I’m not sure how well this plan was thought through.
Brian
I think, probably, there should betwofirst prize winners. Honestly, what was I thinking hosting a gingerbread mansion decorating contest whenFrankworks here? Obviously, she wins. Lunch break’s barely started this fine Monday afternoon, and yet she’s built nothing short of a gingerbread castle out of the ingredients I’ve supplied.
Seriously.
I didn’t even see her do it.
It’s like I’m distracted or something…
My attention glides toward Amelia’s creation—a stack of letters with frosting seals—and I sigh into a smile as her tongue peeks out while she works on icing another letter for the collection.
“Frank?” I pose.
Frank cocks her head as she assembles wings. “Yeah?”
“Is that a dragon?”
“Maybe.”
Yeah, Frank wins. This is actually not fair to anyone else.
Frank wins, because skillz. And Amelia wins, because mail.
This is probably why I have a co-judge, to keep me true. Turning to Ruby, I say, “What do you think, judge buddy?”
Arms folded, Ruby grips her white cane and mutters, “I think I’m only here because you conned my brother into making the gingerbread for you, and I want some. Also—” She points towardher whistling husband, who is making a…mess. He’s making a mess. I don’t know that whatever is on the table in front of him can be considered anything but a mess. “—he wins.”
I wince. “I can assure you, he does not.”
Ruby sniffs. “Does.”
Alrighty, then. That’s three people tied for first, one skillz, two nepotism.
This was, obviously, a great idea!
Running my fingers through my hair, I lose my co-judge to her husband and think, maybe, I should reevaluate my life choices. Casting that silly thought aside, I find my way to my future wife, whom I caught trying to wipe down a counter this morning.
Poor thing.
I’m sure she’ll learn soon.
But if she refuses, I am not above getting a gun safe to house all our cleaning supplies.
“That is adorable,” I say.
Single glitter sprinkle by single glitter sprinkle, Amelia decorates the edges of one of her gingerbread letters. “Th-thank you.” She smiles. “I do think you’re biased, though.”
Oh, undeniably. “Me? Biased? Just because you’re my favorite person here?” I place a hand to my heart. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
Wide brown eyes pull up off her cute letter pile. Cheeks deepening with pink, Amelia gulps. “I did mean because…it’s mail.”
Yes, I do realize that. But far be it from me to pass up a perfect opportunity to remind you that you’re precious. “Oh,” I note, basically oblivious. “I do suppose that plays a part. However small.”
Her lashes flutter, as though she does not believe me, but she goes back to adding the last of her glitter sprinkles without aword. Once finished, she pushes one of those strands of hair she always keeps out of her bun back and smiles down at her work.
I stare.