waiting for your mom."
Owen emerged from the kitchen, a beautifully decorated cake in his hands. "Here she is," he said, placing it on the counter with a flourish.
Carlos's eyes lit up. "Perfect. She's gonna love it."
As Carlos paid, Tk couldn't help but feel a twinge of curiosity about the man and his young son. He'd never seen them before, despite Owen's mention of his regularity. The farmer's rough hands and the boy's innocent wonderment painted a stark contrast against the urban backdrop of the bustling bakery.
"You guys from around here?" Tk asked, hoping to start a conversation.
"Yeah, not too far. Got a small farm out west of the city," Carlos replied, tucking the change into his pocket.
"It's hot out there today," Owen added, peering out the window. "You'd think it's July, not May."
"Tell me about it," Carlos said with a laugh. "We're already preparing for the summer harvest."
The conversation grew more animated as they discussed the unpredictable Texas weather and the challenges of farming. Tk felt a strange kinship with the man, despite their vastly different upbringings.
As they talked, Tk noticed that the boy hadn't stopped staring at the cake, his little hand reaching out to touch it every so often. "You like chocolate, Waylon?"
Waylon nodded fervently, his eyes never leaving the cake.
"How about a taste?" Owen suggested cutting a small slice and placing it on a plate.
The boy's face lit up as he took a bite, his eyes closing in delight. "It's his favorite," Carlos said with a proud smile.
The interaction was interrupted by the sound of a phone ringing. Owen excused himself to take the call, leaving Tk and the Reyes to finish their conversation. Tk felt a sudden urge to ask Carlos about his life, about the farm, about anything to keep the moment from ending. But before he could, Owen returned, a look of urgency etched on his face.
"I've gotta go. Something's come up at the house," he told Tk. "You can handle the rest of the morning, right?"
Tk nodded, his mind racing. He'd never been left in charge of the bakery before. "Sure," he said, trying to sound more confident than he felt.
"Thanks, buddy," Owen said, slapping him on the shoulder before rushing out the door.
Tk looked around the bakery, his heart thumping in his chest. Customers trickled in, the smell of fresh bread and coffee swirling around him. He took a deep breath, reminding himself that he'd learned a lot in the short time he'd been working here. "You got this," he murmured to himself, and turned to Reyes.
"Well, Tk," Carlos said, "I'd better let you get back to work." He picked up the cake box. "Thank you for the taste, and tell Owen it's as delicious as always."
"You're welcome," Tk said, his mind still racing with questions about the farm. "If you don't mind me asking, what do you guys grow out there?"
"Everything," Carlos said with a wink. "But we're best known for our peaches. Nothing beats a Texas summer peach, fresh from the orchard."
Tk couldn't help but imagine the rows of fruit trees, the smell of sweet peaches heavy in the air. It sounded like a world away from the gritty streets he'd known in their old neighborhood. "Maybe I could come out and see it sometime?" he ventured, hoping he wasn't overstepping.
To his surprise, Carlos nodded. "You'd be welcome. It's good to know the folks who enjoy our hard work." He handed Tk a card with the farm's name and number. "Give me a call when you're free. We can set something up."
After they left, Tk studied the card, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. He'd never been to a real farm before. The closest he'd come was the community garden back home, and that was more for show than actual produce. But the idea of leaving the city, even for a day, was exhilarating. The rest of the morning passed in a blur of customers and kitchen chaos. Tk managed to keep up, though he was grateful when the lunch rush died down. As he was about to take his first real break, the bell jingled again. In walked a young woman, her cheeks flushed from the heat. She was petite with a head of fiery red hair tied back in a messy bun.
"You must be Tk," she said, extending a hand. "I'm Marisol, a friend of your dad's. He called, said he had an emergency and needed me to cover for you."