Part 3 (1/2)
Still no Olly.
Night Six.
The Bundt is lying on a white sheet. An upside-down plastic water bottle is attached to what looks like a coat hanger and is hanging above the cake. A string hangs from the bottle to the Bundt like an IV. Olly appears wearing a white jacket and stethoscope. He's frowning down at the Bundt and listening for a heartbeat. I want to laugh but I don't let myself. Olly looks up and shakes his head solemnly. I close my curtains, suppressing a smile, and walk away.
Night Seven.
I tell myself that I won't look, but as soon as the first ping sounds I'm at the window. Olly is wearing a black bathrobe with an oversized silver cross around his neck. He's performing last rites on the Bundt.
Finally I cannot help it. I laugh and laugh and laugh. He looks up and grins back. He takes a black marker from his pocket and writes on the window:
FIRST CONTACT, PART TWO.
From: Madeline F. Whittier.
To: [email protected]
Subject: h.e.l.lo.
Sent: June 4, 8:03 PM.
h.e.l.lo. I guess we should start with introductions? My name is Madeline Whittier, but you can tell that from my e-mail address. What's yours?
- Madeline Whittier P.S. You don't have anything to apologize for.
P.P.S. What is that Bundt made of?
From: genericuser033 To: Madeline F. Whittier< Subject: RE: h.e.l.lo Sent: June 4, 8:07 PM you are a terrible spy madeline whittier if you haven't already figured out my name. my sister and i tried to meet you last week, but your mom wasn't having it. i really don't know what the bundt is made of. rocks?
From: Madeline F. Whittier To: Subject: RE: RE: h.e.l.lo Sent: June 4, 8:11 PM Hi, Bundt Cake Recipe 3 cups all-purpose cement mix 1 1/4 cup fine grain sawdust 1 cup gravel (various sizes for added interest) 1/2 tsp salt 1 cup Elmer's Glue 2 sticks unsalted b.u.t.ter 3 tsp paint thinner 4 large eggs (room temperature) DIRECTIONS.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease Bundt pan For the cake 1. In medium bowl, whisk together cement mix, salt, and gravel.
2. In large bowl whisk together b.u.t.ter, Elmer's Glue, paint thinner, and eggs. Do not over mix.
3. Gradually whisk in dry ingredients in small batches.
4. Spoon batter into Bundt mold.
5. Bake until a tester inserted in cake refuses to come out. Cool in pan on rack.
For the glaze: 1. Whisk together sawdust and enough water to form a thick yet pourable glaze.
2. Set rack with cake over a piece of wax paper (for easy cleanup).
3. Drizzle cake with glaze and let solidify before serving.
(Serves 0) - Madeline Whittier P.S. I'm not a spy!
First Contact, Part Three
Wednesday, 8:15 P.M.
Olly: i was going to email you back, but saw you were online. your recipe cracked me up. has there ever been a spy in the whole history of spying that's admitted to being a spy? i think not. i'm olly and it's nice to meet you.
Olly: what's the âfâ stand for?
Madeline: Furukawa. My mom is 3rd generation j.a.panese American. I'm half j.a.panese.
Olly: what's the other half?
Madeline: African American.
Olly: do you have a nickname madeline furukawa whittier or am i expected to call you madeline furukawa whittier?
Madeline: I don't have a nickname. Everyone calls me Madeline. Sometimes my mom calls me honey or sweetie. Does that count?
Olly: no of course it doesn't count. no one calls you m or maddy or mad or maddy-mad-mad-mad? i'll pick one for you.