Victory Cake for V E Day

“Victory Cake”

The streets of Ottawa nonetheless echoed with tune, whilst twilight spilled over Parliament Hill. Flo closed her entrance door softly, muffling the town’s jubilation. The crimson paper flags fluttered on her porch, the one a part of the celebration she’d introduced dwelling.

Within the quiet of her kitchen, the scent of vanilla and burnt sugar lingered. The cake had risen good that morning — golden, barely cracked, the way in which James preferred it. She’d baked it earlier than the solar got here up, her arms regular regardless of the ache in them. Victory Day had arrived, and the conflict was over. However James would by no means know.

She set a single plate on the desk. No candles. No toasts. Simply the cake, his favourite: honey sponge with a contact of lemon. He used to say it reminded him of their honeymoon in Prince Edward County — candy, mild, just like the wind close to the lake.

Flo sliced the cake with care, plating two parts. One for her. One for the silence throughout from her.

A clock ticked someplace behind her. Exterior, the town roared with pleasure. However right here, within the stillness of her kitchen, she lifted her fork, closed her eyes, and tasted what remained of affection on Might 8, 1945.

– Patti Friday