Page 39 of Emerald Moon
Billie buzzed around in the background doing the work of keeping a bakery open with treats in the cases out front.Jo tried not to watch her work — one, because Billie hated being stared at and, two, watching her made Jo feel weird about their own progress and it was better to focus on their own baking.
Jo piped some Swiss meringue buttercream onto a light purple macaron shell.The buttercream was just right.The macarons, though better than their last attempt, were still not consistent enough.It was fine.They could eat the ugliest ones.The rest were going to come with them to the Crooked Creek Pack’s house.
Krista loved purple.She’d like the color of these, if nothing else.
Jo realized they didn’t know Cass’ favorite color.
Come to think of it, Cass didn’t like sweet things very much, so she probably wouldn’t eat a bunch of macarons.Jo paused, chewing their lip as they thought.
“Hey Billie?”
The response took a moment and all they got was a grunt from their packmate.
“Can I have one of the crusts for the tartlets?”
“Why?”
Jo turned to look at her and found Billie with her arms crossed.
“Just one?”
“Question remains the same.”
“I’m making a tart for someone in the Crooked Creek Pack.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s a nice thing to do.”
“But you’re already making macarons.Unless you’re going to eat all those and be sick.”
“No!I’m bringing them with us, but this person doesn’t like sweets very much.”
“Is this person the one who came and visited you?”
“Yeah.And?”
Billie cracked a grin.“Sure, you can have a crust.But don’t mess up.You’re not getting another.”
Jo gave her an exaggerated bow in thanks.Billie rolled her eyes and continued piping custard.Jo carefully scooped up one of the small tart crusts and brought it over to their station.While they finished the macarons they would decide exactly what they were going to make for Cass.
Making macarons was soothing.They could tune out the humming in their body and the sounds coming from Billie or the bakery, and create something they could give to the people they cared for most.Baking was special.Jo felt like it was the one time they could focus.And, in the end, they had something that was edible, if not always beautiful, and they liked sharing the treats however they looked.
Jo stuck out the tip of their tongue and squeezed the piping bag, filling another macaron.They were vanilla with a hint of lavender, but it really was just a hint.Jo had been worried the floral flavor would take over, and they hadn’t added enough for the flavor to come through.
They lost themselves in the comforting pattern of making macaron shells and filling them until they were surprised to find they had trays of nearly-perfectly piped macarons beside them.Letting a bit of pride slipe into their heart, Jo found a plastic cake carrier and set the macarons inside using concentric circles and layers.It wasn’t perfect, but at least they wouldn’t move too much.They put the tart case on top of them and closed the lid.
“Are you headed out?”Billie asked.
Jo nodded.
“Can I get a macaron before you go?”
Jo beamed.“Yeah, of course!”
Billie walked over and Jo met her in the middle.She opened the cake carrier and let Billie pick one.
“They look nice,” Billie said.
