Johnny:You’re welcome. And don’t worry, I didn’t let Asher into your place. Though, he was genuinely worried. I’ll come by and check on you later.
Ahh, Asher. The absolute last person I wanted to deal with today. Despite his good intentions, he had inadvertently caused my last nervous breakdown, leaving me less than enthusiastic about catching up. Besides, he and the rest of the cast likely knew more details than I did at this point.
A quick message to Brice let him know I was alive but going silent for a couple of days, with instructions to text Johnny in case of emergency. My parents received a similar text assuring them of my well-being, though I couldn’t bring myself to tell them to cancel their plane tickets for opening night. The topic had become too painful to discuss further.
Seeking solace, I drew a bath and added my favorite lavender-scented bath bomb. The long soak lasted until the water turned lukewarm and my skin pruned. Afterward, a quick shower and a change into old sweats preceded an evening in the living room, where AMC’s classic movies provided a welcome escape. Nothing more recent than 1980 would do for my current mood. Thankfully, the 1944 movie ofArsenic and Old Lacewas playing. I folded my legs to the side, and Bootsy nestled in front of me on the couch as we watched.
The credits were rolling when there was a knock on my front door. I wanted to ignore the knocks for fear it was someone coming to check on me. Bootsy eyed me, and I rolled my eyes and dragged myself to the door. I checked the peephole. Kirk stood on my doorstep. I opened the door. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah, just wanted to see if you had any milk. I’m in the midst of a cooking emergency. I’m supposed to be baking cookies for a party tonight. I haven’t done this in years, so I’m freaking out a bit.” He had a wide-eyed frazzled look of a man feeling out of place in the kitchen, which was surprising since he was a superb cook.
“Let me grab the milk, and I’ll be right over.”
“Thanks.” He spun and hurried next door. If this was his attempt to get me out of my apartment today, it worked. I went over to the fridge and was about to leave with the milk, but left Bootsy a saucer full in case I didn’t come back with any. I also needed to make sure it was still good.
Bootsy lapped it up, and I smelled it, so I headed next door to Kirk’s cooking emergency. I knocked on the door, and he practically flung the door open.
“Oh, thank you!”
He reached out and grabbed the milk from my outstretched hand and flew back into his kitchen. I wasn’t exactly invited in, but he hadn’t shut the door.
The kitchen looked like a bomb had gone off. “Whoa,” was all I got out.
“This is a disaster!” Kirk said, throwing his arms in the air.
“What’s the problem?” I may not cook, but I know a little something about baking cookies.
“I’m supposed to be bringing two dozen of my grandmother’s cookies, and something is just wrong. I’ve tried the recipe three times, and it’s not right.”
“Can I see the recipe?” I asked politely, in case it was some secret family formula that only three people in the world could ever see.
He handed me the index card, and I read it. Seemed perfectly logical to me. “Do you mind if I send it to Amani?”
“Sure.”
I took a picture of the recipe and sent it to Amani’s phone. He texted back immediately.
Amani:Please don’t tell me you’re baking. I don’t want the building to burn down.
Erika:Ha, Ha! It’s not for me. Kirk’s recipe is missing something.
Amani:The recipe doesn’t mention toasting the anise seeds. This can impact the flavor profile.
“Kirk, are you toasting the anise seeds first?” I asked.
“Should I be?” he responded.
“That’s what Amani said. Apparently, toasting them can ‘impact the flavor profile.’” I said in my best Amani imitation.
“Okay, let’s give it a try.”
I texted Amani back, thanking him for his help, and promised to let him know if the toasting was the magic culprit. In no time, Kirk had the anise seeds toasted and into the pizzelle maker on his kitchen counter. As soon as the first one was finished, he got it out and let it cool for a second before taking a bite.
Kirk’s immediate look of satisfaction was all I needed to know about our success. He ripped it in half and gave me the other part. I relished each bite and watched as Kirk made pizzelle after pizzelle.
“You know, if you’re not doing anything tonight, you could come with me to this party. Carissra was going to go but then went down to DC to spend time with an old friend. The hosts of the party are expecting me with a plus one.”
“I wouldn’t want to intrude. And I’m not sure I’m in the mood to be around people.”
