Chapter 40: The Bakery’s Saved

The night ended and the morning came. Faye served customers coffee and donuts all morning for a set price with 90% of the cost going to a last ditch attempt to keep the bakery running. When the time arrived for the bank to open, the big four all loaded up in Arthur’s car with all of the various contributions packed safely inside. Some volunteers followed along with several dozen full giving jars to take to the bank; others stayed behind to run the bakery.

“I’m nervous for her,” Rachel whispered to Arthur as they got out of the car.

“We all are, Rachel. We all are. It’s in God’s hands now,” he responded, moving quickly to help his grandma out of the back seat of his car while Rachel did the same for Faye.

They went into the bank together for moral support with arms interlocked forming a human wall of “victory and success”, their new mantra and community marketing campaign. Faye’s contact at the bank sent security guards with carts out to gather all of the contributions so they could be properly counted. Once the bank had all of the money, the big four were shown to a conference room where they waited for the total of all the funds from their online platforms and grassroots sources.

Beatrice tried to lighten the mood. “It must be good news. They would’ve been back by now if they didn’t have enough to count.”

Everyone responded with anxious grins.

The bank manager came into the conference room several minutes later. “Faye, thank you so much for your patience this mornin and for the remarkable work you and your associates have been doing to save the bakery. This morning we counted the funds that you supplied and we are happy to say that the bakery can stay open!”

“But wait, I did not meet my goal,” Faye said, wondering if this was someone’s idea of a cruel joke. “We counted last night and only reached 50% of what we needed.”

The bank manager explained, “Technically that was on Sunday, the weekend, and the letter we sent you clearly stated that you had until noon today, Monday, the first business day of the next month, to satisfy the balance due on your small business loan. I am proud to say that you exceeded it.”

He continued, “The online portion of your fundraising was used significantly at nine a.m. by an anonymous donor of the remainder that was needed. Plus, by meeting your goal in advance of the deadline, we are going to extend you the opportunity to buy the bakery’s land and building from the bank within 90 days by extending you a line of credit to maximize the potential of this year’s small business of the year: the bakery in Clovelly. If you continue to do as well as you have been doing lately, you should have no trouble reaching that new goal, if, that is, you so desire. Again, congratulations. My wife simply loves the blueberry scones you make.”

The big four returned to the bakery to make the announcement onsite and online. All of those who had been involved with the project were excited to hear the good news. Faye tried to think of who could have made such a contribution that was so big and so timely. But she was mostly grateful.

Arthur was suspicious, however. Although his thorough research and work with the databases showed him the wealthy in the parish, none of the people on his list were financially well enough off to contribute that much that fast or as liquid funds to give or pledge a lump sum of that amount.

Once things calmed down, Arthur searched for Rachel and found her pouring coffee and serving donuts to what felt like hundreds of customers that glorious day.

“Rachel, isn’t it amazing that all of your organizing and hard work with the help of the divine resulted in a win for Faye and the Clovelly community? The miracle at the end was an unforeseeable piece of luck.”

“Yes, I guess it was. It all definitely worked out in the end, and that’s what counts, right?”

“I think about your inspired and passionate speech last night. You certainly gave us hope when everyone was feeling low with disappointment...you included, or so it seemed.”

“I just did what any other assistant manager would have done. I did not give up on our supporters, volunteers, or our leader. And I tried to get them to do likewise. If holding a torch until we were victorious was not needed, then what should I have done instead?”

“But I think you did a little more than that.”

“What are you getting at, Arthur? No more beating around the bush.”

“Do you know who gave the money? Be honest with me and tell me if you know,” he accosted her. From Rachel’s point of view, the old Arthur with his rudeness and interrogation was back and making an unexpected and unwelcome appearance in the midst of the joy everyone there was experiencing.

“I don’t know anyone here with access to that much money to donate as a no strings attached, monetary gift. Maybe it is one of the ‘new investors’ you spent your time researching and courting. Maybe they came through at the last hour,” Rachel snapped back at him.

“Or maybe...”

“Yes?”

“Or maybe it was you!”

“Arthur, come on, now. You can be so rational; why abandon that skill right now? I’m no millionaire. If I had that kind of money, would I live in a rented room and work in food service for minimum wage? You’re losing your touch, Counselor,” she joked, pretending she was not worried deep down inside and not paying attention to the consequences. "Do me a favor and let me know when you solve the mystery. I’m going to get some more coffee and fresh, hot donuts before we run out,” Rachel said.

She was not completely lying. No, she was not a millionaire; but, her mother and father were billionaires. And it was true. If she told Faye privately that she had made the donation somewhere in the near future, she wanted Faye to see her as an investor and co-manager. Rachel had proven that she could take on more and handle more.

She could not afford to let Arthur get too close right now and put the spotlight on her and the money. She took her hot glazed donut and black coffee and mingled with the eclectic mix of new and long-time, loyal customers and volunteers that were quickly filling up the bakery.

Word was also circulating that Faye was going to throw a huge party for the entire parish to celebrate. She’d need her Assistant Manager to set things up and get the word out. Rachel looked forward to returning to running things from behind the scenes, and helping out when, where, and as needed. And sometimes, anonymity was part of that professional role.