November 1, 1983

Amelia took down her Halloween decorations and begins to put up her Autumn and Thanksgiving decor.  Placing fake leaves around the door frames and signs for pumpkin pies.  Theo meows as he lies over a haystack Amelia had laid out for fall decor.  She walks out of the shop and places a folded blackboard down.  She begins to write and smirks when another feeling comes to her.  She writes out in big colorful words that she was having a sale on donuts.  She brushes off her hands and admires her artwork before walking back inside to make her famous bear claws with almonds to give them the realistic look for claws. 

While Amelia was cooking, Callahan was driving around town to the usual places he and Powell goes for donuts.  Since Flo couldn't pick up the donuts for them, he was forced to go.  But to his demise, the usual donut shop has closed down due to health violations.  Callahan groans in despair and hits the steering wheel.

"Great!" He exclaims and grabs his hand held, "Hey, Powell.  The shop is gone.  Freaking Health Inspector shut it down." He groans out.

"You better think of something before the Chief gets here.  You remember last time we ran out of donuts?" Powell scoffs over the speakers.

Callahan grimaces at the memories.  He was almost fired over a lousy donut.  He remembers that Chief Hopper was already having a bad day and the donut was the final nail on the coffin. 

"Roger that." He sighs and cuts the call.  "Where the hell am I gonna find some donuts?" He grunts out and looks around.  Through his rearview mirror, his eye catches a sign.  He perks up when he sees the new bakery.  He turns to look over his shoulder to read the sign properly.  Half priced donuts!  He turns swiftly and heads towards the bakery.  Parking his patrol car, he rushes to get out to beat the sale. 

Panting, Callahan walks inside and sticks his nose up as he's hit with the wonderful aroma of donuts and coffee.  He looks over and sees a woman with her back towards him as she bends over to open a counter.  His brows rise to his hairline as he admires her backside.  She had a nice...shape. 

Amelia smiles with a knowing look, "Good morning, Officer." She says, making him jump.

"Uh...how did you...?" Callahan stutters.

She straightens her pose and turns to face him, watching him freeze in lust.  She gives him a kind smile, "Hard to miss the police car driving around." She giggles. 

He looks towards his car and realizes how he must have looked as he drove around as if he was in a high-speed chase. 

"Hmm, something tells me you are here for important business." She gives him a coy look. 

"Uh, yeah." Callhan clears his throat.  "Yes, I am, ma'am." He says as he straightens his pose and grips his belt.

She chuckles and turns to fill up a take-away box filled with a dozen bear claws.  She stands up and turns towards him.

"That look of hunger speaks for itself.  And I'm guessing it's your turn to be on donut duty?" She says as she places the box on the counter.

Callahan stutters in shock, but Amelia holds up a hand.

"Forgive me.  Not trying the old cliché between police and donuts." She says.

"Oh, don't worry, Ma'am.  Wasn't thinking that." Callahan waves her off and moves towards the counter.  "Wow, those smell amazing." He exclaims.

"Since you're my first customer of the day and since you are on a mission to fuel up yourself and your partners, and I'm guessing your boss as well.  First dozen are on the house.  And..." She holds up a finger and grabs a bag full of homemade coffee grounds.  "Fresh ground coffee.  Sometime tells me you're going to need this." She grins with a knowing look.

Callahan couldn't say no to free donuts and coffee.  He takes the coffee and box in his hands with a big smile. 

"Thank you, Ma'am!  I appreciate your kindness.  You certainly saved my hide today." He grins.

"No problem, Officer..." She trails off.

"Callahan.  Phil Callahan, Miss..."

"Amelia Holloway." She says.

"Nice to meet you, Amelia."

"Nice to meet you as well, Officer Phil."

Callahan backs away and blushes, "Um, if these donuts taste as good as they smell, you can expect another regular customer." He says as he reaches the door. 

"Do come back anytime.  Have great day." She says. 

"Will do.  Bye." He sends her a smile and rushes to his car. 

"Come in, Phil.  Where are you?" Powell's annoyed voice erupts from the speaker.

Placing the donuts and coffee in the passenger's seat, Phil grabs his handheld and answers the call. 

"I'm here.  I'm on my way back with the donuts." He scoffs out.

"'Bout damn time.  And get some coffee, too.  Flo tried to open the last one and smells like something pissed in it." Powell grimaces over the speakers.

Phil looks at the radio in shock and looks back at the bakery, seeing Amelia looking out the window, sending him friendly wave.  Phil weakly waves back.

"How did she...?" He mutters and drives back towards the station.  He didn't have time to think.

Theo meows as he rubs around Amelia's legs, looking at her in curiosity with a purr.

Amelia smirks, "Heads up, Theo.  Something tells me we're gonna have a visit from the Chief of Police." She turns and waves her hand in the air.  At once, the kichen appliances turned on.  Cooking away the ingredients for the wonderful foods she had to prepare for the town. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jim pulls up into his reserved parking space and sighs heavily.  Once again, he woke up, feeling like shit.  Halloween night was always the worst.  Endless pranks throughout the night.  Drunk drivers.  He use to like Halloween.  But not anymore.  Not since...

He sighs heavily at the painful memories and quickly grabs a bottle of pills in his pocket.  He takes a few in his hands and swallows them bitterly.  He didn't want to feel pain anymore.  He wanted to be numbed.  He grunts as he gets out of the truck and heads inside. 

"Morning, everyone." Jim mutters as he walks inside, but frowns as he sees everyone, and he means everyone, enjoying a donut and a cup of coffee.  And he thought he was the high one as he looks over everyone's smiling face.  "What's with everyone?"

"Morning, Chief." Callahan greets him warmly. 

"Morning, Sheriff." Powell says and holds up some sort of donut with almonds at the edge.  "You have got to try one of these." He exclaims and bites into the donut.

Jim frowns in confusion, "Try what?"

"A bear claw from 'Sweet Talk'.  It's absolutely amazing!  I never had a donut taste so good." Callahan exclaims and makes 'Mmmm!' noises. 

"'Sweet Talk'?  What happened to our regular place?" Jim asks as he heads towards the snack table. 

"Place was closed down by the health inspector.  Doesn't look like they're going to be back in business anytime soon.  But at least we got Amelia's tasty donuts." Callahan says. 

Jim frowns and looks over his shoulder, "Amelia?  Who's Amelia?"

"Amelia Holloway.  She's the owner of 'Sweet Talk'." Flo speaks up as she sips her coffee.  "I met her a few weeks ago at Melvald's.  She's so kind and caring.  And single." She hints at the men. 

"Flo, you know I'm a happily married man." Powell grunts.

"But can she cook like Amelia?" Phil scoffs.

"Hell, no!" Powell exclaims, making Phil and Flo laugh.  "I don't think I ever met anyone who could cook better than this woman.  Mm!" He says and bites into his donut again. 

"If you guys are done stuffing your faces, anything new going on?" Jim scoffs and grabs himself a coffee and donut against his better judgment.

"No need to be a sour puss." Flo scoffs and grabs the morning messages, "Pastor Charles called again about the Thanksgiving Parade.  Marrisa called..." Flo eyes Jim as he winces at that name.  "...again."

Giving Flo a grimaced smile, "Um...I'll give her a call, get her off your nerves." Jim states.

"You better." Flo warns. 

"Yeah. " Jim grunts as he walks into his office with a sigh.  He sits down and rubs his head.  Another day another dollar. 

Leaning back against his chair, he takes his coffee in hand.  He sniffs and frowns at the scent coming from his cup.  He inhales deeply and moans.  He never smelled something so good.  Not even coffee.  If it tasted just as good...

He sips his coffee and freezes once that warm liquid touched his tongue.  It was like a warm blanket wrapping around his body.  Filling him up with a comfort he hasn't felt since he was a kid.  The love he never felt before. 

"Oh, my god." He grunts in bliss.  Even his headache was gone.  It was like a miracle in a drink form.  He looks over and eyes that bear claw.  A literal bear claw donut.  He never seen anyone make a bear claw like that.  Even using almonds as claws.  "If this is good..." He mutters and reaches to take his donut and bites into the dough.  Feeling the warm berry cream fill his mouth.  "Jesus Christ!" He exclaims and bites again.  "God almighty, who is this woman?!" He exclaims. 

He grunts as his phone rings.  Licking his fingers clean, he quickly takes the call and hears Flo's voice on the line.

"Chief, we got a call about homeless prowler lurking around the flower shop.  Gloria sounds really upset."

Jim sighs, annoyed that he had to be interrupted after enjoying his coffee and donut.  Maybe he'll stop by the shop and get some more if he's lucky. 

"Got it." He hangs up and grabs his hat to head on to the flower shop.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Amelia helps the kind homeless man inside her shop.  After stopping the Flower Shop owner from attacking him, she managed to help him get to safety inside her Bakery.  All the poor man was trying to do was to find food and help. 

"Sit right here." She says as she guides him to a chair.

"Thank you, Miss.  You're very kind." The middle-aged man says and takes off his dirty hat.  His greasy hair was smooshed down.  He was very skinny and boney.  Almost as if he hasn't eaten well in months.

"It's no trouble.  I cannot ignore the suffering of others and I don't understand why anyone would." She says as she moves to fix him a cup of coffee and a croissant ham and cheese sandwich.  She turns and places his food and coffee down.  "Here you go."

"Oh!  But I don't have any money." He gives her a guilty look.

"On the house." She smiles.

"Are you sure?  I don't want to be a bother."

"You couldn't be.  Mr...?"

"Call me Mo."

Amelia chuckles, "Ok, then. Mo.  Why was Gloria so bothered with you standing around her shop?" She asks.

Mo sighs, "It's not the first time I've been around there, but it seemed like the best place to ask people for money.  I don't mean to bother people...it just that...winter is coming and it's always hard to survive on the streets."

Amelia sighs and nods in understanding, "May I ask what happened?"

Mo sighs, "Lost my job at the Warehouse at the end of town.  Hawkins Meat and Packing.  Too many people and too little money.  They let a lot of people go, including me.  Some were lucky to get back on the saddle with another job.  But me..." He scoffs. 

"There has to be something out there for you?  You use to be a butcher, correct?" She asks.

Mo frowns, "How...?"

She looks at his hand, "You have old cuts on your hands, and they seem very rough.  That tells me you worked hard with your hands and with knives.  And you worked at a meat warehouse.  So, I put two and two together." She smiles. 

Mo exclaims, "Wow, Miss.  You could be a detective."

Amelia laughs and shakes her head, "I leave the detective work to the professionals.  Like you, you're a professional butcher.  Why not open your own shop?  According to the law, you should at least get unemployment benefits due to being laid off.  That should help you help you on your way."

Mo thinks about it but scoffs, "No way could I afford a lawyer."

"Just look for one that'll accept payment upfront.  I'm sure there's one lawyer who would be happy to help you out.  As a start, you should check yourself into a hotel, give yourself shower and fresh clothes and a nice meal before you go see one.  I recommend you should go as soon as possible." She takes his hand and gives him a comforting grip.  "Trust me." She smiles with knowing look. 

Mo returns a smile, but frowns when feels something rolled up in his hands.  It was money!  200 dollars! 

"Oh, no, I cannot accept this." He shakes his head and tries to hand it back, but she smiles and pushes his hand back. 

"Don't think of it as Charity.  Just lending a hand.  But do take my word, see a lawyer and you'll get rewarded." She says.

Mo was taken back by this woman's kindness.  After so long of people running, shooing him away, she gave him more than what anyone has.  Mo catches movement from the corner of his eyes and sighs at the sight of Sheriff Hopper dealing with an angry Florist. 

"Have you met the Sheriff yet?" Mo asks.

Amelia shakes her head.

Mo chuckles, "Beware, he can be a hard-headed son of a bitch.  Pardon my French." He says.

Amelia giggles, "It's ok.  I consider your warning." She pushes his coffee and sandwich towards him.  "Eat and drink, I'll deal with him." She says as she sees the giant grizzly bear of a man walking towards her shop. 

She gets up and turns towards the door just as Chief Hopper covers his sight to peek inside the shop.  Spying on the homeless man chowing down on food.  Jim sighs, knowing Mo since he moved here.  He knew he had it rough, but he can't keep doing this. 

"Looking for something, Sherrif?" A soft voice calls out.

Jim jumps and looks to see a beautiful woman leaning on the glass door of the Bakery entrance.  He was happy he was wearing his sunglasses.  If she could see his wide eyes right now.  How they admired every inch of her.  Her dark hair touched past her shoulders and her eyes...he couldn't tell if they were honey or green or brown.  He clears his throat and straightens his pose.  Trying to be professional before her. 

"Um, are you the owner?" He asks.

"That's me.  Amelia Holloway." She says and holds out her hand. 

Jim takes her small, soft hand into his large rough hand, "Chief Jim Hopper." He says. 

Amelia admired the feel of his hand in hers, there was something about his touch.  He had rough features, but there was a gentle side.  She looks down and sees the peeking of a blue thin hair tie that could be mistaken for a bracelet around his wrist.  Almost as if it was made for a child.

Jim lets go of her hand and takes off his sunglasses.  "Uh, Gloria says she saw a prowler around here."

"Hmm, Gloria must be mistaken.  No prowler lurking around here." She says with an innocent smile. 

Jim scoffs, "And yet, you have a gentleman in your shop who fits the description." He points out.

"Oh...Mo?" She points her thumb over her shoulder, "He was only looking for a good meal and I felt that, with best interest, I should give the poor man food.  So, no harm done." She shrugs.

Jim snorts and walks around her to get inside and talk to Mo himself.  He couldn't help but look down at the small woman, catching a whiff of her scent.  Like roses blooming in the sunlight.  How can a woman smell like that? He brushes past her and walks inside.  He was first hit by the wonderful aroma of different foods and coffee.  It smelled heavenly. 

Jim sighs as he walks towards Mo, who sat at the table still, eating his meal and guzzling down the coffee.

"Mo." Jim grunts out with a sigh.

Mo turns and waves, "Hey, Jim.  How's it hanging?"

Jim glares at him, "Mo, you know the deal.  You can't be hanging around, bugging people for money.  You're disturbing the peace."

Mo scoffs and gets to his feet, "I just needed some money so I could get a little bit of food now and then.  Obviously, you don't know what that's like." He gestures at Hopper's figure.

Jim stiffens and was about to stalk towards him, but Amelia quickly stands in between them.

"Now, now.  Please.  Mo... that was a little out of line.  And I can see from the Sheriff's point of view.  Not everyone is pleased when they're constantly asked for money.  And last thing I want is someone to turn on you just for asking for help." Amelia says.

Mo sighs and rubs his head, "Ok, yeah, that was a little rude of me.  Sorry, Chief."

Hopper's brows shoot up in shock, Mo never apologized before...to anyone...ever.

"And remember my advice.  Please take it." She says as she shows him the door.

"Oh, I will.  Bless you, Ms. Holloway." Mo says as he holds up his hand that held the money, she gave him. 

"Be safe, Mo."

"Hey, wait a minute." Jim speaks up but Mo was already out the door and down the street.

Amelia turns towards Jim and waves him off, "Oh, come on, Chief.  You know he's harmless and there's no reason to arrest him."

"That still doesn't give you the right to let go of a person of interest." He glares down at her.

"A person of interest? Just because he wanted helping hand?" She scoffs at him.  "You're gonna have to do better than that, Sheriff."

Jim looks at her in disbelief, "Are you that really gullible with people you don't know?  Mo is a known alcoholic, and you gave him money." He scoffs.

Amelia folds her arms over her chest, "He may be one, but I know people.  Trust me...he'll be a different man when you see him again." She smirks knowingly and turns towards the counter. 

Jim continues to watch her, stuttering in confusion.  This woman was a whirlwind.  He couldn't read her like normal people.  He watches her move around the small counter. 

"I can see my bear claws have appeased the local police department." She says over her shoulder as she restocks her display shelves.

"Excuse me?" Jim frowns. 

Amelia looks over her shoulder and points at the corner of her lips, "You missed a spot."

Jim reaches and catches a small cream smear at the corner of his lips.  He turns around and licks it off, wiping it away with his finger.  He clears his throat and turns back towards Amelia as she giggles. 

"Um, they were...okay." He grunts, embarrassed a little bit but doesn't show it. 

"Just okay?  Callahan was nice enough to leave a phone call about them.  Raving about how everyone loves them and already requesting for more tomorrow morning.  If the Sheriff's Department is interested, I can set up an account for future interests." She says and leans on the counter as she faces him with a curious look.

Jim was speechless at first with how this woman before him was so...so...open and welcoming and yet...he couldn't put his finger on it with her.  Naïve is one.  She was different.

Suddenly, he frowns at something rubbing against his ankles, purring like a chainsaw.  He looks down and sees a black cat roaming around his feet.  Meowing in affection.

"Looks like you got a seal of approval.  Theo is very picky at times with people." Amelia smirks.

"What? Is Theo the boss?" Jim scoffs and uses air quotes. 

Amelia giggles, "You could say that.  I trust his instincts.  He can see what I can see."

Jim snorts, crossing his arms over his chest, "What's that?"

Amelia leans on the counter, studying the man before her, "Hmm, ask me that again after we properly know each other.  Can't make calls at first meeting so quickly." She smirks knowingly. 

Jim scoffs, "Ok.  Yeah." He says sarcastically, he reaches into his pocket for his cigarette pack.  He places one in his mouth, but before he could light it up, Amelia pops up before him, snatching it out of his mouth. 

"Sorry, Sheriff, but no smoking in my building." She states.  "Besides, those things will kill you." She scoffs and tosses it into the nearest trash can and stands before him as he looks down at her with a glare, but she wasn't cowering away from that death look.  "If that'll be all, I need to serve some customers." She states.

Jim frowns as he looks around, before he could ask 'what customers', a group of elders begin to walk inside, chattering away as they admired the bakery.  He turns towards the door, seeing the people walk in and turns back towards her with a frown.  How did she do that?  He didn't even see people nearing the shop. 

Jim clears his throat and nods in greeting towards the group, then turns back to face Amelia, "Next time, Miss Holloway, when someone makes a report on someone...don't hide the perp.  Or you'll be sharing a spot at the station." He gives her a bitter look.  "Have a pleasant day."

Amelia chuckles and shows the Sheriff the door, "Understood, Chief Hopper." She leans on the door, "Please come back anytime for donuts.  I'll be happy to stuff your face." She gives him a smile.

Jim grunts in displeased and sends her a bitter look.  She had a mouth, he could tell.  And definitely had no fear against authority.  Dealing with this woman is gonna be a handful. 

Amelia watches Jim bite his tongue and walks away from the shop.  She giggles and looks down at Theo who gives her a curious meow.  She sighs and leans on the doorframe as she looks down at him.

"Yeah, I know what you mean.  Fate is a curious complication at times, but she means well." She says.  Meow... "What? How can I not like what I see?  You know how I like teddy bears." She shrugs.  Meow... "Oh, I'm sick?  Says the one who licks his own ass after using the toilet." She scoffs at Theo.  Meow... "Okay, that was just plain rude.  No whipped cream tonight." She says as she turns to head back inside with Theo whining out meows at her as he follows.  "You shouldn't have said that then." She says as the door shuts by itself behind her.