Diary of a Hopeful Starving Student's Open Salon Blog

"You are delightful."

Thu, 31 May 2012 18:05:35 -0400

"Don't worry about what Jemma said. She's just not comfortable around babies," Hope says.

Hope holds Isaiah closer as he smiles.

"You are delightful. You really are," Hope whispers.

Isaiah laughs as Hope swaddles him in his sea foam green blanket and makes sure he's comfortable for their long walk.

Hope loads the fully packed diaper bag below and gets Isaiah settled into his Silver Cross pram, and then grabs Joy's keys before pulling the back door closed.

"We have work to do today, Isaiah, and some very important people to meet. Oakey dokey, artichokey?" Hope says as she smiles.

Isaiah looks right at Hope and smiles too as they begin their trek into town.

"What's not to like?"

Tue, 29 May 2012 20:05:06 -0400

"Would you take some of these tarts with you and give them to Joy?" Jemma says as she picks up a tray with the pecan tarts.

"Jemma, I can't," Hope starts to explain.

"Why not? Is it because you've got that baby with you?" Jemma says.

"No, it's not because of Isaiah. It's just that Joy doesn't really..."

"What? Just say it. She doesn't like me. Does she?" Jemma says as her face starts to flush.

The tray of tarts clatters as it hits the counter.

"That's not it. It's just that Joy doesn't like pastry," Hope says as she takes a step back.

"Not like pastry. How could anyone not like pastry? Better yet how could anyone not like my pastry? What's not to like?" Jemma says as she shakes her head.

Don't Tell

Fri, 25 May 2012 20:05:57 -0400

When Hope and Isaiah arrive back at the carriage house, they find Jemma still baking full throttle.

"Oh, you brought him with you," Jemma says.

"Isaiah and I are spending the day together," Hope says.

"But not here, right?" Jemma says as she puts both hands on her hips.

"No, we're about to go for a nice long walk," Hope says.

"Good. Because I'm really not wild about babies. Or children in general for that matter. Oh, but don't tell Matthew. OK?" Joy says.

"I'm sure he won't ask about it so I won't say a word," Hope says.

I don't have to. I think Matthew figured that out all by himself.

Total Tarts

Wed, 23 May 2012 19:05:23 -0400

Joy jump starts her day by running on her treadmill as Isaiah watches from a cozy spot nearby on his blanket as he kicks at the toys on his own personal gym.

When Hope arrives the workout partners are delighted, and Isaiah reaches both arms out toward Hope so that she can pick him up. Hope scoops up Isaiah and gives him several kisses atop his head.

Isaiah laughs and snuggles into the crook of her left arm and looks up at Hope. They are both smiling at one another as they continue to bond.

"Hope, I have all of these appointments today. Would you be able to stay with him?" Joy asks.

"Of course, I'd love to spend more time with Isaiah," Hope says.

"Great. And I was thinking that if your friend Jemma is going to stay, then I really want you to stay too. You can't say no. In fact, I'll need you to stay to keep her from driving me mad. I woke up and could smell the pastry all the way from the carriage house this morning. What is she doing?" Joy says.

"She's testing some recipes for a new business venture. She wants to sell her pastry at a little cart right near campus," Hope says.

"Seriously?" Joy asks as she shakes her head vigorously.

"Yes, she says she wants to call it the Tart Cart," Hope says as she starts to smile.

"How about the Total Tart Cart? Or just Total Tarts?" Joys says as she starts to laugh.

Inspired

Mon, 21 May 2012 17:05:02 -0400

"I was inspired when Joy mentioned the tarts last night. Then I got this great idea," Jemma says.

Hope smiles, and nods and stands just to the side of the breakfast nook. She takes a good look around the kitchen from one tray of tarts to another, and then focuses on Jemma to get a good read on her.

"So I thought if those folks at Flirty Cupcakes could do it, then I could too," Jemma says.

"Do what exactly?" Hope says, as she takes note of the streak of flour in Jemma's long blonde hair.

"Follow my dreams too," Jemma says, her eyes glowing nearly as much as the blowtorch had been moments ago.

Hope smiles and nods again and does a quick count of the trays of tarts in the kitchen and breakfast nook. It's like a tidal wave of tarts.

"But I don't want to have a big operation. I thought I'd start out small and work my way up. With a cart and sell the pastry near campus," Jemma says, her smile growing by the moment.

Hope just nods again.

"And I picked a name for my new business too. I'm going to call it the Tart Cart," Jemma says.

Hope chuckles and shakes her head just a bit.

Oh. My. Tarts.