Shattered Ice

Ice was scattered across the floor, shattered in pieces. The table where the cake sat was turned over on its side. A few chairs knocked over and out of place. The streamers and ribbons were hanging skewed and falling down. The barn was empty now but a few hours prior it was filled with laughter. People rushed out as soon as the commotion started including Maddie and Chase. Maddie looked around at the mess; today was suppose to be fun and one for the memory books but then it happened…

The day before…

Chase finished putting up the bookcase for Kay when Fred walked in her store with donuts and coffee. It had been a couple of weeks since Fred and his former friend, Frank, took Maddie and tried to see what was in the barn. Fred took a plea deal and Frank was in jail. As part of his deal Fred had to help Kay at her store and he returned her bull figures, which she sold, so she was updating her store a little bit. Fred wasn’t too good with building or putting things together so Kay called in Chase. Chase still didn’t like the fact Fred was still in town or the fact he kept going to Maddie’s to get breakfast but he put it aside. Maddie was ready to move past it so he dealt with it.

“Coffee? Maddie said this is what you usually got.” Fred said handing a cup to Chase.

“Thanks,” he replied taking a sip, “All done here Kay. Is there anything else you need help with?”

“Not right now.” Kay said. So Chase finished packing up his tools and left heading towards his hardware store. There was a black truck outside of the store, a man was sitting inside. Chase unlocked the door and headed inside flipping the close sign to open. The man from the truck walked inside as Chase was putting his toolbox behind the counter.

“Hey is Ken around?” The man asked.

“He retired. I’m Chase his grandson. Can I help you with anything?”

“Can you point me to where he lives? He and my dad were friends when we lived here and I have something for him.”

“Let me see what he is doing. What’s your name?”

“Mike, my dad was Michael Sr.” He said looking around while Chase made a phone call.

Chase called his Grandpa and watched the man look around. Strange having another stranger show up now but that is why Chase was calling his Grandpa to see if this Mike was ok. His Grandpa answered on the third ring and they talked about the man in the store, according to Grampa Ken Michael Sr was his friend and he also said he remembered Mike. Hanging up the phone Chase gave Mike Ken’s address and went back behind the counter. Before he walked out Mike turned and asked Chase a question.

“Is Nana’s Bakery still opened?”

“Yeah it’s…”

“Thanks.” Mike said leaving.

Mike walked to his truck and got in. It was weird being back here in this town but his dad passed away and his will left instructions to deliver boxes to certain people in this town. Mike’s first stop was Ken, his dad’s best friend. He figured while he was here he could check on his old love. So he headed to Nana’s Bakery, hoping she was still there. It was a short drive, just a block over; he parked his truck in front of the door. He got out and went inside, he saw a young woman behind the counter. She looked up and smiled at him, Mike walked right back out the door and headed to Ken’s.

“Who was at the door?” Maddie asked her sister Nikki.

“Some guy, he walked in looked at me and walked right back out.” Nikki replied.

“Didn’t say or ask for anything?”

“Nope.”

“Ok. Weird. Alright well I’m gonna get started on this frozen pond cake.”

“What exactly is a frozen pond cake? Or do you mean frozen pound cake?” Nikki asked leaning against the door that leads to the kitchen.

“You heard right, its pond. Basically it’s a regular cake but the top is going to look like a frozen pond and when the cake it cut fish candies are in the middle. The sides are going to look like water too.”

“Who would order something like that?”

“It’s for an event Kay is hosting tomorrow at the barn. Since we don’t have frozen ponds around here she is making her own in cake form. Oh and decorations. Guess it’s supposed to be like a frozen fishing thing but I kind of got lost as to why she is hosting it.”

“It’s Kay, who knows? Don’t forget I gotta go help Emily at eleven for the lunch rush at the diner.” Nikki said walking back out to the counter.

Maddie took the cakes out the oven and placed them on the cooling rack when the door chimed. Nikki was at the diner helping Emily so Maddie walked to the front. In walked her husband Chase, they got married a few weeks ago and the word still sounded funny.

“I brought you some lunch.” He said walking up to her and giving her a hug and kiss.

“Oh I didn’t realize it was lunchtime. I mean Nikki went to go help at the diner but… anyways thanks hubby.” She said grinning.

“I don’t get tired of hearing that” he replied kissing her again. They sat down in the back and started eating when the door chimed again. Maddie got up to see who it was.

“How can I help you?” She asked the man.

“There was a different woman earlier.” He stated.

“Yes, my sister she is not here now though. Can I help you?”

“Surprised Lois isn’t here. She was always here well her and Abbie,” he said sliding his hand down the counter, “Is Abbie here then? Can’t imagine Lois selling this place to anybody, letting anyone run it or work here.”

“Sorry but no they are both gone. Can I help you with something?” Maddie forced herself to say. Who was this man and how did he know her grandmother and mother?

“Uh… don’t think so.” He said staring at her.

“Well if you aren’t going to order anything I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”

“You treat all your costumers like this?” He said leaning towards her.

“No but you aren’t buying anything. Therefore not a costumer and I’m busy so order or leave. Please.” Maddie said crossing her arms. Chase heard what was going on so he made is way up front.

“Hey hun is everything okay?” Chase asked putting his arm around Maddie.

“Sure it is. I was just making conversation before I ordered. Was just wondering how she got a job here is all.” Mike said recognizing Ken’s grandson from earlier.

“She owns it. Her Grandmother left it to her. Now are you gonna order?” Chase replied.

“Oh didn’t know Lois had any grandkids. Does that make Abbie your mom? I knew her a long time ago, we were friends so to speak… Can I get some white macadamia nut cookies?”

Maddie got the cookies without saying a word while Chase stood there watching Mike.

“Anything else for you today?” She asked.

“No. No. That will be it.” He paid for the cookies then left. Chase watched him drive off then followed Maddie back to the break room to finish lunch.

“You okay?” Chased asked a few moments later.

“Yeah, that was just weird. I mean I never met any of mom’s friends and Grandma didn’t mention him. But he knew their names and… huh… I don’t know it was just strange.”

“Maybe Kay knows. She has always been here in town and she knew your mom and grandma.”

“Yeah maybe.”

The next day Maddie closed the bakery early so she could help Kay set up for her event. Maddie also wanted to talk to Kay about that man Mike, see if she knew anything. When she arrived at the barn Kay and Fred were already there setting up the “frozen pond” on the floor. Maddie put the cake on the table next to the ice sculpture and started helping with the chairs.

“What can you tell me about that man Mike?”

“Mike Jr? He use to hang around the bakery all the time, he was sweet on your mama for a while then he left town. Came back a little while later but didn’t stick around for long, heard he went and became a rancher or something a few towns over. Why you asking about him for?” Kay said.

“He came into the bakery yesterday asking about Grandma and Mom, didn’t know they were gone or who I was. Seemed weird.”

“Don’t worry about him. Once he finishes what he’s here for he will leave.” Kay said walking away and finishing decorating.

A few hours later the fundraiser started. Emily and John took a seat in the back row; she was due any day now so she sat close to the exit. Maddie was on the stage watching people come in and take their seats.

“Welcome everyone and thanks for coming. Now I don’t know too much about this event so I’m going to go ahead and turn it over to Kay.” Maddie said then walked down from the stage to sit next to Chase. Kay begun telling everyone what and who the event was for but Maddie was distracted and wasn’t paying attention. Soon though games were being played and the cake was being cut. Out of nowhere a loud scream came from the back row. Everyone turned their heads and noticed Emily was holding her stomach screaming in pain. Chase ran to his sister’s side and John came running from the stage knocking the ice sculpture over, making it shatter. Kay ran up to the stage while Maddie helped walk Emily to the car.

“Looks like Emily is finally in labor! Oh what a blessed day!” She yelled, “Ok folks guess we will call it a night.” She said stepping off the stage. Emily and John headed to the hospital. Maddie and Chase waited until everyone left then followed.

An hour later Chase held his niece and asked, “What’s her name?”

“Cassie Marie” John replied.

“Aww such a cute name” Maddie said smiling at the baby. Chase handed the baby back to his sister and gave her a hug.

“We are going to go. Give you some rest but will be back tomorrow.” Chase said.

“Ok, bring me some chocolate donuts” Emily grinned.

So here we are, Maddie thought. Back at the barn looking at this mess, she could just wait and clean up tomorrow but there was food everywhere and she didn’t want to attract animals. Chase would be back soon with some dinner so while she waited she started cleaning. She heard a truck door but knew it wasn’t Chase. She turned around and it was that guy Mike.

“Sorry but the party is over.”

“I know came to talk to you.”

“About what?” She said putting the table in between them.

“What happened to Abbie?” He asked grabbing a chair and sitting down.

“You are supposed to be her friend, shouldn’t you know?” She snapped.

“We lost touch, kind of had a falling out. Please tell me.” He asked with sad eyes.

“Car accident when I was ten, Grandma raised me and my sister after.” Maddie replied not looking at him.

“What about your father, where was he?”

“I don’t know. Mom didn’t talk about him, neither did Gram.” She said tossing a chunk of ice into the trash.

“I… uh… I think… maybe… well I think I might be” He stammered.

“Might be what?” Maddie asked confused.

“Your Father.”