THE BAKER'S SECRET

About this challenge

The Prompt

Write a story that incorporates three words from the provided word search puzzle.

(Words: clan, motorcycle, lightening)

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April 1912

"Ye have two days to stow the provisions and make ready before leaving port, mates," ordered Chief Charlie.

At age thirty-one, Charlie was promoted to the chief baker position for the RMS Titanic with a complete staff under him. Having worked for White Star Line's other ships and having twenty years of experience, he was an obvious choice.

In truth, Charlie's tenacity was the reason why he was on the ship of dreams, the Titanic. Besides, Charlie had his own dreams. Immigrating to America and opening a bakery, was Charlie's dream.

*****

While small for his age, Charlie was an extremely fast runner. Without question, Charlie could run and get away from the bobbies (police) any day of the week. Street smart, Charlie used his size and speed to his advantage. As a loner, it was easier for Charlie to move about. Because he was a shy waif, he didn't have any friends.

Going to sleep without food, Charlie knew what it was like to be hungry. He survived on bread. He survived on biscuits (cookie crumbs). With the aroma of fresh bread wafting through the streets, Charlie loved the smell of the baked goods and the nourishment that they provided, making a profound and lasting impression on him.

On the grimy East London streets, being a ragamuffin, Charlie was bullied by a gang. Constantly tormented by the hardened street toughs, he was scared, terrified, and outnumbered. His street smarts and running speed were put to the test. Not paying attention to his surroundings, Charlie ran straight away into an inebriated matelot. Seeing that the seaman wasn't injured, Charlie helped him return to his ship.

Through this chance encounter, the matelot befriended Charlie. The matelot's weatherbeaten face and gruff exterior and manner didn't scare Charlie. Living on the streets of London from the age of seven, after his dad died, Charlie's step-mom kicked him out of the house. Charlie acted tough, but the old seaman saw through the pretext and instinctively knew Charlie was a good lad.

Because of Charlie's kindness and helpfulness, he joined his new mate and his matelot's crew. Charlie embarked on his first trip aboard a freighter at the tender age of eleven.

In reality, Charlie's friendship with the seaman was a turning point and a start to a new life and a new clan. The lifestyle change was definitely better than his filthy, dirty street existence.

At the beginning of Charlie's tacit apprenticeship, he worked as a helper and prepared food for the ship's crew. Soaking up everything, like a sponge, Charlie was constantly learning. As time went by, working on passenger ships, Charlie would make food for the ship's guests, discovering his purpose and his natural talent as a baker.

****

December 1956

Surprisingly, Charlies' Bakery was closed with a hand-printed sign taped to the front door. Over the years the bakery had become a gathering place for the townsfolks in the small New Jersey suburb. Charlie's custom motorcycle wasn't parked at its usual spot. Charlie's regular customers, about half the town, couldn't believe the doors to the bakery were closed and locked.

Once, only a dream, the bakery was Charlie's life. Knowing Charlie for a long time, his regular customers were not aware that the bakery almost didn't come to fruition. In fact, his regular customers were not aware that Charlie survived the sinking of the Titanic.

At the hospital, coughing and with pain in his chest, Charlie lay in bed. Surprisingly, Charlie insisted that he felt fine. However, the white pasty coloring of his skin divulged a different story.

Laying on his deathbed, Charlie reflected on his life. Recollecting, his thoughts turned to the investigation from a long time ago. Recalling, it was months after the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Beginning their inquiry, the investigators went to work questioning the survivors of the so-called 'unsinkable ship.' As a survivor, Charlie was interviewed by the investigators. Naturally, Charlie answered their quizzings.

However, there was more to his story. Charlie didn't want to disclose all the details, keeping the secret buried in his heart. Over the years, Charlie thought about sharing his secret. Giving it thought, he wondered, "Who would believe his true tale?"

When the candy striper entered his hospital room, Charlie reached out to the youthful hospital helper. Motioning for her to come closer, his voice above a whisper, requesting paper and pencil.

Lightening flashed outside the hospital window, Charlie desperately wanting to unburden his heart by telling his true story, feverishly, he yearned for his second wife, who died thirteen years earlier, leaving a void in Charlie's life.

Realizing he never shared his secrets with his second wife, Charlie started to shake all over. Tears welled up in his eyes.

Finding paper and pencil, the candy striper, returned and entered Charlie's room. She asked, "Do you want me to leave the paper and pencil by your bedside?"

Drying his eye with the bedsheet, Charlie quickly responded, "No, I want you to write down my story."

After a coughing spell, Charlie dictated, "I am seventy-five years old. Born on the 3rd of August in England the year was 1881. Went off to sea when I was a very young lad. One of my first ships sank in the Boston Harbor.

At first, I was a helper, promoted to baker, and finally chief baker. I was on the RMS Titanic. Late, on the evening of the 12th of April, I was alone in my cabin when a man suddenly appeared. He startled me.

The man said, 'I am Cain.'

I was wide awake. Pinching myself, it wasn't a dream.

Asked him, 'Are you an angel?'

Cain exclaimed, 'I am a time traveler!'

Professing that he was from 1886, and claiming that he worked as a clerk at the Merchants Library on Lafayette Street in New York City, Cain traveled through a time portal. There was a concealed entryway located behind bookshelves on the second floor of the old building, formerly the Opera House.

As a matter of fact, Cain enlightened me in regard to the sinking of the ship. Instructing, when you hear the collision with the iceberg, immediately get up and have a stiff drink or two. Then, you have your staff stock the lifeboats with bread and biscuits.

Afterward, have a few more drinks. Saving uncountable lives, you are to help load the lifeboats. When necessary, you will throw the women into the lifeboats' empty seats.

Go back to your cabin and have a few more drinks.

Really, Cain insisted that I get drunk. Once inebriated, I was to go to the top side and heave the deck chairs overboard filling the water with floating devices.

'Be sure to go to the stern side!' Cain exclaimed. You can ride the stern side down to the sea like a lift. With those words, Cain was gone as quickly as he came.

****

Late at night on the 14th of April 1912, I heard the collision, jumping out of my bunk. I had a few stiff drinks...."

The monitor flatlined.

"Charlie!" yelled the candy striper.

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