Natalie hands Maddie the spoon. "Congratulations. You have invented the most aggressively pink frosting in the state of Tennessee."
"Good," Maddie says proudly. "Next we make purple."
Natalie reaches for another bowl while Maddie carries the pink frosting like it's a priceless treasure.
She mixes the red and blue food coloring together while Maddie narrates the process like a cooking show host.
"Now we add the magic colors," Maddie explains.
"Very scientific," I say from the counter.
Natalie starts stirring.
"Look," Maddie says excitedly. "It’s turning purple!"
At that exact moment Daisy appears beside the table.
Before anyone can react Daisy sniffs the edge of the table and bumps the spatula we used to mix the pink frosting. The spatula flips, smacks right into the top of her fluffy poodle afro, and leaves a bright pink streak before it hits the floor and she immediately starts licking it.
"DAISY!" Natalie shouts.
The dog jerks back, startled, and now her entire muzzle is bright pink.
She shakes her head and pink frosting sprays through the air like confetti.
For one stunned second we all stare at the dog.
Daisy sits there proudly in pink, wagging her tail.
Maddie collapses into giggles.
"She looks like a cupcake!"
"Nobody moves," Natalie says quickly, holding both hands up. Daisy sits proudly, licking frosting off the spatula like she just invented dessert. "If that dog walks through this kitchen, everything she touches will turn pink."
"Great," I say. "The dog is armed with frosting and we are all standing in splash range."
"Daisy," Natalie says in a very calm voice, "stay."
The dog tilts her head.
"Stay," Maddie repeats dramatically, holding up a dog treat like a bribe.
"Good strategy," I say. "Negotiation with snacks."
Natalie grabs a damp towel and creeps toward the dog like she is approaching wildlife.
"Don't startle her," she whispers.
"She has frosting on her head," I whisper back. "She already looks startled."
Maddie is laughing so hard she can barely breathe.
Natalie gently wipes the pink streak off Daisy's afro while the dog keeps licking the spatula.
"Okay," Natalie says, concentrating. "If we get the head and the mouth we can still save the kitchen."
"The kitchen appreciates the effort," I say.
