“Why only a teaspoon?” Jade asked eyeing two measuring spoons, one larger than the other.
After placing the recipe back on the grey scale counter top, Annalise chuckled, “Some people say ‘baking is a science’, but to me, baking is magic.” Annalise mischievously winked gently tapping the dry ingredients into a large bowl.
Soon to be seven-year-old Jade observed her mother. The confidence, the composure, the calm serenity Annalise always exhumed filled the expansive kitchen.
Annalise whisked the liquid ingredients, waiting for her little helper to add the specified amount of vanilla, “You need a recipe that follows the rules of science to make the batter, you need the right technique to make sure it’s just right. But you need something magical to make it perfect.”
“So, how much vanilla should I add? A teaspoon, right?” Jade hesitantly asked still watching the larger spoon.
“Maybe a little more than a teaspoon wouldn’t hurt.” Annalise replied placing the liquid measuring cup in front of her sous chef encouraging her daughter to spill a little more, just for good measure.
“Why is your recipe short? It only says what we need, not what to do.” Jade asked studying her mother mix only a portion of the liquid mixture with the rest of the batter.
Annalise’s voice faded away, as Jade became disoriented, her vision disappearing. Jade knew what was happening, she knew what was ahead of her.
Her world drifted into darkness. The dread of what was about to happen loomed over her. The inescapable horror was seconds away.
An ear-piercing pitch withered to horrifying silence. Alone, Jade stood in a grassy meadow, a crumbling stone wall behind her guarding a shallow pond. Her eyes darted in different directions, her breathing erratic, her feet frozen in place. She knew what to expect, yet was unprepared for it. Jade would never be prepared.
Her racing heart pounded, the sound echoing in her ears. Her lungs barely able to oxygenate. It was coming.
The crack of a tree trunk meant time was up. Jade was going to face it. The thing that haunted her. With her feet embedded into the ground, the dark cloaked figure glided directly at her.
The shape of a man under the rough black shaggy cover showed no feet nor any hands. There was no discernable face, only green fluorescent orbs fixated on her, only her.
Jade shook, an overwhelming fear filling her soul. She knew what this horrible creature was capable of. Her sister’s lifeless body hunched over the stone wall into the pond, evidence of his work.
Jade’s mother spoke of the many beings that harmed their family. The numerous protocols they lived by to keep everyone safe. She remembered her parents arguing about how it was the keeper’s job to protect the family, to keep them safe. Where was her mother?
“I am here for you…” Echoed the howling creature, “I killed your sister, and now I am going to kill you, too.”
“My Mom will get you.” Jade squeaked though her lips did not move.
“Your mother is the cause of all this.” The dark figure taunted in laughter.
“She’ll stop you.” Jade forced herself to say.
“There is nothing that can save you.” It bellowed as the cloaked shadow grew, towering over the young girl.
Jade threw herself to the ground noting the withered flowers by her sister’s still feet, curling up, crying alone. She pulled her arms over her head waiting for her mother to come save her.
The high-pitched sound that took over her consciousness returned, taking Jade’s ability to control herself. She cried for her mother, begging for someone to end her torment.
In the midst of the grip her emotions had on her, a quiet sound rang through. A gentle, comforting melody. The soft hum broke through the fear, the desperation.
The lull of her mother’s voice echoed throughout her mind, eventually pushing out the fear. Her mother was here, she came. The creature was gone and Jade was now safe.
With reality sinking in once again, Jade lifted her head. On the glossy wooden kitchen floor, her mother’s arms tightly held Jade’s shivering body. The streak of tears was wiped from Jade’s red cheeks as her breathing settled; her mother reminding her to breathe in the imaginary wild flowers around her.
“It came back…” Jade whispered, broken and fragile.
“I know, sweetie.” Annalise replied softly, rocking her little girl as they sat on the floor beside the oven. Jade would never know of the torture Annalise suffered every time the fear attacked. She would never know the torment that ripped her mother’s soul just as Annalise would never feel the horror the creature inflicted over Jade.
“It was the same dream, the same man.”
“I know…”
“Why can’t you make it go away, Mom?” Jade whined diving into her mother’s chest.
“I will find a way, Jade.” Annalise firmly replied tilting her little girl’s face up, looking into Jade’s fear-stricken red eyes, “I promise you, sweetie. I will find a way to make that dream go away.”
“Today?”
“Aren’t we making our special red velvet cupcakes today, and your red velvet birthday cake?” Annalise chimed with a grin.
Nodding, rubbing the side of her cheek, Jade searched for the discarded sheet of paper. Her spirits rising as she held the scuffed note with half a recipe.
“Anyone can take my recipe, Jade. Anyone can try to make this special cake, but only one little girl will know exactly how to make it like I would.” Annalise pridefully said as she stood beside her daughter ready to bake.
A smile grew on the once sullen little girl holding the crinkled paper in her hands.
“Baking is our special treat.” Annalise whispered picking up her daughter and placing her on the counter preparing to pour the batter into the lined cupcake pans.
“Mom and Jade’s special time!” Jade chuckled.
“Mom and Jade’s special time,” Annalise repeated, “And this red velvet cake is our most special recipe.”
The oven timer rang in its known rhythmic beep calling Jade from mental escape. She pulled herself away from the memory of blissful past putting the oven mitt on.
The scent of the baked cupcakes overtook her exhausted and sleep deprived mind, and with the aroma Jade was once again with her mother. She was once again in her childhood home doing her absolute most favorite thing in the world.
Jade was with her mother, she was safe. And while she may never again have that feeling with her mother, the act of baking red velvet cupcakes will always bring the past back to her present.