I have entered Susanna Leonard Hill’s Annual Valentiny Contest. The rules were to create a story in which someone is hopeful, using a maximum of 214 words. Here goes!
CAKE CHEMISTRY
Hazel’s mom loved chocolate. Hazel loved Mom.
Hazel took secret notes when they baked chocolate cake together.
On Valentine’s Day, Hazel awoke early to cook up Mom’s surprise.
One cup milk. One cup warm water. Halfway with oil.
Crack, plunk. Crack, plunk.
Sniff. Sni-i-i-f.
“Mmmm.”
Drip, drip.
Whisk, whisk, whisk.
Two scoops flour. Two scoops sugar. One scoop cocoa powder.
Mix, mix, mix.
Hmmm, was something missing . . .?
A dash of salt!
Hazel stirred until the ribbons of white disappeared.
Buttering the pan was Hazel’s job. But using the oven was not.
Knock, knock, knock.
“Hello, Hazel,” said Mrs. Wilson.
“Can I bake a cake in your apartment? It’s a surprise for Mom.”
Baking required a large serving of patience.
Between a bowl of porridge and a game of Go Fish, Hazel dashed to the oven window.
“It must need to cook longer.”
“Is the oven hot enough?”
“It’s still flat!” said Hazel. “Rise, cake. Rise!”
Eventually, the timer sounded: beep, beep, be-e-e-p.
“Mom’s cake is a flop!”
Knock, knock, knock.
“Is Hazel here?” said Mom.
“Yes. Come in, the coffee is on,” said Mrs. Wilson.
“Something smells good,” said Mom.
“I wanted to surprise you with a chocolate cake. But instead, we’re having . . . brownies. Happy Valentine’s Day!”
THE END
Beth Elliott 
What a lovely flop for the mom. 🙂 I wish you well with this story.
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I like brownies better anyway. What a great surprise ending. Good luck with this it’s super cute.
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This is a fun story. What a sweet, special ending. Best of luck!
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Cute story. I’m glad it turned out OK in the end. I think this is one kids could definitely relate to. Best of luck!
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I really enjoyed this! It is really well written with so much to love – beautiful language and imagery, rule of 3s, onomatopoeia, surprise ending, etc. Great job!
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I think I need some cake and brownies now. =) Good luck!
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Love your descriptions, such a yummy story. Good luck.
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Great onomatopoeia, and a delicious story. Good luck!
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If life gives you a flat chocolate cake, rename it! I’ll have to remember this for my own baking, LOL. Sweet story. Good luck in the contest!
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Your descriptions are delicious! Good luck with this story!
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Oh, I love brownies 🙂 Great story!
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Hi Beth – it’s amazing how things can turn out … and I think I like brownies better … now I’d like one – congratulations with your stirring cake mix story … cheers Hilary
http://positiveletters.blogspot.ca/2018/02/the-robin-who-hedges-her-choices.html
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I love this, Beth! A new twist on making lemonade out of lemons – brownies out of chocolate cake! And it’s chocolate so you know you had me from the get-go! Hurray for Hazel’s optimism and ingenuity! Thanks for joining in the contest fun!
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