Charlotte Bakes (short story)

“Be good
till mommy comes back.”

Mommy drives away,
Leaving me with grandma.

Grandma’s house is very quiet,
her toys are different,
and her books are long. 

So I hold my Pooch and sit by the window,
Waiting for mommy.

Clink, Clink, Clink!

Grandma opens the cupboard,
high above the oven.

“Let’s bake cupcakes!”
Grandma calls from the kitchen.
“Charlotte be the baker!”

One by one,
goodies line-up
neatly along the countertop.

Flour like snow.
Flour like sand.
Sugar’s always powdery white.

Measure a cup.
Measure two cups.
We mix’em in a bowl.

Eggs crack.
Butter melts.

Mix and stir
Around and round.

Pour two spoons
into little cups

Pop ‘em in the oven.

I point to the large clock
Grandma nods and smiles.

When our kitchen smells sweet,
“All ready!” says Grandma.

Make the frosting,
mix the colors.

Red for raspberries.
Blue for blueberries.

Spread n’ swirl
One by one.

I spread the last one blue,
Grandma dabs a touch of red
I love this cupcake in red and blue!

One for me, One for you.

And one for....
“MOMMY’s BACK!” I cry.
“Look!”

Mommy opens her eyes big,
“Wow! Did Charlotte bake all that?”

I nod at Grandma.
Grandma winks at me.

Take a bite
Chew, chew, chew
Till our cheeks swell.

“What do you say?” asks mommy.
But, I pull mommy's jacket and look at my feet.

Load the cupcakes
Load the car.

Hop in,
Buckle up,
We’re going home.

"Wait!" I run… 
and jump into Grandma’s arms
“This one for you!”

My favorite
In red and blue.