Page 215 of Things Left Unsaid

He picks one up like it could explode in his hand. “So, why do you want to decorate them?”

“It relaxes me. What is this—twenty questions?” I point at the stool. “Sit. It’s rude to hover.”

He does as I order and continues watching me, one elbow on the counter, his fist propping up his chin as he eats. “What are you doing?”

“I just told you.”

“I mean, what’s going on with the stuff in the bag? The frosting’s wet?”

“Oh.”He’s interested.That I can handle. “This style is called wet on wet. See how the base isn’t dry? When you apply the frosting from the piping bag this way, the two melt into each other and it dries flat.”

“Why does it dry flat?”

“It’s a miracle.”

His nose crinkles. “That’s not an answer.”

“The flood,” I explain, pointing to the base with my scribe, “has to be the same consistency as the piping detail or it can cause little craters. But I can use this tool on my piping lines and make pretty patterns.”

For a few minutes, he’s quiet, just watching me complete the design. Then, he asks, “Did you get Mrs. Abelman’s permission to use her kitchen?”

I hum.

It had been less about getting permission and more about reassuring her that I had no desire to take over the cooking in its entirety—no, thank you.

“She must like you. She wouldn’t leave me in the kitchen when we had to bring in cakes for a bake sale. She did all the work and I got the credit for it.”

“Does that seem fair?”

“No, but I didn’t have to bake so that’s something.”

“Didn’t think you were a cheater, Callan.”

I look up quick enough to catch his scowl. “I didn’t cheat.”

“If you say so.”

His tone is disgruntled as he asks, “Have you thought about who you’re competing for at the Pigeonberry Festival?”

“Huh?”

“For the best pie. Mrs. Abelman always wins best jam,” he boasts.

“Good for her,” I reply, humor pricked.

“So?”

“So?”

“Who are you competing for?!”

I just smile at him. “I don’t think I have a choice.”

He scowls at me then grumbles, “What are you designing?”

“Shoes.”

He points to my camera setup. “Why are you filming it?”

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