There was no rain, but the trees along the street danced in the wind, swaying left and right and whispering incessantly as they continued to disassemble themselves and leave their colorful litter in the gutter. Juliet had left the compound early. She decided not to be tempted by fair food which was caloric and lousy, and stopped at the Spalding’s bakery for a pumpkin cupcake, which was the most delicious thing she could imagine. Had she no fear of fat she would probably end up bankrupt and owing the bakery her soul to pay off her line of credit. But since she did fear fat, she only got three—one for her, one for Garret, and one for Rose—and a cup of coffee since she liked hers rather weak and not so thick with grounds that she couldn’t see through it. There was also, most conveniently, enough time to drop by Garret’s office and have a little chat, if Dave Spalding hurried. He did not seem inclined to haste but wished to tell everyone about deciding to try for a place on Cupcake Wars.
