1-2-3-4

 by Keith Hoerner

 vanilla milk shake

“Chocolate or vanilla?” her mother asked, as she stacked the cupcakes, fresh out of the oven… smears across her apron as so many badges of bakery honors. She had followed the simple 1-2-3-4 recipe she had learned as a child: one cup butter, two cups sugar, three cups flour, and four eggs. So simple. So delicious. That’s when the girl’s voice sang, “1-2-3-4, I don’t want these any more!” “Well, then, please allow me to put them away,” her mother retorted—taking the cake stand to the dining room.  “1-2-3-4, now the cakes are out the door,” she sang, laughing.

 

About the auhtor 

Keith Hoerner (BS, MFA) lives, teaches, and pushes words around in Southern Illinois, USA. He has enjoyed publication in over 40 literary journals, anthologies and other publication. His memoir, The Day The Sky Broke Open, publishes with Adelaide Books, NY/ Lisbon in 2021.