“No, don’t use this?” he clarifies.
“No. It’ll strip the oils.” I show him what I use to clean and oil it. “And then for any stains, I use lemon, vinegar, or baking soda.”
“Ah, okay. Sorry ’bout that. I thought maybe I could make your job a little easier, and I just about botched things up!”
“No worries,” I tell him. “It was sweet of you.”
Uncle Hal pops out of the pantry, holding a clipboard. “Did you know you’re low on baking powder?”
My lips twitch. “You two are awake awfully early. It’s still dark out. You shouldn’t torture yourselves this way.”
“We want to help,” Papa says. “It seems like you’re overwhelmed.”
“Really? I mean, I’m often overwhelmed or running low on sleep, but I don’t feel especially so right now.”
“You yelled at Camden,” Uncle Hal says. “We’ve never heard you even slightly raise your voice at anyone, so we drew the logical conclusion that you must be exhausted and need help.”
“I’m touched that you’re concerned about me, but I really am okay. Camden and I…we just don’t see eye to eye on anything. We haven’t for a long time.”
“But you were so close!” Papa says.
“Things change.”
He moves in front of me and puts his hands on my arms.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” he asks.
I nod. “I am.”
A little voice inside screams that I’m not being one hundred percent honest here, but I ignore it.
“We’d still enjoy helping,” Uncle Hal says, grinning. “Put us to work.”
I shrug. “Okay, you asked for it.”
For the next couple of hours, it’s a miracle that I’m able to get anything done. Uncle Hal spills flour everywhere, and Papa usedbaking powder instead of powdered sugar in the cream cheese frosting.
“Oh, I see the difference now,” he says when he puts his glasses on.
I expect them to call it a day once Suzanne arrives for her shift, or maybe when the cafe opens, but they’re still going strong.
That sayingToo many cooks in the kitchen…
I’m seeing it firsthand.
Papa and Uncle Hal are everywhere.
Goldie and Erin come in and light up when they see them. There are hugs all around, and then Goldie leans in.
“Howareyou this morning?” she asks.
“I’m great. Why does everyone keep asking me that?”
“No reason,” she says quickly. “It’s so good to see Papa Hector and Uncle Hal.”
“They look great,” Erin says.
“I’m so happy they’re in town. But I’m having to watch them like a hawk. They want to help, but baking isn’t really their specialty.”
