South Norwood Sweetness
"Caribbean cake maker Debra's custom creations are booked months ahead, but when widower James orders his late wife's favorite cake to honor her memory, Debra delivers something even sweeter—hope."
James showed Debra a photo. His wife's favorite cake. She'd been gone two years.
"Mi can make it," Debra said, thick and gentle. "But it won't taste the same."
"Why not?"
"Because yuh wife made it with love for yuh. Mi can only make it with skill."
"Skill is enough."
"Let mi try to add some love too."
She delivered the cake personally. Watched him cry over the first bite.
"It's not the same," he admitted.
"But is it good?"
"Different good." He looked at her. "Thank you. For trying."
"Come back. I'll teach yuh to make it yuhself."
Baking lessons. Her thick body guiding his clumsy hands.
"Yuh terrible at this," she laughed.
"I'm better at other things."
"Like what?"
"Like knowing when something good is in front of me."
"Yuh being smooth now?"
"I'm being honest."
"Yes! James! Right there!"
Flour everywhere, cake forgotten, her thick body the sweetest thing in the kitchen.
"Don't stop! We making something new!"
He still bakes his late wife's cake. But now it's for new memories.
Debra sits beside him while it cools.
"She would approve," she says.
"I know." He kisses her. "That's why I'm at peace."
South Norwood sweetness.
Where loss becomes love.
Where grief becomes grace.
One cake at a time.