Walliver
Two Thousand Club
There was never a dull morning at the Institute for Exceptional Beings. Sure, there were quiet mornings- coffee and hot cocoa, gathered around the TV for Saturday morning cartoons- but even those were never dull. This morning, however, was not very quiet. Several pleas of “cinnamon rolls” had reached his ears by the time he stepped into the kitchen. Philomena often joked that his real superpower was baking- sometimes he wondered if she was right.
The smell of cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg covered the kitchen like a warm blanket. He hummed quietly, rolling out dough and sprinkling spice in practiced motions that had been perfected over the years. He wouldn’t say he was a master baker- or even on the same level as some home bakers. He just knew that his kids- the students- really enjoyed when he made them. What other reason did he need?
“Warning, affectionate coworker coming through!” Edith’s voice reached him before he was crushed in a hug. He hummed, returning the hug- albeit with less intensity. “Good morning, Edith.” Noah spoke, his voice barely above a whisper. She gave him another quick hug before strolling over to the counter. “Thanks for the coffee, dear.” she smiled, picking up her favorite mug. “No problem.” he nodded, checking on the oven timer.
“Hey, kids! The rolls are almost done! I think this batch might be the best one yet!”
Faster than lightning, the pounding of footsteps could be heard upstairs. Noah laughed, letting the content feeling spread from his heart and settle over him, a shield against the negativity that tended to pervade his thoughts. He leaned on the counter next to Edith, waiting for the telltale ring of the timer.
The smell of cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg covered the kitchen like a warm blanket. He hummed quietly, rolling out dough and sprinkling spice in practiced motions that had been perfected over the years. He wouldn’t say he was a master baker- or even on the same level as some home bakers. He just knew that his kids- the students- really enjoyed when he made them. What other reason did he need?
“Warning, affectionate coworker coming through!” Edith’s voice reached him before he was crushed in a hug. He hummed, returning the hug- albeit with less intensity. “Good morning, Edith.” Noah spoke, his voice barely above a whisper. She gave him another quick hug before strolling over to the counter. “Thanks for the coffee, dear.” she smiled, picking up her favorite mug. “No problem.” he nodded, checking on the oven timer.
“Hey, kids! The rolls are almost done! I think this batch might be the best one yet!”
Faster than lightning, the pounding of footsteps could be heard upstairs. Noah laughed, letting the content feeling spread from his heart and settle over him, a shield against the negativity that tended to pervade his thoughts. He leaned on the counter next to Edith, waiting for the telltale ring of the timer.