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The Little Black Book

To Create is Human, To Understand is Divine

By Miranda DockstaderPublished 3 years ago 9 min read
1

Mari Abrams sat at her kitchen table, looking not twice, but three times at the numbers on the pages in front of her. How could this have happened?

It had always been Mari’s dream to run the best and most successful bakery in town. She had been working hard towards it, until financial troubles caused her to close her doors, possibly forever. Frustrated, she wanted to solve the money issues and get running again but didn’t know how. And by the looks of the numbers in front of her, it seemed impossible.

“How’s everything going?”

Mari was startled by the question coming from her door. She turned to find her friend, Veronica, standing there.

“Oh, you scared me Ronnie. Um, yeah, not so good.”

Her friend pulled up a chair to sit at the table. “Does it look like you can reopen the bakery?”

Mari sighed. “Not at this point. I’m about twenty thousand dollars in debt, and I can’t see a way to get that kind of money anytime soon. I’ll probably have to sell the restaurant equipment I bought and close my doors for good.”

Veronica looked sympathetically at her friend. She looked dejected, frustrated, and plain worn out. But she was here to give Mari an option. “I have something for you.”

Opening the bag that lay at her feet, Veronica pulled out a small black notebook and handed it to Mari.

“What’s this?” Mari questioned.

“That,” stated Veronica, “is the answer to all your problems.”

Mari looked dubious. “How so?”

“That book holds tremendous power. It is incredibly valuable, and the contents can make you rich beyond your wildest dreams. If you find the right person to sell it to, you’ll be wealthy for life,” Veronica told her.

“The right person?” questioned Mari. “How do I know who that is?”

“The book holds special energy. When the right person shows up, you’ll know,” said Veronica.

Mari examined the small book, her curiosity piqued. She could tell it was well made, as it had stood the test of time and handling. “If it’s so valuable, why don’t you keep it for yourself?” she questioned.

“Because I don’t need it. I’m doing very well for myself, and I want to pass this along to someone who needs it.”

Mari looked gratefully at her. “That’s very nice of you Ronnie, but I don’t see how some pages are going to solve my problems.”

“Just keep it,” said Veronica. “You never know, maybe things will work out. Oh, and one more thing. Don’t look at the contents of the book until you find the buyer. If you do, you’ll nullify its power.”

And with that, she stood to leave. As she was about to head out the door, she turned to Mari and said, “If that book could give you all you wanted, what is it you do want?”

Mari thought a moment and then shrugged. “To get my store running again, to be financially free, and at some point, to find love in my life.”

Veronica smiled. “Perfect.” Then she left, leaving Mari to stare after her in confused silence.

Over the next few days, Mari held the book several times. Apparently, whatever was in this book could be the answer to her problems. She thought about what Veronica had told her; the value it held, and that if she could find the right buyer, she would be financially free. Even though her friend had warned her to not look at the contents, Mari fought the urge to look inside, to see what Veronica was talking about. What could be so valuable? Was it some kind of treasure map? Or information on how to access a safe deposit box? Maybe it was valuable advice that showed exactly how to make money.

Money was what Mari needed and if the book could bring her that kind of wealth, she needed to keep it closed and find a buyer. Ronnie had said the book held special energy, and that the right person would show up at the right time. Mari didn’t exactly understand what that meant, but realized that if her friend was right, if she could indeed find the right buyer for the book, she could reopen her bakery doors! It was worth trying to find that person. She didn’t have anything to lose at this point.

The search for the person who would buy her valuable book started off slowly, but the more she looked, the more excited she became. This person could be anywhere! It became almost fun, like a game. And as Mari searched, she became increasingly happy, knowing that there was light at the end of the tunnel, and that eventually, she would have what she wanted.

As time went on, something else began to happen. Knowing she owned a valuable book that she could eventually sell started to make her feel rich. And even though things looked bleak, in the back of her mind she knew she possessed something unique and precious, and when the time was right, it would give her everything her heart desired.

A few weeks passed. Mari had been looking everywhere for the right purchaser of the little black book, but no one stood out to her. Remembering that Ronnie had told her the person would show up at the right time, Mari decided to relax a bit. She still had to deal with her immediate needs, one of which was to buy some groceries for the week with the small amount of money she still had in her savings.

Strolling through the aisles, she carefully selected food that would last. As she turned the corner, she suddenly crashed into another cart! Her cans of food went flying and she immediately turned toward the careless individual who wasn’t looking where they were going.

“Hey, why don’t you watch where…” Mari stopped mid-sentence as she recognized the man. “Rick?”

“Well, well, if it isn’t Mari Abrams!” Rick exclaimed. “You never were a very good driver.”

Mari gave her friend from college a half smile. “Wow, how long has it been?”

Rick shook his head, “Probably close to ten years.”

“What are you doing here?” asked Mari.

“I’m here on business. We’re looking to expand into the area.”

“Oh, that’s great!”

“Yeah, it’s actually funny I ran into you,” Rick expressed.

“Really? Why?” Mari still couldn’t believe she was standing in front of her old friend. They had had a romantic connection at one point, but then ended things amicably after deciding to move toward different passions.

“I have been looking for people to help me with a new creative team I’m putting together.” Rick answered. “You were very artistic in school, and I was thinking the other day how you would be a perfect fit. I don’t know what you’ve got going on in your life, but, if you’re interested, could we get together for lunch and discuss you joining my team?”

Mari was stunned. “Wow, Rick that’s a fantastic offer...” She did need a job, and here was one being dropped in her lap. But she couldn’t help but think of her dream of running the bakery.

“Hey, no pressure, if it’s not the right time for you.” said Rick, sensing her hesitation.

“Oh, no… it’s just that I’m trying to work out some things with my bakery.”

“You run a bakery?” Rick’s eyes lit up.

“Well, not exactly,” Mari tried to explain.

“I can’t believe this,” Rick said excitedly. “Mari, another reason I’m here is to look for restaurants to invest in. How is your bakery doing?”

“Well, that’s the thing. I have been struggling a bit because of the equipment costs and overhead.”

“Not a problem,” said Rick. “How much do you need to make it work?”

Mari was dumbfounded, but after regaining some composure slowly said, “Twenty thousand?”

“Done!” Rick said exuberantly.

***

Six months later, Mari strolled calmly through the park, enjoying the beautiful sunny day. What a whirlwind the last few months had been! Because of Rick, Mari had been able to pay her debts, and with a lot of hard work, determination, and drive, she had once again opened her bakery doors. Rick was right, Mari had been a very artistic student, and she used some of her creativity to make delectable treats that were unique, as well as delicious. They were an instant hit locally, bringing in a stream of steady business each day. One day, unbeknownst to Mari, a food critic from a major city came in to try the famous indulgences. Once the story was written about how special the food was, the bakery’s business exploded. Mari had to hire extra staff and a manager besides herself so she could occasionally take a day off!

Mari had opened another door as well. Feeling fate had brought them together, she and Rick decided to give their relationship another shot, and were happily dating. All of it seemed so surreal. She could hardly remember the person she was just a short time ago.

Finding a bench, she sat to feel the sunshine on her face and enjoy a snack from her bag. As she reached inside, her hand brushed against something. Pulling it out, she revealed the little black notebook. In the bustle of everything happening so quickly, she had forgotten all about it.

Suddenly, Veronica’s words came flooding back to her memory. She marveled at what had happened since she came into possession of this remarkable book. Maybe it was indeed magical. Maybe the contents were worth far more than she had ever dreamed of.

She glanced up and saw a man rummaging through some garbage on the other side of the park. She again looked at the book, then got up and headed toward the man.

“Hi,” said Mari as she approached him.

“Hi,” he said, looking skeptical.

Mari quickly continued. “I don’t mean to bother you, but it looks like you might be looking for something?”

The man gave her a wry smile. “Just anything to help me along. I lost my job two months ago. Couldn’t make my apartment rent, so I got kicked out. Been living in my car. Tried getting another job, but it hasn’t worked out yet.”

Mari gave the man a knowing smile, paused, and then reached into her bag.

“Here,” she said.

“What’s this?” he asked as she handed him the small black notebook.

Mari quickly told the man the power the book held. “If you sell it to the right person,” she added, “it will make you rich for life. But don’t look at the contents until you find a buyer, otherwise, it will nullify its power.”

The man was taken aback, “Why would you give it to me?”

“Because I was once where you are, and this book saved my life.”

“But, if it’s so valuable, don’t you want to keep it?”

Mari smiled as she started to leave. Turning, she said, “I don’t need it anymore.”

The man watched her in perplexed amazement as she walked away. What could this book hold that could be so valuable? She had told him he wasn't supposed to look at the contents, but he just had to find out. Gingerly, he opened the cover and began to turn the pages, confusion erupting on his face.

They were blank.

literature
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About the Creator

Miranda Dockstader

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