A Slice of Chocolate Cake

Knock! Knock! Knock!

A couple answers the door with a bright smile. Very inviting, they let two bright and colorful caterers. They showed them to the kitchen area to set for their presentation. The gentlemen set up their samples and presentation. The couple waited with anticipation. It was the layout for their wedding reception.

“With further ado, I am Ted and this is Timothy. We are from, as you know, Creative Pastry and Dining for all your dining needs. We have selected from your suggestions the best things that would fit your palette on your big day.”

The taller man, Ted, delivered the opening speech as his assistant set up the plates. The couple, Janice and Todd, sat in great anticipation. They held hands in eagerness staring at the marvelous samples. The caterers brought out the cakes first. They plated three different types of cakes. They handed them tiny forks and the cakes to try. Timothy checked his watch and proceeded to count from ten.

“Nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two and game time.”

The couple passed out as the men threw on gloves. They laid them flat on the floor making sure they did not receive any bruises. They began to ransack the house. Starting in the kitchen, they took all the silver and gold. They moved swiftly to the front room and dining room collection and type of trinkets.

“Hey Ted, are you ready to move to the bedrooms to get this over with?”

“Yeah but how much sedatives did you put in the cake?”

“Enough to knock them out for hours.”

They laughed as one took the guest room and one took the bedroom. Timothy, being in the master bedroom, hit the jackpot. Everything from small stashes of cash to jewelry was in his eyesight. He pocketed a few hundred dollars while his partner came up short.

“Are you done over there?”

After receiving no answer, Ted went into the bathroom. He flushed the toilet, washed his hand and rummaged through the medicine cabinet. Toothpaste, headache relievers and cough medicine. Nothing special Ted thought to himself. As he begins to close the cabinet he spots a bright colored emergency allergy shot.

“Tim? Tim?!”

Ted ran from the bathroom into the dining room where they left the couple. Tim was sobbing holding her head. Janice's face was swelling and he can her gasps for air.

“What the hell did you do?”

“I...I don’t know..”

Tim wasn’t sure how this happened. He double checked the prerequisite sheets they make everyone fill out. Any food allergies would have been handled with care. All he can remember is no coconut. That was it; coconut.

“Tim, I'll be right back!”

Ted rushed to the bathroom. He grabbed the shot from the medicine cabinet and darted out to where he left them. He hovered over Janice for a second and looked Tim square in the eye.

“She may wake up right away. She is definitely going to call the cops. That means no head start. On the other hand we wouldn’t become accidental murderers. What is your choice?”

“What do you mean, what is my choice? Save her! Save her now!”

Tim is rocking back and forth sobbing uncontrollably. Ted, without breaking his gaze, stabbed her in the arm with it. He released the medicine and pulled it out. He got up as Tim sat crippled with guilt. Ted stopped to ask one more question as Janice was coming to.

“What was your big plan after we stopped pulling these two-bit jobs?”

“Own a bakery.”

“How ironic.”

Sitting in a crowded visiting room, Tim looked around bewildered. He hasn’t had a visit in years let alone know anyone named Austin. Time passed and he turned to the guards to ask to go back. Just as he is about to get up he hears a familiar voice.

“How are you, old friend?”

Tim couldn’t believe it. In front of him was Ted. He always thought he would never show up. Last time he saw him was the day he was arrested. He thought he made off with everything and left like planned.

“Thought you forgot about me. A week before I get out, what do I owe the pleasure?”

“After we parted ways, I had some thinking to do. I stumbled through a few jobs and crews but wasn’t the same. So I hung it up and went legit. Still want to be a baker?”

“Yeah. I wrote a whole plan and-”

“Take this paper and meet me there when you get out.”

Ted stood up and walked away from the table. Tim looked at the note. It was an address in the next state over. Above the location was the name “A Slice of Chocolate Cake.”