CHAPTER SEVENTY SIX –UNCHARTED PATHS

The next morning, despite the mild headache pulsing behind her eyes, Laura felt lighter than she had in years. Even the usual Saturday morning rush at Fierro's couldn't dampen her spirits. As she and Tina worked side by side, effortlessly managing the flow of orders and the ever-present chaos, Laura marveled at how comfortable it all felt. The clink of plates, the sizzle of the grill, Mario and Luigi's bickering from the kitchen – it had all become a familiar symphony, one she was learning to conduct with increasing skill. "Order up!" Luigi called from the kitchen window. "One Fierro's Fantastic Flapjack Tower with extra powdered sugar and a side of Mr. Fierro's Secret Sauce!" Laura grimaced as she picked up the plate. Mr. Fierro's latest breakfast creation was a towering monstrosity of pancakes, each layer interspersed with different fruits, nuts, and what looked suspiciously like gummy bears. The "Secret Sauce" was a lurid green concoction that Luigi swore was "perfectly edible...