<span class="bbc_u"><strong> *Delilah Brooks*</strong></span><br/><br/>"  Carla!"  Delilah Brooks called out to her friend and roommate from the open front door of the townhouse they shared in downtown Seattle,    " Mandy and I are headed to that little french bakery down the street, want anything?" she smiled at her sleepy eyed 6 year old daughter who waited eagerly by her side.    " Nah, nothing for me thanks. I'm starting my new diet today, remember?"  Delilah and Mandy each rolled their eyes- together, in unison, at the idea of Carla starting yet<em> another</em>diet.    " That's what..? Like the 3rd one this month?" she whispered playfully to Mandy as they made their way out the door.<br/><br/>Atleast one day a week,  Delilah would get up early and walk with Mandy to the bakery for a breakfast of almond croissants, in which they would enjoy on the outdoor patio of the little french bakery before Mandy went to school.  It had become a routine that they both enjoyed and looked forward to.<br/>As a young, single mother, Delilah constantly struggled with trying to juggle a full time job and spending quality time with her daughter.  She originally thought that her job at<em>Secrets</em>, where she was an<em>exotic dancer</em>, would be ideal since working at night would allow her to be home and available for Mandy during the day.  However, now that Mandy was in school until 3 p.m. every day and she had to be at work at 5p.m., their time together was very limited.  Thank God for Carla, her best friend with whom she'd grown up with in Arizona, who had offered her a place to live after the nasty divorce with Mandy's father.  Carla worked as a yoga instructor, offering classes out of the house which enabled her to be there for Mandy while Delilah was at work.  And although she hated to admit it, she couldn't help the pang of jealousy she felt sometimes, at how close the two had become.<br/><br/>She pushed those thoughts away as they arrived at the bakery just as it was opening for the day.  She smiled at the owner's wife, a lovely and petite woman whose kindness and sparkling personality always brought a smile to her face,  "Good Morning Mrs. Marquette, how are you today?"  Delilah led Mandy into the cheerful bakery as the delicious smell of freshly baked bread and rich, mountain grown coffee made her mouth water.  "Hi Mrs. M!" Mandy greeted the older woman with her usual exuberant smile as she hurried over to the counter where all the pastries were lined up just fresh out of the oven.