Fiction Friday is a weekly opportunity for writers to share their work and receive a smidgen of feedback. It's also a GREAT place for readers to peruse inspiring and encouraging fiction from up-and-coming new authors. Our hostess this week is is the queen of multi-tasking, Julie Arduini. Pay her a visit at The Surrendered Scribe. After reading her intriguing flash fiction. add a link of your own, and then follow the other links for some good reading. Be sure to scatter comments along your way.
I'm still under the curse of writer's block, so I pulled out something old but fun for today. While the following is not a true story, it is based on several events conglomerated together and fictionalized for the FaithWriters "Cooking or Baking" challenge. Enjoy!!!
Just Deserts
How in the world do I ‘grate’ an onion? Felicity grimaced and puffed the hair off her face. She reluctantly dialed her mother-in-law’s number. “Mom, it’s me again. Sorry to be such a bother, but I want this to be perfect, you know?”
“Sweetheart, I never think you’re a bother. How can I help?”
“Well, your squash recipe says to add a grated onion. How do you do that? I’ve never grated an onion.”
“I use my food processor. Cut the onion into quarters, then just process it until it’s juicy.”
“Oh, I can do that. Thanks, Mom. I’ll try not to bother you again."
“Felicity, dear, you are NOT a bother! Call me as often as you want to. I’m happy to be here for you today.”
Felicity grabbed a bottle of water and plopped into her favorite chair with a contented sigh. Her chocolate Labrador retriever laid her head in Felicity’s lap. Felicity snuggled her and rubbed the rich brown coat that inspired the dog’s name. “I’m sorry I haven’t had time to play with you today, Coco. You’re such a good dog. Yes you are.”
The house filled with the mouth-watering aroma of roast pork, the squash casserole was in the oven, and the salad was tossed and waiting in the refrigerator next to the shrimp cocktail appetizers. She had even made the disgusting bread sauce her husband loved.
Their one-year anniversary dinner was going to be such a surprise for Will, especially since she was serving it the day before their anniversary. She suspected that he might have a romantic night out planned for tomorrow. Well ... she hoped, anyway. Her mother-in-law had supplied recipes and instructions for all of Will’s favorite dishes, including the piece de resistance – chocolate milkshake cake for desert. His mom said it he’d always requested it for his birthday.
A glance at the clock had Felicity up and moving again. She had just enough time to shower off the cooking grunge and make herself beautiful before Will got home from work. It wouldn’t do to have the atmosphere for this great dinner spoiled by looking (and smelling) like she had been slaving in the kitchen all day. She gave her dog a hug and a pat. “Be, good, Coco. I’ll be right back.”
“Was it as good as your mom’s?”
“Better. I didn’t think that was possible, but it really was.” He let out a loud belch. “Excuse me!”
Felicity giggled. “I guess that means you really did like it. So, do you have room for desert now?”
“Wait ... just a minute.” Another belch rumbled from his belly. “Ok, I think I’m ready now. So tell, me, master chef, what masterpiece did you prepare to top off this perfect dinner?”
“What’s your favorite desert?” Felicity held her breath. Please let his mom be right.
“Milkshake cake?” Will’s raised eyebrows and wide eyes made him look like a little boy.
“Hmm. Well, let’s just see, shall we?” Felicity rose and sauntered out of the dining room.
“Oh, no! Coco!”
“Felicity? What’s wrong?” When she didn’t answer, Will followed her to the kitchen and found her crouched on the floor weeping. “What? What is it, hon?”
She merely pointed. On the counter she indicated, Will saw an empty cake tin surrounded by crumbs and frosting. His eyes narrowed as they followed the trail of crumbs and spied Coco cowering in the corner, licking chocolate frosting from her furry jaws.
Will lifted Felicity off the floor and into his arms. “Honey, shhh, it’s ok. Everything’s not ruined. Believe me, that dinner was awesome. I’ll tell you what. I’ll take Coco for a long walk. She probably needs it after eating an entire cake. And while I’m gone, you can just whip me up another one. How’s that sound?” Will grinned, and winked at her.
She pummeled his chest in mock anger, and laughed. “Yes, please take her for a walk. Get her out of my sight. Maybe, if you’re good, I’ll make you another milkshake cake for your birthday. And that dog will be at your Mom’s house.”
© 2007
Catrina Bradley
"God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes." Psalm 18:24 (Msg)
