Page 110 of Babies at Coconuts

“Sure, Mom. We’ll line up fifty weddings for you. You can handle that many in a year, right?”

“Ha. Very funny. How about keeping it to two or three? I need grandma time too, you know. See you in a few.”

The three friends made their way through throngs of women toward the stage. Observing the packed crowd, Alex said, “I wonder where Cheri is.”

Hope glanced from side to side. “She’s probably backstage.”

The women stepped toward the raised platform. On display were three bare cakes atop three tables draped in black. At least one hundred white chairs were arranged theatre style in front of the stage.

Alex rushed to the front row and grabbed three chairs. She stood in front of two folding chairs, put her purse in a third, and motioned to her friends to hurry since the seats were filling in quickly.

Grabbing the back of a chair, Suzy swayed.

“Again?” Alex asked.

Hope reached for Suzy’s arm to steady her. “You’ve got to go to the doctor. I’m worried about you. Maybe you should get an MRI.” She shot Alex a worried glance.

Suzy took a seat. “If it lasts much longer, I will. Maybe I have the flu. It could be from all of the Bridal Bonanza prep, helping Jon and Fernando move, the baby, you know, lots going on. I’m probably dehydrated.”

“Want me to get you some water?” Hope asked.

“No, we’ll miss the show. I’ll be fine.”

“You probably caught something dreadful after shaking everyone’s hand at your booth.” Alex dug in the center section of her red purse and retrieved a tiny green bottle. “Want some antibacterial gel?”

Suzy laughed. “I couldn’t catch anything within hours. I’m sure it’s nothing. I’ve been crazy busy for weeks, that’s all. I’m probably not eating enough.”

Alex and Hope exchanged glances as they took seats on either side of Suzy in front of the stage. “Stop worrying. Let’s watch.”

The three friends sat down as an emcee asked everyone to take a seat and turn their attention to the stage.

Alex rubbed her hands together. “This is going to be fun.”

Hope scanned the crowd. “I wish we could have seen Cheri beforehand, so she knows we’re here.”

“Me too.” Suzy shrugged. “I was too busy with my booth.”

The greasy-haired announcer with a megaphone voice lifted his arms in a V-shape as if he were about to dance to the “YMCA” song. “Hello, everyone! Are you ready for our exciting wedding cake competition?”

The crowd yelled an enthusiastic, “Yes.”

Voice booming, the tall, tux-wearing emcee continued. “We have three amazing chefs who will enthrall you today. I’m sure our prospective brides will be in awe and want to hire all of them. Never fear. I’ll bring our celebrity chefs out momentarily. First, a few instructions.” The host waited until the crowd grew silent. “Remember, this is a timed competition. The bakers will need to concentrate.”

The announcer dramatically pulled out a stopwatch and dangled it back and forth in the air. “When our contestants begin, I’ll time them as they decorate their respective cakes.” He waved his hand with a flourish. “Each chef baked the naked cakes you see here.” Chuckling at his lame joke, he pointed a finger toward the audience.

“You’ll be the judge of the most beautifully decorated cake in the least amount of time.” The host gestured toward three glass bowls underneath each cake pedestal and made another sweeping motion with his hand. “When the contest is over, vote for the most beautiful wedding cake by dropping a pink square of paper into the appropriate bowl.” He wagged his finger. “And no cheating.”

The audience roared.

The cheesy man surveyed the room, clearly enjoying his moment. He tweaked his handlebar moustache for added effect.

Alex groaned. “Where did they find this joker?”

Hope giggled. “I like him. He’s weird but fun.”

Alex wrinkled her nose. “You must be kidding.”

Spreading his arms wide, the host said, “Without further ado, let’s bring out our celebrity chefs.”

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