The Absence Theory

  

I started off writing today's post as a fairy tale. Partly because I wanted to offer some fun light reading this first day of the ultra busy month of December, and partly because fairy tales have morals. And one of the many things we, in this country, seem to have a dwindling supply of, it's morals.

I wrote my first fairy tale on this blog 9 years ago. I called it, Fairy Tale. Original, I know, but it was well recieved with thousands of page views. I've written a few since, including my recent Patience and the Tooth Fairy.  

Now the thing about today's little piece of fiction, as it evolved, is that it doesn't actually have a moral per se, but a lesson learned nonetheless. So, maybe fairy tale adjacent? Well, you decide . . .

Sue had broken up with her boyfriend of six months. It was a difficult break up, mostly because, although she was the one who ended the relationship, she really hadn't seen it coming.

They'd gotten along well, she and Carl, and although it had been too early to be thinking anything permanent, she did have hope at least for the near future. In their mid twenties they were both college educated, starting their careers, and finding a comfortable balance between work, friendships, and dating.

They'd met through a mutual acquaintance, Sue's co- worker knew Carl through her previous job. When she and her co-worker, Eve, met for coffee, Carl happened to walk in and later asked Eve about Sue. Although you can't be too careful these days, Sue liked that someone she knew could sort of vouch for him. She met him for a date.

And they really got along.

But now it was over. He'd lied to her and she ended it with him.

It was a stupid lie, inconsequential really, but for Sue, who always felt that dishonesty was a relationship deal breaker, that made it even worse. If you'll lie about the little things . . .

It had been almost two weeks. Carl wanted to talk about it, explain, but Sue knew that no discussion would make that big red flag disappear. Lies erode trust and she'd lost hers in him. His calls and texts were slowing down, but the hurt was still front and center. 

She been doing the obligatory break-up activities like watching chick flicks in her PJs and eating copious amounts of chocolate. 

Brownie Bundt with Cream Cheese Frosting  

Of course she poured her heart out to her two besties, Kara and Di. They felt that given this specific lie, canceling a date because he was exhausted after a tough week at work and then going out with friends, that Sue should reconsider, at least talk to him. But they also understood how she felt, fiercely supported her.

Although Sue had not joined her friends for drinks, this particular Friday night they'd finally talked her into it. "Come on Sue, there's a new cocktail we've discovered and you need to try it. It's made with Absinthe and champagne. You know you love champagne," Di had said. "And I have a theory I need you to help me prove," Kara added. "I even bet Di $50, we need you to settle it for us."

Sitting at the bar with her closest friends sipping drinks and chatting really was exactly what Sue needed. That drink though, called Death in the Afternoon, was a bit strong. To say the least. With each sip Sue grew more relaxed. And tipsy. It was at this point that her friends brought up Carl, how good he and Sue had been together, how it might be worth it just to hear him out.

And in her current state, Sue started to let her guard down a bit, acknowledging she'd missed him, admitted that maybe it wouldn't hurt to hear what he had to say.

"Hand it over," Kara said to Di, holding out her hand. Di plunked $50 in Kara's hand.

"Oh, the bet," Sue said, "what was that bet anyway, and how did I help you prove it?"

"You proved it by what you just said," Di reluctantly admitted.

"About missing Carl," Sue asked, confused.

"The bet wasn't so much about the result as it was about the vehicle," Kara boasted.

"Huh?" Sue was still confused. "Maybe I've had a bit much to drink, but I'm just not getting it."

"The bet was that," Kara began, with a smirk on her face, "Absinthe makes the heart grow fonder."

P.S. to my readers: Sorry, not sorry.

Brownie Bundt with Cream Cheese Frosting         

                                                                                      ©www.BakingInATornado.com

Printable Recipe

Ingredients:
1 stick butter

1/2 stick margarine

4 oz unsweetened chocolate

1 - 2 TBSP baking cocoa powder

1 1/2 cups sugar

3/4 tsp vanilla

3 eggs

1 cup flour 

1/ tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking soda

3/4 tsp baking powder

2 oz cream cheese, softened

1 TBSP butter, softened

1/4 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1/2 tsp milk

OPT: sanding sugar and/or sugar pearls for decorating

Directions:
*Melt together the butter, margarine, and the chocolate in the microwave at 30 second intervals, until completely smooth when stirred. Set aside.

*Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a bundt pan and "flour" it with the baking cocoa.

*Whisk the sugar and 3/4 tsp vanilla into the melted chocolate. Whisk in the eggs until completely incorporated, then whisk in the flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder.

*Pour into the prepared pan. Bake for 35 minutes. 

*Gently run a knife around the edges and the post of the bundt pan. Allow to sit for 5 minutes, then flip over onto a serving plate. Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate to cool completely.

*Beat the cream cheese butter, and remaining vanilla until smooth. Carefully beat in the powdered sugar. Finally, beat in the milk, frosting will be thick. Drizzle or pipe onto the brownie. Decorate with sanding sugar and/or sugar pearls. 

*Store, covered, in the refrigerator, bring to room temperature for serving.