By Prospero Dae
He kissed her voluptuous and ever-loving lips, and a sudden tremor migrated from the top of his forehead, to the small of his back, and then, in complete surrender, to the soles of his soulless shoes. He would now rehearse his method of sneaking in without being seen by Buddy, a devil boy, tall and muscular, the subject of his many malefic and morbid dreams.
“Don’t forget the apple I packed with your sandwich. And don’t give your cupcake away.” She stroked his curled chestnut hair, touched his warm cheek with the back of her hand, and sent him to school.
So much depends on one’s ability to keep one’s cupcake….whole civilizations have risen and fallen on this. A classic in a ramekin…excellent!
First it was the discovery of fire, then, somewhat haphazardly, the cupcake, whose face, bedecked in glittery candy flecks and specks, reminds one of the stars, proof of its unique cosmic significance.
I read your explanatory piece before I read your excellent story, Prospero, but find that it makes perfect sense without explanation. I admit I probably would not have thought of the Oedipus complex in this situation, despite the evident closeness between mother and son. You have some lovely descriptions in this short story, and the cupcake is a definite must! I also enjoyed reading your ‘extra’ piece.
Thank you, Millie. But just as a narrator can be unreliable, so too can be an author’s explanation. Nevertheless I am happy that you looked at the text and the explanation–just in case I actually hit on something, even by mistake! Freud! What was I thinking?