It’s as predictable as the sunrise, sunset and taxes. On any given weekday morning during the school year, a swarm of teenagers streams out of Cambridge Rindge and Latin School, shuffles across Broadway, and erupts through the doors of Broadway Marketplace. The noise level skyrockets as they beeline for the bakery department in the back.
For Laura Garcia, the market’s bakery manager, it’s the best time of day. Her “kids” have arrived.
With the tone and efficiency of a drill sergeant, she takes orders, pointing at each impatient teen as she goes. “What do you need? What do you need? And you?” It’s not hard to see why freshmen might be intimidated by her, at least initially. She is no-nonsense as she moves through the requests of dozens of hungry students. But, she also makes a point of connecting with the kids before they head off with their food in hand.
“When I give [the sandwich] back, [I say] ‘Thank you. Have a nice day, okay?’ Or then the next day, I say, ‘How was your test?’ And I listen,” she said.
Her kids catch on quickly that despite her sometimes gruff tone, Laura has a big heart and a hug to match, which is why they come back, every morning of every school week, year after year, and for many, even after graduation. No wonder many have called her “Mama.”
Laura beams as she recounts some of her more memorable young customers over the years. One student had a bad stutter. He was often the first to arrive during morning break so he wouldn’t be rushed and verbally stumble.
“I always ask him, ‘How was your school’ and I stay there because he’s the first one so I have a chance to spend time with him,” she said. “So one day he come over and give me like a gift thing. And I am like what is this for? ‘Laura you are the only one who talk to me. You’re the only one who care for me and the only one who ask me questions about me.’ Oh my God, my tears come out.”
Two Rindge seniors, Cela Harris and Diana Ortiz, are among this morning’s mob of customers and fans. Cela flashes a knowing wave and a smile as she rounds the corner and sees Laura. She hands over her bagel with no directions. Apparently Laura knows her order and she always gets it right.
