When Memaw coughed, her tooth came out. It landed in the icing, next to the candle.
I didn’t know a tooth could make a whole cake taste like sand. That’s a kind of magic.
Forks and grit and smiles; we pretend dying tastes like cake. Performing ritual. Hoping for magic.
Cheryl is a writer, scientist, and mom hiding out in the American Midwest.
Very nice.
Well, this made me want to cry. I know the ritual of smiling and pretending everything is groovy while celebrating what is actually, the end of a life and a goodbye. Well done!
Delicious contrast, layered and subtle. Like Tiramisu in 50 words.
Beautifully written…we got the magic!