How To Ice A Cake And Change Your Life – by Hugh W. Roberts
I was so proud when I received the certificate for my professional grade in cake decorating. I’d recently been made redundant and needed a new skill.
Being the only man in the 18-week course had its advantages. By week three, Kate made it clear how much she liked me. But there was a problem. I had been married for 12 years and still deeply loved my wife. This inner conflict deeply troubled my feelings, and for a while, I was torn between my devotion to her and my growing attraction to Kate.
By week 13, not only had Kate changed my life, but the love I had for my wife had slowly dripped away, leaving behind an almost forgotten heavy burden of guilt and regret for the betrayal. However, I was proud that I could now bake and ice cakes, something I’d always dreamed about doing professionally.
But a tiny part of me wasn’t proud of my situation regarding my affair. I couldn’t deny the sense of self-worth a much younger woman found me attractive and (in her words) loved me. Yet, a more significant part of me felt I was on top of the world.
Then, during the last week of the course, the week before Christmas, everything eventually came together. As I finished plastering the wall next to the fireplace, I questioned what I’d done over the past six months. Feel proud, I kept telling myself. Briefly, a dark cloud hung over me and only dispersed when there was a loud knock on the front door.
“Have you done it?” asked Kate as she pushed past me as I opened the door to her.
“I told you not to keep coming here; the neighbours will see.” I protested. “We need to give it more time.”
“To hell with the neighbours; I want proof that you love me,” replied Kate. “Show me what you learned at the cake decorating class.”
I thought she wanted to see the Christmas cake I’d iced, but she went to the living room and stood before the fireplace.
“Nice work!” Kate announced. “I’m proud of you for what you have done for me. Is she..?” she asked, pointing at the newly plastered wall.
Icing cakes not only helped me get a new job as a professional cake maker but also taught me how to plaster the remains of my wife’s body behind a brick wall of the fireplace.
Written for Esther Chilton’s writing prompt – Feeling Proud.
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