Written 1st Sentence Exercise

The following was a class exercise where we were given the first line from a book and were told to write a short story based on the sentence we were given.

The Whistle Stop Café opened up last week right next door to me at the post office. It had been a quiet week, when the café opened its doors and welcomed the first customers into the delicious smelling haven. I was curious, I'll admit, but I stopped myself from walking in. I didn't even know the owners. I had barely even known that a new business was going to be opened there. The only clue I had received was the new food truck that had stopped earlier that opening day morning, when I had opened the window to my apartment above the post office. The smells wafted over into the post office, day after day, and into my apartment on the weekends as well. It smelled so good. I was curious. But I couldn't.

Today, the doors opened as usual, but the smells were different. Sweeter, almost. It was like they were baking breads from heaven over there at the Whistle Stop. My lunch break came, and before I knew it, my feet were carrying me to the front of the café. I stopped, realizing where I was. I peeked in through the windows, and saw two other customers in the shop. One was eating what looked like a delightful cheese Danish that may well have fallen from a cloud. My mouth watered. The other was sipping some small cup of espresso-looking liquid and tapping away on their computer. I instantly felt that this place was one of serenity. Looking at the counter, there were multitudes of fresh baked breads, bagels, donuts, Danishes, cookies, and so many other delicious looking baked goodness, I couldn't help myself. I stood there with my mouth gaping open, drool dripping down my face. I must've made quite a scene, as the next thing I knew, the man behind the counter was at the door, opening it and beckoning me inside. He pulled me in, with an arm around my shoulders. He smelled absolutely amazing. I could tell that he had spent much of his day already making fresh baked goods. He sat me down at a table by the window, handed me a cup of coffee and one of the monstrous cheese Danishes I had seen, and went back to behind the counter, bringing out a new batch of dough to knead. I slipped into an almost unconscious state. I felt as if I was in a dream.

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

My alarm went off, and I sat up. I was back in my room. Same old blue walls, cream curtains and the cat asleep on the floor.  With a sigh I started my day, wistfully hoping to escape back into that heavenly dream.

The first line I was given was the first line of this short story, which is from Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café.