JUST DESSERTS

by JoAnn Baca

The cart from Dr. Wong’s store was loaded with stacks of pink cardboard boxes. Catherine had enlisted a couple of the teenagers from the community to help her navigate the tunnelways but, in the way of teens Below, where two were expected, several others had tagged along.

Silence had reigned as the cart was loaded. Nobody asked Catherine questions, as it was considered rude to question largesse from Helpers. Whatever was given was expected to be accepted with gratitude. Period.

But kids being kids…

It didn’t take long – perhaps the length of a block had been negotiated – when the most daring one in the group broke the ice. Barbara made a show of sniffing the air. “The aroma from these boxes is driving me crazy! What’s in them, Catherine?”

Catherine smiled enigmatically. “You’ll see. After dinner tonight.”

“Don’t drool all over the boxes,” Teresa warned the others, laughing.  She sniffed appreciatively herself before boldly guessing, “Pastry of some kind?”

“Maybe!” That’s all Catherine would say.

They continued on for a while, navigating the cart carefully through a particularly bumpy stretch of tunnel, before Linda, emboldened by the remarks of the others, mock-groaned. “C’mon, Catherine, give us a hint? We’re helping, after all!”

Andrea and Gonda, the shyest of the group, conversed quietly together before Andrea said in a soft voice, “Cookies.”

Jay, puzzled, asked, “How could you know that just from the smell?”

Gonda answered. “We love Linzer cookies, and the top box smells just like Grandmother’s kitchen used to when she baked them for us.”

All the teens turned to Catherine, awaiting her verdict. She nodded, acknowledging the guess. “They’re from Orwasher’s Bakery.”

It was Stace’s turn to bend and inhale deeply, his face very close to one of the boxes. He smiled as he looked up at Catherine. “Rugelach?”

“You all are quite good at this!” Catherine chuckled and nodded. “From Lee Lee’s Baked Goods.” She pointed in turn. “And there are hamentashen from William Greenberg Desserts, biscotti from Veniero’s, and what’s considered by many to be New York City’s favorite…”

Sam piped up with what they all knew. “Black-and-white cookies!”

Catherine waved her hand across the various string-tied boxes as she named off other iconic bakeries from around the city. “Specialty cookies from Fay Da Bakery, Glaser’s Bake Shop, Holtermann’s Bakery, Egidio Pastry Shop, Caputo’s… It took some time, but it’s a special day, after all.”

Confused, Jo asked, “It’s December 4^th. What’s so special about today?”

“Isn’t it obvious by now?” Catherine gazed at the confused faces around her. “It’s National Cookie Day!”

Jay smiled. “Never heard of it, but it’s about to become my favorite holiday!”