Katie’s Cake
By Enrique Collazo
Copyright 2011 Enrique Collazo
Smashwords Edition
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“Katie,” Thomas’ mother said, “come and play ‘Pin the Tail on the Donkey’.”
“No, thank you,” answered Katie. “When is the cake?”
“It won’t be for a while, sweetie. Are you sure you don’t want to play?”
“Yeah, I’m sure,” Katie answered.
Katie stood apart from the other nine-year-olds. She gently scratched the head of Thomas’ golden retriever, Mac. He seemed very happy that she was doing this, but Katie was thinking of something else.
“Okay, everyone,” Thomas’ mom said, “it’s time for…”
“Birthday cake?” yelled Katie.
“Ah, no, it is time for musical chairs,” answered Thomas’ mom.
Katie didn’t join in. She sat under a tree with Mac. “I can’t wait for the cake,” she told Mac. He gave her an understanding look. “I hope I get a corner or one of the sides,” she said, “because that is where all of the icing is.”
Mac kept looking at her. “Do you like cake?” she asked him. The dog gave a sharp bark. “I guess you do,” she said. “I love cake, especially if it has jelly in the middle.”
A red-haired girl won the game of musical chairs and got a jump rope as a prize. Katie sat under the tree wondering what kind of cake Thomas was going to have. She didn’t even notice the other kids playing games. It wasn’t until everyone was halfway through the birthday song that Katie realized it was time for cake. She jumped up, scaring Mac from where he lay beside her.
“Make a wish, Thomas,” his mom said. “Okay, line up and we’ll get you all a piece.”
“Can I have a corner, please?” asked Katie.
“Sure you can. And when you finish, you can have another piece if you like,” Thomas’ mom told her.
“Can I, really?” exclaimed Katie.
She ran back to the tree and just as she was about to take a bite, she had a thought. She looked at Mac and asked, “What if the other kids finish their cake first? Then there won’t be any left for me.” He just looked at her.
She got up and told him, “You stay and take care of my cake.” She pointed at the cake and Mac barked.
“Excuse me,” Katie asked Thomas’ mom. “Can I have another piece?”
“Did you eat your piece already?” she asked Katie.
“I’m the best cake eater, ever,” Katie answered.
Katie went to the tree and sat down. She looked at her two pieces and then at Mac. “These pieces are kind of small, huh?” she asked the dog. “I’m going to get another one. You take care of these, okay?” Mac looked down at the cake and gave another bark.
When she got back, she set the new piece next to the other two and said, “This one is even smaller than the other two. I’m getting one more to make sure I have enough.”
As she came back to the tree, she started to tell Mac, “There was no more cake. But at least I have these. Some kids only got…”
She stopped and stared at Mac. She was stunned. Mac had eaten her cake. “Oh, no!” she shouted.
Mac licked his lips and trotted off, leaving Katie sad and cake-less.
“Dumb dog,” she said, staring at her empty plates.
“What’s wrong, Katie?” asked Thomas as he walked up.
“Your dog ate my cake,” she said.
“Oh, Mac likes cake. Especially that one, it had jelly in it,” he told her. “Come on, my mom is going to give out candy bags.”
“Nah, I wanted cake, not candy,” Katie told him.
Thomas stared at her for a moment. “Okay, then,” he said and ran off to get his bag.
“I could’ve been on my third piece of cake, if I hadn’t left the dog to watch them,” Katie muttered as she sat down.
“Hey, Katie, are you going to sit there for the rest of the party?” Thomas called out.
“I don’t feel like playing, now,” she answered. “I spent the whole day waiting for the cake and I didn’t even get one piece.”
Thomas walked up to her and said, “Well, here is your candy bag. My mom said for me to give it to you.”
She opened up the bag and inside, among the lollipops and bubble gum, was a cupcake in plastic wrap.
She looked up at Thomas as he said, “Mom had stuff left over from the cake, so she made cupcakes. Cool, huh?”
“Yeah, cool!” said Katie, excited.
“So, do you want to play now?” he asked her.
Katie looked at her bag and said, “Yeah, but do you think your mom will take care of my bag? Mac is a cool dog, but not a very good cake-sitter!”
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