My mother-in-law called my cake business a silly hobby, then kept demanding cakes for her friends. My husband said her help with our daughter made it fair. When I learned what those friends were paying her, I agreed to one more cake — and prepared for a Friday pickup she’d never forget!
I was adding the finishing touches to a cake when Giselle brought my three-year-old daughter home from the park.
Giselle leaned over the tiny yellow roses I’d piped for Dana’s birthday order.
“Still playing with frosting, honey? It’s a silly little hobby.”
“A silly little hobby that pays,” I replied with a tight smile.
Giselle leaned over.
“Hmm.” Giselle pulled her purse strap higher on her shoulder. “By the way, I need a cake for my friend Patrice’s book club on Sunday.”
“I can’t make another free cake this week, Giselle.”
“You wouldn’t charge family, would you?”
Behind her, my three-year-old daughter, Mina, was struggling out of her coat.
“I need a cake.”
“I have three paid orders to finish,” I said. “And the ingredients for Patrice’s cake would come out of my pocket.”
“Patrice is a dear friend of mine. It’s just a simple lemon cake. Nothing fancy. I’d make it myself, but between watching Mina and my own commitments, I won’t have time.”
Mina held up her coat, and I stepped away to hang it on its hook.
“I’d make it myself.”
I had left my job after Mina was born.
Baking started as a way to earn a little money. Then people began recommending me to strangers.
I still had the first thank-you card a customer sent, tucked behind my recipe books.
Three mornings a week, Giselle took Mina out while I baked. Without her help, those paid cakes would have to wait until bedtime.
I had left my job.
I turned back to the counter.
Giselle was waiting for an answer. I could keep saying no, but on Thursday morning I’d still be handing her Mina’s backpack and thanking her for coming.
“All right. Lemon for Sunday.”
That night, I complained to Zion while he scrolled his phone on the couch.
Giselle was waiting for an answer.
“Your mom asks for a free cake at least once a week. I can’t keep absorbing it.”
“But she watches Mina three mornings a week,” he said, not looking up. “Think what that would cost us. You can give her a few cakes back. Be grateful.”
I had been grateful.
I packed Mina’s lunch, thanked Giselle at every handover, and made her favorite coconut cake on her birthday.
“Be grateful.”
None of that seemed to count when I wanted to say no.
But the solution was obvious now: To say no to Giselle’s demands, I’d have to organize childcare for Mina.
The next day, Dana messaged to ask about a cake for her sister’s anniversary.
It would pay enough to cover a week of morning childcare at the preschool near us.
I wanted to say no.
I checked my calendar twice before replying.
I could do it if I kept the following Thursday clear.
Then Giselle called.
“I promised Julia a retirement cake. I’ll collect it when I bring Mina home on Thursday.”
“I need that morning for a paying order,” I said. “Could you ask her to collect Friday instead?”
Then Giselle called.
“The party’s Thursday. Do you think she should postpone her retirement for your cake?”
“Of course not! I just… I’m sorry, but I can’t do it this time.”
There was a pause. I stood by the counter, proud of myself and a little sick.
“I’ve already told her,” Giselle said. “What am I supposed to say now? That my daughter-in-law couldn’t be bothered?”
There was a pause.
“That I’m working.”
“While I’m looking after your child.” She sighed. “Maybe Mina should stay home that day, so I can bake the cake instead.”
I wouldn’t be able to focus on Dana’s order anyway if I had to watch Mina.
I looked at the calendar again. I could take both cakes and work through Wednesday night.
“Maybe Mina should stay home that day.”
I could tell Dana yes and hope nothing went wrong.
