The cookies were ready. Grandpa needed another minute.
A Warm Introduction
Grandma Rose brought the plate to the sofa with a folded cloth beneath it.
“The cookies are ready,” she said.
Grandpa Arthur looked up from his paper. “All of them?”
“All of them.”
“That must have been quite a meeting in the oven.”
Grandma set the plate between them and poured tea into two flowered cups. The cookies smelled of butter and chocolate. Grandpa chose one from the edge of the plate, lifted it towards his mouth, and paused.
“Is it still warm?” Grandma asked.
“Very welcoming.” He blew gently across the top. “Possibly a little too welcoming.”
The Review Begins
Grandma took a sip of tea while Grandpa held the cookie at a respectful distance.
“I think,” he said, “this occasion deserves a proper review.”
“Before you’ve tasted it?”
“A preliminary review. I can already report several important qualities.”
He held the cookie up to the light. Its edges were golden, and little pieces of chocolate showed through the middle.
“An excellent shape,” he said. “Round enough to be recognisable, with a pleasantly adventurous edge.”
Grandma examined one of the others. “That edge was where I lifted it from the tray.”
“Then your lifting technique deserves recognition too.”
He brought the cookie closer. Its buttery scent reached him again.
“And the aroma,” he continued, “suggests a promising young cookie with an unusually warm personality.”
“Very warm,” Grandma said.
“Indeed. It has made that quite clear.”
One Important Detail
Grandma rested her cup on its saucer. “What about the flavour?”
Grandpa lifted the cookie, blew on it once more, and lowered it again.
“I’m coming to that.”
“You’ve covered its shape, its edge, and its personality.”
“I prefer to be thorough.”
Grandma watched him turn the cookie between his fingers. “Are you giving this speech while you wait for it to cool?”
Grandpa looked at her. “A reviewer must never rush his work.”
“Then I have a review of my own. The introduction was lively. The middle was a little long.”
“And the ending?”
“I’m still waiting for one.”
They sat together while Grandpa placed the cookie on a saucer. He took his tea and noticed a chocolate piece near the edge of Grandma’s cookie.
“Yours has a very fine spot there,” he said.
“I arranged it especially for the reviewer.”
“Your attention to detail is impressive.”
“Your attention to everything except taking a bite is even more impressive.”
Another Minute
After a little while, Grandma tested her cookie and took a bite. Grandpa tried his. The edge gave a gentle crunch, and the middle was softer, with chocolate in every mouthful.
“Well?” Grandma asked.
“Buttery, chocolatey, and worth the wait.” He considered the remaining piece. “I would invite it back.”
“I’m glad. I like the crisp edges best.”
“And I like the middle. Between us, we’ve reviewed the whole thing.”
Grandma placed another cookie on the plate between them. Grandpa reached for it, then stopped himself.
“Is it cool enough?” she asked.
“I’ll give it a moment. I have a reputation for thoroughness.”
“And how would you rate my review?” Grandpa asked.
“Very thorough,” Grandma said. “Your patience could use another minute.”
Grandpa set down his cup and regarded the second cookie.
“Then perhaps,” he said, “I should begin with its excellent shape.”
Livora Gracely ♥
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