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Katie

“These fancy balls are going to be the death of me” I dotted a tiny pearl of creahbor–perfectly round, perfectly formed, perfectly sweet

I sighed, ht about the special recipe I’d used to create this ar hold their for

But these sugar pearls, I knew they tasted good They were just a bitch to line up in a perfect little row

My relationship with food could be summed up in tords: permanently complicated

And then everything changed with one phone call

“Katie, you have a call” Laura, my hostess, poked her head in I peeked mineup to look at her, my hair tied back and a net in place to protect the current ton McMaster, a senator It was for his daughter’s sweet sixteen and it had to be perfect Every single pearl of sugar That fah-maintenance wife that reminded me of my own mother dearest

“Can you take a e? I need to finish this up” I added so the cake a vision of perfection Shades of white with autumn marzipan leaves, hand-shaped and decorated in detail

“I would, but… she sounds like a deranged Scarlett O’Hara I’m actually a little scared of her” I froze and feltthat I’d been faht before I spoke to my mother

“Fine Can you just bring me the phone?” Laura cradled the phone in betweenthat the only thing I could do toI loved while mental voice

“Katherine! Hello, it’s your mother”

“I know” I deadpanned

“Did you hear from your sister? Well, I’ married and wants you tothe wedding cakes in these parts for generations, but she said she wants one of your ns”

Modern designs She talks aboutpastries for her school dance fundraiser I’ve made cakes for the White House, but whatever