“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder”. Whoever came up with this expression did not stumble on what, eye-popping, hands clenched, mouth gasped, I was gawking at. I had stopped dead in my tracks and was fighting tears.
The stunningly decorated chocolate cake reminded me of “Grand-Mère”. It was as dark as her skin, attracted everyone to the kitchen, and eating two pieces would be as comforting as she was.
The cake’s creamy and glossy texture was a feast for the eyes. I could not believe how rich, creamy, and dark it was. The warm déjà vu feeling I was experiencing brought “Grand-Mere” back to my mind. I wish I could hug the cake somehow and never let go. The darker fudge filling and the moist outside were created solely to celebrate the senses.
This cake, just like “Grand-Mère” would be irresistible. Auntie Camryne still says that since she was a little girl, “Grand-Mère” had been a delight inside and out. Most likely the reason she had been nicknamed “Mocca”. Someone had made a comparison and it had stayed with her for the rest of her life.
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No one will ever be a better cook than “Grand-Mère”. She had a way of whipping up a little something in the kitchen. You just had to let her know if you needed a snack or a full meal. Whether it was her Dijon salmon with scallion and cilantro vinaigrette, her towering tacos, tortillas, or loaded tostadas, she had you covered.
Her black mushroom steak, sweet and spicy pea soup, or rice topped with her chicken and spinach concoction could convince anyone that food had superpowers. And, once the sounds of pots and pans started chiming, there was not a place in the world you would rather be. Everyone, all at once, was instantly hungry. Auntie Mandie, an accomplished cook, claims most of her recipes originated from “Grand-Mère’s” kitchen. When she was cooking, the kitchen was “The Best Place to Be”.
Many people believe that chocolate has a soothing effect. Well, my whole life, no matter the situation, “Grand-Mère” always found a way to make me feel better. There was something about her presence, about her frail arms embracing my troubled shoulders, that just made me know I was loved, cherished, and understood.
When I was 14, my heart was broken. “Just an adolescent fling,” dismissively stated my mother. But, “Grand-Mère” understood that my world was ending. For several months she cuddled my heart like no one could. After two gargantuan pieces of this chocolate cake, I would be satiated and my troubles would melt away.
I didn’t have to be Einstein to realize the cake would not survive more than a few hours. Just like “Grand-Mère”, no mouth in this household would stay away from it for long. The dark creamy color, the sweet fragrance, and the delicious comfort it would provide were beckoning. I came back to my senses, wiped my drenched cheeks, grabbed a fork, a plate, and a napkin. With an elated spirit, I marched toward my brown piece of heaven.
© 2025 Addie DeRose
