Climbing the Hill

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Jeremy had almost made it up the steep hill. He was getting tired, but was excited and looking forward to his last stop.

He really did enjoy his job of delivering bread, to those who couldn’t leave their homes. They were always so happy to see him and thankful for his gift of bread. Delivering the bread took double the time that it should, but that’s because he always got invited inside, and how could he refuse. The majority of his customers were widows, they were lonely and his visits would brighten their week.

There was sweet, little Mary, whose silver hair had a shine to it. She always was smiling, and every time he came she had fresh chocolate cake for him, with peanut butter icing. It was one of the best cakes that Jeremy ever had tasted.

Miss. Catherine was Mary’s neighbor and she had 5 cats. A very caring lady, who had a heart for animals. Jeremy had to be quick when he opened her door to to deliver her bread. It took him forever one time to find Coal one night, after it had escaped. Coal was her black cat, and Jeremy would have never found him if it wouldn’t have been for his emerald green eyes that glowed in the dark.

Jeremy shook his head as he thought of his other customers, the Bisby twin sisters. They were as chatty as could be, but they often made him laugh. They finished each other’s sentences all the time, almost like they could read each other’s minds. The sisters always insisted that Jeremy come in and have tea with them. Jeremy wasn’t really a tea drinker, but he couldn’t tell them. Why they thought everyone loved their special recipe. Often times Jeremy wondered if it was really “tea” that he was drinking.

Honeynut bread was for Mr.Graham, he was the one man that lived on Jeremy’s route and Jeremy would often play a game of Scrabble with him when he would deliver his bread. Mr. Graham may be old, but he was still very sharp when it came to word games. He also enjoyed playing Battleship with Jeremy, and usually he won.

Tonight Jeremy had a surprise for Mr.Graham. He had baked him a special cake, for his birthday was tomorrow!

Mr.Graham’s house was at the very top of the hill, and Jeremy saw it now, he had made it!

He knocked on his door and he heard Mr.Graham’s voice.

“Come on in Jeremy!”

Jeremy walked in with a smile holding the birthday cake in his hands.

“Happy Birthday!”

Mr.Graham’s face lit up.

“You remembered my birthday!”

“Yes, and I made your favorite icing, salted caramel.”

“Oh my! How nice of you! Thank you! Now come sit down and enjoy a piece with me. Then we can play Scrabble.  It may be my birthday tomorrow and I may be over the hill, but that doesn’t mean I will let you beat me.”  he said to Jeremy.

Jeremy laughed, ” I am sure you won’t!” he said as he took a seat at the table.

He didn’t get paid any cash for delivering bread, but no price could be put on the rewards of friendship!