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Topping:
2 Cups Crushed Corn Flakes
1 Stick Melted Butter
Mix all ingredients together. Pour into 9 X 13 baking dish. Place topping on mixture.
Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.
Clarissa
“What are you doing?” I ask Parker as she stands rapt at the window.
“Just enjoying the weather.”
Dante opened the last of his presents half an hour ago and has locked himself in his room to make a video, while Parker and I soak up a little adult time with a newly uncorked bottle of Pinot.
“You’ve been standing there for ten minutes,” I say, wiping my hand on a towel before shining the sink. I don’t remember much of my mother, but do remember the way she took pride in her cleaning, always shining the faucet after she was done with the dishes. One of the few memories I have is the two of us elbow deep in suds while singing together. My mother loved soul, the classics, that much I do remember. It’s what brought her and my dad together.
Dad used to tell me she was born an old soul, someone who didn’t quite fit musically or fashionably in the time they existed, and that’s what he loved most about her. “She had depth,” he used to say, “I saw that first before I knew the color of her eyes.” I have my mother’s neon blue eyes, her most remarkable physical attribute, which only made his sentiment mean more.
Dad never remarried after Mom died, but had a special place in his heart for the ladies. He had lots and lots of girlfriends, who taught me a lot about a lot. Because of his eclectic tastes, I can cook a variety of dishes and have collected a ton of mixed advice about men, mostly about my own father, while his flavors of the month packed up and moved on.
Parker sips her wine. “We should have a wine day soon since you’ve got a good, reliable sitter.”
“I’m game, I could use some adult time.”
“Yeah, me too,” Parker says a little breathlessly.
r /> “You’re probably freaking him out,” I warn as she stands fixed at the window.
“Good, I want him afraid of me.”
“Oh, I think you blew that all to hell with the horribly delivered death threats.”
She gives me the stink eye. “Only because you bat them all away. I can’t help that I’m a little over-protective.”
“Just a little.”
“He better not screw this up. I really will kill him.”
“Me too.”
“I can’t believe you gave in that day he cornered you. So unlike you.”
Swallowing a little liquid courage, I corner the sofa making my way toward her. “Parker, I haven’t been completely honest about Troy.”
“Meaning?”
“You know how I told you he would come around sometimes and watch us?”
“Yeah?”
“Well, the last few years, he’s been coming around more and more. And…he’s been sending checks.”
“What?” This finally tears her eyes away from the window.
“He’s been more diligent than I led on, waiting for me to give him any opportunity to meet his son.”
