Business continued to bomb and by early next week, I was totally exhausted. There was no way I could continue to be a cook, dessert chef, and landlady for a going concern like a clogged pipe. Besides, Ms. McHugh could only cover for the morning shift. Now, the deli was making more than enough money to spring for another staff member, especially since I was working for nothing more than tips and glory.

The Help Wanted sign spent about forty-five minutes in our window before I had to interview my first applicant. Guess who?

"I love what you've done with the place," Clarice raved. "Do you know that the whole...