The Mysterious Woman at Billy’s Bakery
I recognized her from somewhere, with her dark curls and tentative smile…I knew I did. But she didn’t remember me at all.
Picture a warm, sunny spring weekday in New York City, more than 10 years ago. Employees, sprung from their desks with freedom and joy, headed out for afternoon coffee/cake breaks in Chelsea. I recognized the office attire — rolled shirtsleeves for men, pantsuits for women.
It was the first taste of spring, in all its beauty, balm and buzz.
I was walking uptown to the Port Authority to catch the #66 DeCamp bus back to Montclair. I had likely met a friend/colleague for lunch or attended a press event.
I am a sugar-coated-in-the-womb sweets lover, though I’ve been trying hard to change that, turn my life around and skirt my sugar intake.
Still, I can’t forget the bakery greats in New York and other cities, from Magnolia, across the street from where my friend, Donna, was a top editor at InStyle Magazine (I popped into the cupcake dreamery after our lunch) to Ladurée, the fairy-tale French mothership on Madison Avenue. On Cape Cod, Cottage Street Bakery and Hole in One Donut Shop. Up in Maine: Chase’s Daily in Belfast. At natural/healthy food stores, even in New Jersey: Mom’s Munchies, out of Freeport.
