Baking Tornadoes

Dylus Hale

I stood there in Will and Liam's kitchen, my face covered in flour, and those idiots were laughing so hard that there were tears coming out of their eyes.

“You guys are absolute idiots! Why did I agree to this?” I said.

My black t-shirt and sweatpants were also covered in a thin film of flour.

“Sorry, Dylus. It's my fault for spilling the flour,” said Will.

“Yes, that's right.”

I gathered up the remainder that was on the floor and threw it at them while chuckling.

Serves them right.

“Eh? Are you thinking what I'm thinking?” asked Liam.

“Flour fight?!” they spoke in unison.

“No more spilled flour. Let's clean up and bake these damn cupcakes.”

“Okay, fine,” sighed Liam.

I dusted off the flour with a paper towel, washed my face, and the twins swept it with a broom and dustpan.

The kitchen had a window, a large oven with four stovetops, and various cat decorations with striped wallpaper.

We spent 30 minutes looking at various baking videos. There was no electric beater, but we did have a whisk.

“Tell me the instructions, I'll add the ingredients, and you guys can handle the mixing,” I said.

“Okay,” said Liam.

After adding the ingredients with shaky hands, I wondered how my mom handled this with such steadiness.

I hadn't seen her in forever. The last time was more than a year ago, when my parents could no longer bear to even look at each other.

Sighing, I added the baking powder and soda to the eggs and butter.

“Is it ready for mixing?” asked Liam.

“Yep. Go ahead, do it…”

Liam began to whip up a tornado in the kitchen.

“... Carefully.”

Wil, who wore a grey t-shirt and black knee-length shorts, said, “Relax, Liam.”

Liam, in the black t-shirt and grey shorts, handed the batter over with a frown and knitted eyebrows.

“You've got to do it carefully, but with speed like an electric mixer!’ said Wil.

He began whisking it even faster than I expected.

“Umm…” I said.

“Preheat the oven, Dylus! Preheat the oven,” said Liam.

“Hmm. Sure.”

Maybe I'm the one who needs to relax.

“Go ahead and grease the pan,” I instructed.

“Okie dokie,” said Liam.

In a matter of 20 minutes, we had a fresh batch, piping with steam.

“That smells divine,” I said.

The twins nodded and smiled at each other.

Wil took it out of the oven and exclaimed, “Huh? I thought it was a round cupcake pan? Why are they heart-shaped?”

Oh my God. Not again! What did I do to deserve this? It's as if fate is mocking me for being single. I'd devour these just to forget that I baked them. They are for sale, though…

Liam removed one wrapper from the pan and said, “Yeah, it's a round pan. Hold up, it must be cursed!”

“Probably,” I scoffed.

“Liam, in what way is a heart shape a sign of a curse?” said Wil.

“That's what the demon wants you to think. Soon, he'll have you sacrificing your actual heart… boo…” said Liam.

He removed a tablecloth from the freezer, pulled it over his head, and continued to say, “boo” to Wil, who just rolled his eyes.

Is it just me, or are these idiots acting even more childish than usual? Who would've thought they're 22?

“Come on, guys. Let's bake the rest of the treats,” I said.

“Okie dokie.”

Once again, the round sugar cookies were spread out into hearts.

“Oh, come on!” I yelled.

I almost banged the burning cookie sheet on the table, but refrained from doing so.

Liam said, “Oh. My God. Oh, my God! We're cursed… by Cupid!”

Wil looked at me and shrugged.

“Liam, you're making your future date with Bianca your whole personality,” said Wil.

“Wil, it was supposed to be a secret!” said Liam.

Huh? Was it Liam who asked her out? He was from our class, so it makes sense. Liam is an idiot, though. I hope she'll be okay.

“Relax, Liam. I should have figured it out by now that it was you.”

“Okay! Do you approve?” asked Liam.

“Why are you asking for my approval? This is between the two of you.”

“I'll take that as a yes!”

I nodded and gave a thumbs up, but didn't change my facial expression.

It was dark by the time we were done baking.

“See you at the bake sale tomorrow, Dylus!” said Liam.

“Do I have to go?” I asked.

“Obviously,” said Wil.

I groaned and said, “Okay. I'll see you after work.”

“You can invite your girlfriend,” said Liam.

“What girlfriend? I don't have one.”

“It's okay, Dylus. You'll get one someday.”

“You're just trying to make me feel bad,” I said.

“Hehe.”

“Ugh. Bye.”

The twins waved as I left. My phone beeped, and I smiled while waiting for the bus.

Maria: So, what are you doing now?

Dylus: I’m finally done baking.

Maria: OH. Best of luck with the sale!

Then, I wondered if I should ask her to accompany me there. We weren’t even friends at this point, but I could use her presence as an excuse to leave the booth and look around. I hoped they wouldn’t mistake her for my girlfriend, though. She could be offended by that, who knows? Then again, the whole fiasco with the doll…

I chuckled softly to myself and boarded the bus.

Dylus: Do you have any plans tomorrow? Could we meet up?

Maria: No, I don’t. Where do you want to meet? 😀

Dylus: I’d be honored to have you at the bake sale. We’re donating to the cancer foundation.

Maria: Wow, sounds good. I’ll confirm within tonight.

Dylus: Okay, see you.

By the time I reached home, there was a full moon, and soft, white petals floated in the wind with a sweet fragrance. The air was rather cold, so rubbed my hands together before entering.

I entered the apartment building, went up the elevator, and hummed a familiar lullaby.

Unlocking the door, I decided to attempt to call my mother one more time. Just as always, the call went through, but no one picked up.

When will I see you again?

I warmed up my leftovers for dinner, and all of a sudden, I heard my phone ring.

It must be Liam or Bianca, or I don’t know, Maria?

My eyes widened as I saw my mother’s name. My heart began beating in my ears, and I swallowed with my dry mouth.

“Hello? Mom?” I said.

“This isn’t Lilly,” said a man’s voice.

“Who are you?”

“I’m her husband. Are you her son?”

“Yes. Yes, I am.”

I clenched my teeth.

“Good. I’ve been trying to tell her to meet you. She just won’t listen. I’ll try to convince her.”

I let out a puff of air.

“Really? Thank you!”

“My pleasure.”

He cut me off.

Maybe good does exist in this world.