Inktober 2019 5 - Build
Bree tried not to inhale as she poured the confectioners’ sugar. Despite her best efforts to pour it slowly, the sugar still tried to escape the confines of the mixing bowl. She’d always been a messy baker, and today was no exception. The kitchen smelled wonderful, though. Two mocha cakes sat cooling on the rack behind her and the vanilla added its own scent as it joined the sugar in the bowl. A splash of milk, and she fired up the mixer. As usual, the texture didn’t come out quite right, and Bree spent a few minutes adding more milk until she was satisfied with the consistency.
Now that her “mortar” was ready, it was time for the “bricks”. She carefully sliced both cakes in half again to give her four layers of springy, moist, chocolate goodness. Bree also sliced off the slight mound in the center of the two top layers so her cake would be perfectly even. The resulting crumbles also gave the opportunity to taste test the cakes, and they were delicious. A glob of icing in the middle of the cake plate would keep the first layer from sliding, and then the construction began. Mocha cake, buttercream frosting, sliced strawberries, and repeat. Once all the layers were in place, she carefully applied frosting onto the sides, dipping her offset spatula in water here and make all the surfaces smooth. Then she used the remaining sliced strawberries to decorate the sides and top. She placed her completed masterpiece in the refrigerator to cool and firm up. Then she set to cleaning the disaster area that her kitchen had become.
As she finished up, she glanced at her watch - almost time. 7 in the evening meant it was 8 in the morning in Japan, so Carla would be getting ready to leave for work. Bree pulled the cake out of the refrigerator and placed a candle on it, one of those tall candles that looks like a sparkler when lit. She put it down in front of her laptop camera, fired up Skype, and lit the candle.
Carla answered immediately, and laughed when she saw the cake instead of her sister’s face. Bree crowded into view next to the cake and shouted “Happy 23rd birthday!”
“Aw, thanks Sis! It looks yummy!
Bree faced the cake and pursed her lips. “Make a wish!”
Carla closed her eyes for a moment, then laughed again when Bree dramatically blew out the candle.
“What did you wish for?”
“That I could taste that cake. I miss your baking. I miss you.”
Bree pushed the cake aside and leaned forward on her elbows. “I miss you too. But you’ll be home in 4 more months. I’m jealous of all the adventures you’re having.”
Carla quirked her mouth on one side. “You can’t eat adventures.”
“I suppose not.” She blew a kiss into the camera. “Go to work. We’ll talk more later.”
Later, Bree cut a piece of the cake, carefully placed it in a plastic container, and relegated it to the freezer. Carla would still get her birthday cake when she came home.