Sweet Like Friendship

Day 313

When did it become passé for adults to throw birthday parties? 

I’m not talking about when we usher in the big ones.  Those are like a changing of the guard, an orchestrated hooray that says, “Hello, new decade!”  Or, “Forty is the new thirty!”

I mean the little birthdays that sneak up on us or slide past unnoticed.

My friend Martha asked me several weeks ago to bake a special cake for her birthday.  “I haven’t had a birthday cake in years,” she confessed.  “And I’m taking matters into my own hands.”  Just like a woman.  We know how to get something done, don’t we?    

“Send the bill to Bobby,” she’d laugh whenever she called to talk about the ingredients or decorations.  

Oh, honey.  Don’t you know I’m not going to charge your husband?  Consider it my contribution to your party because we’re friends and that’s what friends do. 

I cream the sugar and butter for three minutes to assure air bubbles lighten the batter to the consistency of a cloud.  I add the eggs one at a time, blending each one until the batter turns a golden yellow.  I sift the flour to remove any lumps.  I want this cake to taste as good as friendship.  Sweet and wanting another slice.