Page 45 of Cloud Storm

“Three cupcakes, I’ll be judging flavor and presentation, you have seventy five minutes starting NOW!”

Roselynn sits on a stool in front of the counter while Katie and I brainstorm ideas.

I’ve got this.

“Let’s start with something easy, jalapeño chocolate cupcake. What do you think?”

She smirks. “You think that’s the easy one?”

“Alrighty then, a Tres Leches one and for the main event, a Tamarindo margarita cupcake. Ready?”

Katie is the best assistant ever. She helps me by sifting the flour. To mix the ingredients while my main focus is to create the perfect blend between them. To participate in this show you need to know your business and I’ve been baking since I was a girl, I can do it with my eyes closed. However, the time and the pressure is a factor.

Plus, I can’t underestimate the competition. That’s a mistake I’m not stupid enough to make. You have to think you’re dueling with the best of the best.

While the batter is in the oven, we start with the frostings.

For the chocolate cupcake, a spicy mix of dark Mexican chocolate with jalapeno and cinnamon. For the Tres Leches, cream cheese, with red cherries ganache and for the last one, I don’t know, a slice of lime?

Give me that shot of tequila right the fuck now!

“Ten minutes,” Roselynn shouts and I’m screaming inside. I want to pull my hair, the cupcakes aren’t ready and we need to decorate them.

“This has too much lime in it,” Katie announces and my nerves spike.

“We need to start again,” I say back.

“Time is running out,” Roselynn shouts, making me jump.

I got this, I got this.

I’m pouring the mix of the Tres Leches over the cupcakes when Roselynn makes a weird sound announcing our time is up.

This can’t be happening, damn it!

“Ariel, relax, my friend. This is just the first training exercise.”

I’m groaning in frustration. I wanted this to be absolute perfection. I want to pull the hair out of my head.

She knows me well.

I’m so angry with myself. And not just for this morning’s failure.

I’m so upset I don’t realize Katie is finishing the décor on the cupcakes and presenting them to my partner and friend.

“I have to say,” she starts. “If these beauties taste as good as they look, we will have to include them on the bakery menu.”

“My favorite is the spicy chocolate,” Katie adds while chewing the second bite.

“I agree,” my friend concedes. “And now what about some Mexican breakfast? We have the beans, the eggs, and the salsa.”

“On it, boss lady,” Katie ends happily while putting herself to work, pan in hand. “We should have a Mexican week here.”

“That isn’t a bad idea,” Roselynn replies.

No, it isn’t a bad idea, but I’m too focused on my failures to take care of it right now.

After a stressful day at work and another round of failed rehearsals, I get back home. I’m so tired, but grateful for feeling this way. My weariness will at least grant me a night of sleep.

---