Just like Grandma use to make.

Ju Ju.”

“Yeah.”I yell to meet Julianna voice.

“Ju Ju, where are you?”

“I’m in the back.”

Where is the rest of that coco powder?

Busting through the kitchen door without so much as a ‘Hey Bro.’ Julianna Begins, “Ju Ju, momma said…”

I look up from my prepping table just in time to see my sister’s open mouth and I smiled. I know by the look on her face she recognizes the ingredients.

“Momma said you need to be home for dinner, but I will tell her you’ll be a little late.” She says never breaking eye contact with the table.

“Thanks, save me a plate, with everything and put it in the microwave for me please.”

With her mouth still open she nods her agreement. The sound of my laughter breaks her trans and she finally looks at me.

“Are you going to add this to the bakery menu? You sure it’s not too much?”

“Yeah, I think I might. I mean if this comes out right, then yeah, I will. I think it’s time we move on and let Nana breath again, don’t you think?”

“It has been five years.” She says looking around the bakery’s kitchen. We share the same warm look remembering our grandmother. A chuckle rumbles in my chest as I feel her presence enter the small space. She could brighten any room with her smile, one glare could stop any child and her hugs could move any cloud. I feel the tears prick my eyes at the same time Julianna breaks the silence, “Man I miss her.” We share a small smile before she backs out of kitchen, giving me room to work.

“Hey Momma.” It’s a rare occasion to see my mother in our family bakery but she knows I made grandma’s famous sixteen layer chocolate cake and no one is our family is missing that, no matter how upset they maybe.

“ Hey Baby.” She said as she looked around the place as if she was looking for roaches or something.

I wrap an arm around her shoulder and guide her to the far side side of the dinning area where I have already boxed up her slice of cake. “ I know you are busy momma, so I took the liberty of boxing your cake up for you.”

“Why thank you Hunny, but I came by for more than cake. I wanted to be the first to tell you. Abigail is back in town, I saw her walking this way not to long ago. You betta be nice to her this time around. You know that girl is your soul mate.”

“Momma, I love you so much but there is just so much I have to get done if I am going to close on time today…”

“Okay, okay. I’m going but remember what I said.”

“Yes Ma’am, I will remember to be nice to her.”

I was seven when I pushed her off the swing one time and you could swear I tried behead the girl. Besides she was odd back then and always around my grandmother house, you would think we were cousins. I hear the door chime and that breaks me from my thoughts. Taking long strides I make over to the register before the guest has a chance to order. Not looking up I say, “ We have everything on the menu at the moment and a special treat for a limited time, Ms. Nellie’s sixteen layer chocolate cake. What can I get for you?”

“Julius?” Her voice was like a cool summer breeze. Finally looking up I am met with milk chocolate brown eyes that twinkle with recognition and a smile that could stop a man’s heart.

“Abigail?”