Funk-N-Fiction

Kevin A Davis is known by his readers for his urban fantasy mysteries & adventures. Today’s flash fiction takes a decidedly, “sweeter” turn for a “wild” seasononal adventure.

Cupcakes

When Lucas woke, Jack was not in the bed, and that didn’t bode well for the day. The sun hadn’t risen yet, this late in September, but predawn light filtered through the lace curtains. He kicked off the covers to shrug into jeans and a flannel, then donned the stupid slippers with the wolf toes Jack had bought him.

He’s never up before six. Lucas padded down the hall, careful to be silent as he passed one of the occupied rooms, and headed for the stairs. The scent of coffee wafted in the warm air; a task usually left to him.

A rattle sounded from the kitchen on the first floor, so Lucas made his way toward the back area, winding his way toward the noise.

Jack, dressed in only a lilac paisley apron and red slippers, searched inside the large refrigerator with his torso hidden as he dug at the shelves inside the middle door.

“You’re up early,” Lucas said.

The shelves rattled as Jack started. He pivoted, rubbing his tousled black hair. “And you’re sneaking about giving me a start, early.”

“Sorry.” Lucas moved for the coffee, giving Jack a kiss. “What are you up to?”

“The Halloween party’s in two days. I’ve got to make cupcakes.” Jack flourished a gesture toward the pile of muffin pans and liners.

The coffee seemed a little weaker than he might have liked, but Lucas poured a cup, noting Jack’s milk and sugar-filled mug that sported a hint of light tan. “Halloween is at the end of next month.”

Jack had returned to his clamorous search. “Yes, silly, but the Halloween party where we decorate is in two days.”

Lucas sipped his coffee. “I think you’ve been decorating since August.”

“A little, but the party is for carving —” The apron wiggled before Jack popped his head out to waggle his eyebrows. “Jack-o’-lanterns.” He disappeared back to his foraging. “I’ve got the marzipan gravestones and knives all prepped. I just need to bake, but I can’t find my blackberries.”

With a cough, Lucas swallowed. “Blackberries?” They’d been almost too ripe, sweet; perfect with whipped cream. They’d picked them over a week ago; another few days and they’d have been wasted. He grimaced, preparing to admit that he’d eaten them last night.

Jack, however, had deduced the situation from his one word. “Were they delicious?” His tone, as always, held no condemnation or hint of anger.

“I’m sorry.” Lucas straightened, putting his cup down. “I’ll run to the store.”

Hand splayed open and thrust in front of his open mouth, Jack feigned an expression of wide-eyed horror. “Store?”

With a resigned sag, Lucas picked up his mug to finish it. “I’ll get dressed for berry picking.”

“Road trip!” With a bounce onto his toes, Jack plucked off his apron, swapping it for a robe hanging on a peg, before darting back toward their room.

#

Preparation included changing into “better” jeans, and bringing “proper” snacks and a black and red wool blanket, “just in case.” Under a pale blue sky, Lucas squeezed himself behind the wheel of Jack’s dark ‘66 Mustang.

“Top down, Tiny.”

“It’s barely fifty degrees out.”

Jack pointed at the rising sun and wiggled his fingers at the convertible top. “Sunny. Last chance for a little color.”

There would be no real chance to argue. Lucas zipped up his jacket and opened the top. The wind still cut a chill as they pulled out onto the main road, heading south.

“The blackberry is the black heart of my cupcakes.” Jack slouched down in his seat, cuddling a thermos of weak coffee, wind whipping his hair. “First, I pour a layer of my white chocolate cake batter into the cup, spread it up the side, then spoon in a dollop of raspberry preserves. The blackberry gets lovingly placed in the center, topped off with a little more raspberry, then finished with batter.” He smiled throughout the description, peering up at Lucas at the end.

“Sounds good.”

“It better. This is our first Halloween, and I aim to impress.”

“Don’t need cupcakes to do that.”

“Oh, so sweet.” Jack leaned against Lucas.

Some leaves on the slopes turned color, highlighting the deeper green of pines. With traffic so sparse, the air smelled fresh, washing away some of Lucas’s residual guilt for eating the blackberries. There had been no way he could have known that the last bowl had been planned for Jack’s Halloween cupcakes. A note would have saved them from their present situation.

After a twenty-minute drive that turned Jack’s face ice-cold, Lucas pulled off the highway onto a side road lined with white birch and evergreen.

“Slow down.” Jack straightened, his eyes flitting from one side to the other.

Lucas had already slowed, considering the state of the asphalt. The seasons tortured these back roads. “Are we going somewhere specific?”

“Yes, to pick blackberries.” Jack flashed a toothy smile. “Silly.” He unbuckled his seat belt, rising to one knee higher than the windshield. “We did a thorough job on the patch outside Stockbridge, and I’ve had luck at Colton Pond before.”

A hint of fresh water did waft in the air, so Lucas assumed they were heading there.

“Stop!” Jack stood, hanging on the windshield. “It’s a small patch.”

“The road widens ahead. Is that a parking lot?” Lucas slowed, not intending to park in the middle of the little road.

“Grab the basket.” Jack hopped out over his door, too excited to contain, and Lucas grumbled as he barely eased off the asphalt, bumper close to the pines.

A perfectly wide parking area lay sixty-yards ahead, and beyond that rippled a dark pond. He retrieved the lidded basket out of the back and followed Jack, traipsing through sticky burrs and other weeds to get to the pine needles. The sap of the trees left a sharp and pleasant scent in the breeze.

Jack huffed in frustration, pouting as he lifted vines of the blackberry bush. “Someone picked this one to the nubs. Too close to the road.” He spun glance at Lucas, then pointed deeper into the woods. “We’re sure to find something. Follow me.”

“Should I move the car?” asked Lucas, hesitating.

With a gesture to follow, Jack wove through trees, searching. “No need. What kind of fool would be out here?”

“Us?” Lucas rolled his eyes and marched after his love.

In a couple months, snow and ice would take the woods, and the weather would be too frigid. As it was, Lucas had loosened his jacket to release the heat building from their excursion through bramble and fallen logs. Tree leaves here had threatened to turn, some maples showing yellow tips.

They wound about Colton Pond until they reached a boggy section, and only found one other small bush, picked clean. Jack grabbed Lucas’s elbow, leading him away, and possibly toward the car. “Kent Pond was probably a better plan, anyway.”

An hour later, the morning had warmed up, and Lucas’s pants had more seeds on them than a bagel, but Kent Pond proved to be just as barren of blackberries. When they returned to the Mustang, Lucas went straight for the crackers and cheese that Jack had insisted they pack. If this hadn’t been all his fault, he’d have complained.

Jack leaned against the car, tapping a finger on his lip. “The little buggers are all around us, hiding.”

“I’m pretty sure they aren’t,” said Lucas. “Cracker?”

“South or west.” Jack closed his eyes, tilting his head back.

Lucas rested beside him and bit the cheese and cracker in half, rather than tossing them both in his mouth whole. He chewed quietly, letting Jack muse in silence. Maybe they’d pass some roadside stand, and that would count as hand-picked.

“Oh. Tara and Lorie!” Jack rolled into the back seat, then reached to the front for his phone.

In search of some water, Lucas swallowed down the cracker before asking, “Who? Or is that a place?”

Jack waved off the comment. “Eat your snacks before you get all grumpy. Grumpier.” He winked as he dialed, standing up in the back of the Mustang. “Tara! Oh no, did I wake you?”

Lucas checked the time. After ten in the morning. He drank and listened with only a slight wince as Jack explained their crisis and got down to the business of hunting elusive blackberries.

The Mustang rocked as Jack lifted onto his toes. “Wonderful, we’ll meet you inside in an hour.” He climbed over the seat, smiling expectantly. “The adventure continues. Tara’s going to meet us. Don’t spoil your appetite. They’ve got great soup.”

With an effort, Lucas didn’t huff, but just packed away the crackers. “Where are we headed?”

“Sugar and spice and everything nice.” An impish smile spread across Jack’s lips.

“I guess I’ll find out when I get there,” said Lucas as he climbed into the driver’s seat. The day had warmed to almost sixty, but the wind would soon chill them on the road. Once they reached the highway and headed west, he dug for a little information. “Who’s Tara?”

“An old friend from before I bought the inn. You’ll like her.”

“You say that about everyone.”

“Hardly. Just the nice ones.”

As the mountains softened around them, Lucas eased into the midday drive. Vermont had a simple beauty, with plenty of greenery and gentle brooks. The air kept its crisp freshness, and Jack cuddled against his shoulder. As far as blunders went, the day was going well.

Thirty minutes later, they pulled up to a barn turned gift shop with a rust-red roof and wood sides. Eight cars parked out front, likely for the lunch offered on the sign out front. “I thought you said an hour?” asked Lucas.

“Tara’s a little north of there and still had to feed the goats.”

Lucas parked, expecting to wait in the car, but Jack hopped out, gesturing for him to follow. “Is she bringing blackberries?”

Indignant, Jack snorted. “Hardly, but she knows all the patches around here.”

The inside smelled of maple syrup and flowers, and shelves sported all the expected offerings of Vermont products along with bright mugs and socks for every tourists’ taste. Jack went on a whirlwind sweep, primarily for preserves and jams, and soon had Lucas’s arms full.

With two large bags, they moved to a dining area that smelled of omelets and grilled cheese. Lucas happily nursed a black coffee while they waited.

Tara wore jean overalls when she arrived. A pale blue T-shirt set off her rich brown skin, and her simple clothes and unassuming smile made her easy to like. Jack had been right. “So, you’re Lucas.”

“Tiny,” Jack corrected.

She smacked Jack. “Nice to finally meet you. You like turkey and ham, or roast beef?”

“Beef,” said Lucas.

“They’ve got you covered.” Tara sat. “Jack’s all about their soup here.”

As they ordered, Tara detailed the best places to look. “Gonna be hard to find a patch with anything left on it, but I know how you are, Jack. We’ll find something, if it takes all day.”

Lucas sipped coffee, cringing at the words inwardly. Jack had planned to bake today.

True to her word, Tara brought them to patches, but beyond a handful, they were picked clean. Each trip back to the car left Lucas a little more muted, but Jack just chatted with Tara sitting in the back.

The sun had moved to the west, ready to drop behind the mountains. Shadows darkened their trail as they came to a sprawling patch.

Jack squealed, and Lucas’s heart skipped as he saw the fat blackberries. Finally. He began picking. “I’m sorry. It’ll be dinner time when we get back. I’ve messed up your schedule.”

Turning from the berries, Jack kissed him. “Silly. It worked out perfectly. If you hadn’t eaten the berries, we’d have never had this wonderful adventure.” Lucas smiled. It had been a wonderful day.

CONTEST: To go along with this sweet story, Kevin is offering a sweet contest!! Three winners will be chosen, each receiving one of these:
First winner: (1) Audible code (email): Atlanta’s Guide to Cryptids
Second winner: (1) Print (shipped) / Kindle (email)
Third winner: Winner’s choice of (1) ebook (email) of one of the Six DRC Files OR Book One of the Phoenix DRC with Zach Graves
To enter – are YOU a fan of blackberries (or any kind of berries)? What’s your favorite seasonal use for them?
** Entry for this contest will ALSO count as your entry for the overall HFF event contest. **