Free 2 Multiple Exposures by Audrey Claire

me. I had decided to let her enjoy herself. After all, she didn’t have a husband or kids, so there were no grandkids either to dote on. All she had was me, and since I didn’t have any family left either, it was a perfect arrangement.
    “I wasn’t sure what you had for lunch, dear or how long it had been, so I made these snacks. I hope you like them. Please, help yourself.”
    “Edna, you have a sixth sense,” I assured her. “I’m starving. I skipped lunch, and my appetite is back with a vengeance. Yum! These are delicious as usual.”
    The older woman’s eyes sparkled as she watched me eat. “Save room for dessert.”
    “I will, but even if I don’t, can I take some home?”
    She grinned. “Of course. This is your cake, Makayla. Nothing gives me pleasure like cooking for others. That’s why I keep trying to help Talia. She’s awful though. She’ll never learn.”
    I burst out laughing. “Is it really that bad?”
    Edna waved her hand. “Worse. She has no patience and no finesse. Just slings around the ingredients everywhere and fusses at me when it doesn’t turn out right.”
    “Aw, that sounds terrible. I’m sorry.”
    “I’m not.” Edna raised her glass of tea and drained a good third. Then she began heaping more tiny sandwiches onto my plate. I was starting to think I needed to go through with joining John and Allie Kate’s gym. If only to control the calories I took on from Edna’s cooking. You didn’t think I was going to give it up, did you? Let’s be serious here.
    I wanted to talk to Edna about the Dr. Bloomberg case, but the ugliness of the situation disturbed my stomach. So, I put it off. Instead, I brought up her hint that she had a secret to share.
    “My secret! I almost forgot.” Somehow I doubted that the way she covered her mouth with both hands, scrunching her shoulders like a little kid, and eyes rivaling Spector’s in their size. Without the generous sprinkling of wrinkles in various places on her face, neck, and hands, and the headful of gray curls, I might have thought she was a child.
    I came to the conclusion she wanted me to beg to be told, so I laid down my napkin and leaned toward her. “Tell me, tell me, Edna. Did you win the lottery?”
    She giggled and dragged her hands down from her mouth. “No, I don’t care about money.”
    I tapped a finger to my lips. “Hm, what do you care about?”
    Glancing around the kitchen, I spied the neat collection of cookbooks all lined up on the counter with climbing kitten bookends on either side. One of the books lay open, I assumed to the recipe for the cake she had made today. What was interesting was this particular book wasn’t bound like the commercial ones. This book looked as if it had been handwritten in, maybe the recipes Edna had created herself. If so, I was more impressed with her skills.
    “Food?” I suggested. “Desserts?”
    Edna clapped. “Yes! I’m going to be the new baker for The Donut Hole!”
    “You’re kidding? That’s wonderful, Edna.” I gave her a hug, and her rosy cheeks grew pinker. “I’d heard Peony planned to expand into specially made cakes and things, even taking orders.”
    Edna’s head bobbled in the affirmative. “That’s for me. I’ll be the one making the cakes and decorating them for the customers, like for birthdays and anniversaries. I’m so excited, Makayla. You can’t imagine how useful I feel, an old lady like me.”
    I hugged her again. “Well, Peony couldn’t have chosen a more perfect and skilled pâtissier. I’m very glad for you. Have you told your friends yet?”
    Edna sat back in her seat, a self-satisfied grin on her face. “No, not yet. You’re the first to know. What do you think Talia will say?” She giggled again, and I shook my head.
    “I’m sure she’ll be happy for you.”
    “She’ll be jealous.”
    “Then I’m sure she will get over it.”
    “Or not.” Edna was enjoying herself too much. “Do you know how many times she’s reminded me