Wedding Cake

Ilya (Reality - 10hr before incident)

Sean's last message was anything but patient. I had already decided it shouldn't matter but I find myself quickening my pace. Around the corner and then across the street. I open the doors and hear the familiar bell ringing for a new person walking through the door. Sean is waiting at the front counter, sipping his coffee.

"Hey," I say.

"Hey," he says.

We stand apart from each other for an awkward amount of time. I clear my throat.

"Did you have fun on your trip?" Sean says.

"Oh yeah. It was a lot of fun."

“That’s great. Tell me about it.”

We chat about my trip and I feel the mood lighten a bit. Sean buys me coffee and while we chat. I recount the beach days and summer air I felt going back home and how much I missed it. It is a tad depressing comparing it to the dreary rainy weather here. 

I sip on my vanilla latte and savour the refreshing aroma with every sip. It feels good to be back in a familiar space with and a familiar face, enjoying the pleasant atmosphere. I clench my fingers on the cup and then stroke my thumbs together. 

“I’m worried about Indie,” Sean says, focusing my attention back to him and our conversation. “She’s been acting different.”

“Oh, is that so?” I say.

“Yeah.”

“Different how?”

Sean goes on to explain to me the differences in Indie’s behaviour since I left. Apparently she’s been sleeping in, opening the cafe late, running out of stock more than usual, going on lunch breaks for long periods of time and the list goes on. It is very unusual of her, especially considering how much effort she puts into this place. I’ve never heard of her slipping this bad in the year and a half since she took ownership of the cafe. It isn’t like her.

“I’ll go talk to her,” I say.

“Good,” Sean says. He puts his coat on and places his dishes on the dish counter. Just before he makes his leave he says, “Ilya.”

“Yes?” I say, staring into his eyes directly. 

“Don’t you ever leave like that again.”

“Like what?”

Sean shrugs and leaves. I’m left pondering but am also tired of playing dumb to ease my subconscious.

I make my way to the display case and gaze at the treats within. Exquisite loafs, muffins, tarts, and pastries are concealed within but I note there are much less than usual.

I hear a crash in the back room. My eyes light up.

“Indie?” I say, walking towards the back room. “Is that you?”

“Ilya?”

I enter the back room and it’s a complete mess. Ingredient spills cover the floor and dirty dishes are scattered all around. I look towards Indie’s latest cake project on the mounted cake spinner that’s leaning ever so slightly to the left. A large piece inevitably falls onto the counter.

Indie smiles at me. I open my arms and she accepts my hug. 

“It’s so great to see you,” Indie says. “We missed you.”

“It’s great to see you too.”

Indie and I pull apart and I motion towards the dishevelled cake. 

“Trying something new here?” I ask.

“No. This is for the wedding.”

“It is? Is it for-“

“Yes.”

“Oh- when’s-“

“Soon.”

“Oh- I thought there was still time.”

Indie smiles weakly and her smile fades. She covers her eyes, walks to the table with the cake, and sinks to the floor.

“Ilya I don’t know what’s wrong with me,” Indie says. “I’m losing my touch.”

“Oh Indie,” I say, making my way to her side. “It’s okay. I can help. Just tell me what to do. I can harvest some more ingredients too.”

Indie uncovers her eyes. “Thank you. But there’s not enough time.”

“Surely there is-“

“Pan was supposed to pick up the cake an hour ago. I told him I was feeling unwell and couldn’t finish. He completely chewed my ear out for not admitting to it sooner.”

Indie’s eyes are puffy and a slight shade of pink. Her cheeks are wet.

“I’m an awful friend.”

“Indie-“ I say. “No you’re not.”

We stay silent for a moment.

“What will you do with that?” I say.

Indie glances over to her cake project and shrugs. She stands up, grabs a plate and hands it to me. I smile. 

“Don’t mind if I do.”

We sit together, eating peacefully. We chat about my trip back home and Indie mostly stays quiet but listens intently. We eat every last bite of the cake and it taste delicious as usual. Indie is definitely not losing her touch - maybe just presentation skills. 

“I can’t believe we ate all of it,” I say.

“Yeah,” Indie says.

“Doesn’t it serve like thirty people?”

“Well a large part of it did fall onto the counter. And it was only meant to serve ten to fifteen but yeah.”

“Well it is delicious as usual.”

I tap Indie’s face with some cream and she breathes out a sigh. I then shake her left arm gently.

“Why don’t we get started on a new one?”

“What? We’d have to start completely from scratch.”

“We must have some time. Sean was just here.”

“He was pissed too.”

“There has to be some time. I just got back and I’m sure I booked a flight that would give me some time before it starts.”

“You’ve been gone so long,” Indie says. “The ceremony starts in half an hour.”

My heart sinks. I knew it was close but how could’ve I been so careless? I didn’t even realize. 

“Well we should at the very least show up.” I say, extending my hand to Indie.

Indie looks into my eyes sheepishly. “I can’t. Not like this.”

I stare at Indie who wears a stained white button down and jeans. She definitely wasn’t dressed for a wedding occasion and neither was I. 

“They’re our best friends,” I say. “Aren’t we still going to show up?”

“I don’t know. Were you?”

I freeze. Indie knew exactly what has plagued my mind for months maybe even longer. I just wish I knew the difference between what was right and what I wished was right.