Market Day Mayhem
Chapter 14
You are reading The Misadventures of Endora Pan, a romantic comedy exploring the unpredictable nature of love and the chaos of everyday life. Set in the world of a young Taiwanese-American woman, this story delves into themes of self-discovery, cultural identity, and finding connection in unexpected places. Written in a witty, self-aware style, this novel is for readers looking for a light-hearted yet emotional read.
Friday arrived, and with it the end of Endora’s break from life at her bestie’s house. Leaving large containers of food in Tiffany’s fridge, and hugging her and the children goodbye, she drove back to Chino Hills with a lighter heart than she had left it days before. Friday night fellowship, then leading her Saturday morning high school small group, followed by whatever social activities she’s filled her schedule with ensured packed weekends (we don’t talk about Sundays). Any good Asian-American Christian knows the road to working out your salvation is being as involved with church ministry as possible.
But first, thought Endora, more baking.
The restored chocolate had been put to good use in Tiffany’s kitchen with that double oven she’d never have need of herself. In the same ice chest she’d brought with her, she carted back her signature chocolate-toffee cookies (Tiffany’s favorite and indeed, invented by her), miso dulcey chocolate (Reader, you think it sounds like a strange flavor combination, but I assure you it is delicious), lavender Earl Grey, and matcha strawberry & white chocolate cookies.
Oh goodness, this almost-omniscient narrator’s mouth is already drooling over Endora’s bakes.
She had a pop-up market to prepare for, though. Handing off small group to her co-leader, Endora woke at the ungodliest of hours Saturday morning to start prepping for the sale at Dari Market. This pop-up Asian-focused market was one she had begun selling her baked goods at a few months before.
You, reader, are already acquainted with the years of nagging Tiffany had to do to convince her to start a shop.
After Cathy’s 100 tarts debacle—which Endora would attribute to God’s providence, as our devoted protagonist is wont to do—Endora began an online shop via good, old-fashioned—Instagram. With an eye for aesthetics and armed with her trusty iPhone camera, she started a cookie baking and delivery service. Her reputation for stellar customer service (helped, no doubt, by her HR training) and never skimping on ingredients, quickly spread Endora’s name into the households in general vicinity.
Of course, an in-person market is a whole different beast.
“I don’t know if I ever want to open a real shop,” she said to Cathy during the application process. “Business licenses, food licenses, inspections—it’s so much to keep up with!”
Cathy patted her shoulder sympathetically. “That’s okay. You can always do 100 fruit tarts for engagement parties.”
“But first more baking,” meant tray bakes—another speciality of Endora’s. Her previously mentioned cherry brown butter bars must, of course, make an appearance. She’d also created pandan strawberry mochi bars, which she’d experimented with upon her all-too-willing friends. This was one of many times Tiffany bemoaned the fact that she did not live closer to be one of Endora’s guinea pigs.
Still, Tiffany would not be missing her best friend’s pop-up market. They may have only parted the day before, but an hour and a half’s drive was nothing. When Tiffany requested babysitting from her parents, her mom expressed characteristic surprise: “But she was just here! What do you mean you’re going up to visit her?”
This sort of remark from Endora and Tiffany’s mothers isn’t uncommon, the narrator would like to comment. When the twain were in college, Endora’s mom sat her down seriously and asked whether or not she was a lesbian.
Ah, I digress. Apologies.
Endora put on the finishing touches of her makeup, at which moment her phone rang. If she had been the swearing kind, she’d possibly have let out a choice expletive then.
“Hello?”
“Yes, is this Endora Pan?”
Great, a telemarketer? A work call on Saturday? She didn’t let out a sigh, but assumed her best HR voice as she headed downstairs and started trying to set her baked goods into the coolers. “Hi! This is Endora speaking. How can I help you?”
Silence.
“Uh, I got your number from my coworker, Sam. I think she’s an old friend of yours.”
“Wait, oh,” Endora paused. Sam? College fellowship Sam? Her hamster wheels, so inundated with bake schedules and how long set-up was going to take, started turning again. “Sam! Oh, you! Right she did tell me.”
“Sorry, is this a bad time? I can call back later.”
Now that she was paying attention, the voice on the other end sounded deep, a little hesitant—strangely familiar.
Endora couldn’t be worrying about blind dates that would more than likely end in catastrophe when she had a market to worry about. It would be a long day as it was. “Actually, yeah. I have a pop-up market today and—” her hamster wheels turned faster. She could kill two birds with one stone. She could get the thing over with and not have to trouble herself with setting up another date later. “Hey, if you’re free later this afternoon and want to come, I’ll be selling cookies at Dari Market.”
The voice brightened. “Yeah, I’m free. Thanks for the invite. I’ll see you there.”
“Great. It’s the Blessed & Baked stand.”
She didn’t realise until after they hung up that she hadn’t asked for the guy’s name.