이글
이글
Eagle
Eagle
:
민정은
시각 예술
Cake
장우조 | 단편소설
안정민 | 일러스트
I took a bite out of my oreo and chased it down with milk. Normally, I would have
taken my time to feel the sweetness fill my mouth full with its odor. If today was just like
any other day, I would have gone through the one or two of the headline news in
the daily newspaper. But there was no time to spare. I dressed in a rush, smoothing
my collar against my neck, fidgeting with my old sweater until it smoothed out over my
jean. I bounded down the stairs and flew to the door. I ran to my car and after a few
seconds it rumbled to life. As I picked up speed on the road, I realized that I was not
wearing my seatbelt. When I reached for it, my phone buzzed for the second time this
morning. It was my old friend Jeremy again.
“I almost forgot. You do remember Ms. White’s favorite cake, right?”
Strawberry cheesecake. How could I ever forget? The last time I had seen her, Mrs.
White had baked a large strawberry cheesecake and shared it with all the kids in
our class. I still can’t forget how the soft harmony of thick cream cheese and fresh fruit
pieces lingered on my tongue for the rest of the day. Mrs. White was wearing a frown
on her face. She turned around and reached for the door. She said she would come
back when the berries ripen. But she never did.
Nobody knew where she had gone, or why she had to leave us. Time passed, and
the kids who wailed over their favorite teacher’s absence became grown-ups. It was
only today at 6a.m. in which I groggily answered my phone and and received the
31