Chapter 38 - the cake no longer scared me
At the foundation's tenth anniversary, Phoebe surprised Jessi.
A cake.
A large one.
Jessi stared at it.
Everyone waited.
Phoebe grinned.
“Don't worry.”
Jessi laughed.
“No one is allowed near my face.”
The room erupted.
Someone handed Jessi a fork.
She cut the cake herself.
Then she took a bite.
Everyone cheered.
It was ridiculous.
It was funny.
And it mattered.
Because for years, cake had represented humiliation.
Now it represented choice.
Jessi looked at Phoebe.
“You planned this.”
“Yes.”
“You're terrible.”
“I know.”
Jessi laughed.
Her husband leaned toward her.
“You okay?”
She nodded.
“I'm more than okay.”
She looked around the room.
“I'm not afraid of the cake anymore.”
He smiled.
“Good.”
She took another bite.
Then offered him one.
He laughed.
“No.”
“Coward.”
“Absolutely.”
Everyone laughed.
And Jessi realized the memory had finally become harmless.
Not forgotten.
May you like
Just harmless.
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