Copyright © 2005 By Koty Lapid-- Another short story about a full figured woman. The story also about friendship but mostly is about how not to hurt other people's feelings and still not to eat a cake that you shouldn't eat it. This work is a major re-write of my earlier work... named 'Valentine's Day -- 2005'

I was staring at a delicious, tempting chocolate cake sitting on a delicate coffee table in front of me. My friend, Suzanne, was talking to me, but I couldn't concentrate on her words. I was totally occupied with that cake. I had not expected her to arrive with a large shopping bag from which she took small bottle, two delicate wine glasses and that cake. The bottle sported a white label decorated with flowers and a handwritten HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I felt so happy and honored when I have a first good look on that cake.

She made a toast for us and she raised her glass. Then we talked. From time to time we took only a tiny bite from the cake because we are both on a diet.

After an hour or so, when I felt that she would leave soon my mind wandered again to the cake. I became disturbed. I wasn't worried when I first saw that cake. At the beginning of our get together I was carefree, we chatted companionably and exchanged the latest gossip and enjoyed every minute of it.

Usually I get very small gifts, like a soft pink rubber eraser. My friends although most of the time are very busy, they have a sporadic income, so I really do not expect to get a big present. I am always so happy when I see that they somehow always find the time to come up with something cute, small and personal. But this cake was even more special than the other gifts I used to get. Being too busy, Suzanne—in her kind hearted eagerness to bring me something unique for my birthday—hadn't simply bought a cake from the bakery, but had asked another of her friends, Ann, to make one. Of course all that I learned from Suzanne, right at the moment she arrived.

I moved my eyes from the cake to Suzanne. My heart started to race and I felt my palms become sweaty when I saw her standing up from her seat. I didn't want her to leave yet. In fact, I didn't want her to leave that cake at my place. If she leaves the cake with me, I would certainly take another bite from it until there there aren't any pieces left. I certainly wouldn't want to do that! Throwing it away is an option I don't want to consider, since it was a beautiful and very delicious cake. What's more, this cake is a gift, and I wouldn't want to throw away a gift, especially from a friend whom I treasure very much.

Knowing how much effort had been put into the cake made me aware that throwing the cake out would hurt not just Suzanne's but Ann's feelings also. I already appreciated Ann very much for being such a good friend for Suzanne.

Then another solution occurred to me: I would ask her to take it back with her. However the more I thought about it I realised that this may also offend Suzanne or Ann, or both. The option of keeping the cake for entertaining my friends was out of question.

I really didn't need that cake, even for entertaining. My birthday had passed. Valentines day occurs shortly afterwards and I usually celebrate both together. My friends accept my decision. We all believe, that Valentine's Day is as much about the appreciation of friendship as romantical love. So every year, I throw a little party at the beginning of February. It's a simple afternoon get-together for coffee or tea, and a whole lot of talking. In fact, the girls rarely miss this special event. This year, Suzanne, couldn't come. She called and apologized, and we arranged a date for the middle of the week.

Suzanne noticed that something bothered me. She looked at me in anticipation. But I avoided her gaze and stared at the cake instead, hoping that she could read what was on my mind.

Thankfully she did. She turned her head toward the cake and said:

'Would you mind if I take the rest of the cake with me? I promised my granddaughter I'd visit her on the way home. As I know her, she'd be excited to have some.' When she finished her sentence, I sighed a heavy relief, then extended my arms out to hug her. And thought: "how lucky I am to have her as a friend. Not only is she a mind reader but she also knows how to spare me from embarassment."