There Goes The Baker | Milo & Wendy

[WENDY LILAH DARLING]

Wendy Darling stopped into the general store early that morning before running off to a town hall meeting. Between her two jobs, she stayed quite busy. She walked into the store and over to the corner which housed the bakery. Everything was made fresh everyday, or so the sign boasted, she believed it though. The young woman pulled a bagel out of the glass case and slid it into a paper bag. She then went over to the cafe area and ordered a coffee, just a simple, black coffee. The morning was quiet, so quiet. Kids were at school, most others were at work, there were a few cars driving down the street outside the shop, but not many were currently browsing the shelves; and, those that were, seemed to be half asleep zombies. Wendy loved the morning. She loved the night too. She loved being awake, she hated having to go to bed, going to bed meant having to wake up a day older the next morning. Everyday the day just slipped by, another day she'd never see again. 

As Wendy waited for her coffee to be poured, she glanced around the store, at least the part of it which she could see. That included the front door, and she gave a smile when she saw a familiar person enter. Most people in the town were at least familiar, it wasn't that big, but Milo was a little more familiar, they had gone to school together. He was just a little older than she. "Good morning, stranger." she greeted him. 

MILO JAMES THATCH

[MILO JAMES THATCH]

WENDY LILAH DARLING

The trek from the lighthouse into town was always lengthy, Milo convincing himself that it was the best way to keep himself active and not seeming like a complete recluse. Living out on the point of the island, and in a lighthouse to boot, didn’t help him much with his interactions with the other locals. Occasionally one would stroll by in the early morning on the beach, and he would offer a wave or brief conversation. But that was basically it. His fill of human interaction came during these trips into town, where he made food runs or basic supplies for his studies – paper, pens, drawing charcoals (which were necessary despite his horrible artistic talents), and everything else in between. All of these things would be shoved deep into his giant hiking backpack, which right now was light as a feather, but in the matter of a few hours, would weigh him down completely as he did the reverse of his current trek.

Getting an early start, Milo was on his way, making good time and managing to get onto the main town drag about an hour after the general store was due to open. He liked being there when very few other people were, only because it gave him the maximum amount of time to peruse the aisles without much interference. Half-jogging across the street and through the front door of Oaken’s General Store, Milo stepped all the way inside, and the waterfall jingle of the bell above the door indicating his presence there.

He was greeted by a familiar voice, Wendy’s, he realized, as his eyes adjusted to the light inside the store and saw her standing a few feet away. “Morning, Wendy,” he returned the greeting. “Wonderful morning as usual, isn’t it?” Milo commented, glancing briefly over his shoulder and out the window. Perfect weather, actually. Like always.

[WENDY LILAH DARLING]

"Yes, lovely. A great day for an adventure out. Too bad I'm stuck in a meeting for the best parts of it." she said with a small shrug. Milo acknowledged her and greeted her like she had expected him too. Milo wasn't a person whom she saw often, but he was also good for a quick chat when she spotted him out and about. Wendy however was always out. if she wasn't in a meeting or with on of the families she worked for, of course. She hated being home and loved adventure, so she loved walking around, popping into shops, and greeting the locals whom she had grown up with.  "Fancy seeing you here today. Come to town for supplies?" she asked, half teasingly. She knew, of course, that Milo lived in a light house and mostly kept to himself. Sometimes, she didn't blame him, however, she knew that she was way too social and outgoing to be able to do that. She'd get cabin fever too quickly and probably take up running just to get out. Wendy took her coffee from the counter as the barista set it out and began fixing it up with her usual cream and sugar combination. 

MILO JAMES THATCH