At three in the morning, Lottie’s hand shook with trepidation as she fumbled the key into the lock of Main Street’s newest bakery. After months of list-making, recipe testing, and marketing, today marked the start of Dough & Co.’s life; it’s survival tied directly to her own. She expected to hear a symphony of motivational music, like in the movies, but instead she heard only the clatter of keys falling to the counter. Sighing, her heart thought of Zac, who should have been here, but with a deep, purposeful inhalation, she exhaled her emotions away. Tears did not have a place in her recipes today. Lottie began mixing the doughs for her baguettes, ciabatta, and sourdough boules. Despite the expensive commercial mixer, the rhythmic kneading was necessary to satisfy her control and keep those pesky emotions in check. Fold, push, twist. Her thoughts wandered back, as they always did - Zac should be here. Fold, push, twist. He started her on this path, anyway. He asked her to make Christmas cookies for his coworker, but failed to tell her that he charged them. He gifted her the profits on Christmas morning to prove a point: she was good enough. Fold, push, twist. Once she stopped standing in her own way, the doors seemed to open on their own. She convinced investors easily: Zac arranged the meetings and simply put out her products as snacks. Local businesses reached out to buy her breads for their shops, she would be the first local bakery after all. Fold, push, twist. Even this building presented itself to her, well to Zac. This was the thought she wanted to avoid, but it appeared every time she opened the door. Not now, she thought, and diverted her attention to the bread at hand; there was too much left to do. Lottie kneaded and proved her breads, then jumped into her cookies before going back to shape and score the loaves. By the time she finished all of the prep, it was 7:30; she had only another 30 minutes to get the store ready for its opening day. But a knock on the back door diverted her attention again, and she opened it to find Cesca from Cessie’s Cafe. “Morning, Lottie! My customers have been looking forward to these rolls for some time now. You do such a great job with them. Good luck on your opening day! We’re rooting for you. You deserve it after everything you’ve had to endure. Just know we’re all thinking about you and Z-“ “Thank you so much, Cassie,” Lottie replies hurriedly and sent her out. While Cessie was a sweetheart - she really leaned into her new grandma vibe - she didn’t always know her audience. Lottie simply wanted to make it through today. And make it through she did. The evening news arrived towards closing time, seeking satisfied customers to share their experiences. But really they wanted a glimpse at Lottie. “Hi there Lottie, I’m Rebecca Tinton from channel 4 news. What can you tell me about your first day?” Her opening day truly couldn’t have gone better. The line out the door seemed to never end. She could have hired more help, of course, but she knew she had to do this day solo, and no one complained once. “Wow, um,” Lottie stammered, “it’s been overwhelming actually, in the best way! She sold out of sourdough, chocolate chip cookies, and Linzers. Everyone has been so sweet and supportive, and I’m truly amazed.” “Let me the first to wish you a big congratulations on such a successful day! For those of you who don’t know,” Rebecca spike directly into the camera again, “Dough & Co. was originally supposed to open two months ago, but after a tragic fire took the life of her co-owner, Zac Dodson, the opening was postponed. Lottie, what do you think Zac would say to you if he were here today?” “Um,” Lottie felt her heart race and her throat swell before she could answer, “I think he’d say that he’s really proud,” Lottie felt the tears well, so she nodded her head to conclude her thought. “Well, just know we’re all rooting for you, Lottie. Be sure to check out Dough & Co. tomorrow for all your bakery needs. Back to you in the studio, Rob.” Lottie returned to the bakery, locking the door behind her, ready to lean into the impending breakdown. But instead she found her mother behind the counter, bottle of champagne in hand. “You did great today, Lottie. We’re all so proud of you!” “Thanks, Mom.” “I know it was a tough day, but I think we should celebrate your success.” “How am I supposed to celebrate anything without Zac?” Lottie finally let her breakdown ensue. “He would want you to move forward with this. You can grieve and celebrate at the same time. Here,” she handed Lottie some champagne, “to Zac, his crazy ideas that actually worked, and the beginning of your new chapter!” With a clink, Lottie looked forward to tomorrow.