Finishing Their Cupcakes

Mira and Frankie finish making the cupcakes. She raises her voice over his removal of something. Then she shows him the final touches:

applying cream.

ground dark-chocolate and peppermint.

chocolate chips.

She pours more icing, telling him to “hold on” and “wait.” They’ve made more than cupcakes for New Year’s Eve by the time they finish.

gleam of light
off freshly applied frosting
their shared smile

first published in Image Curve, December 29, 2016

photograph by Brian Chan