Confectionately Yours #4: Something New by Lisa Papademetriou Read Free Book Online

Kyle admits. “Mostly, I just like coming here to smell stuff.”
    I laugh. “Is the farmers’ market smelly?”
    “Totally smelly,” Kyle says. “Didn’t you know?” We’re standing by a long table covered in plant starts. Kyle runs his fingers over the leaves and pinches off a leaf, then lifts it to his nose. “Lemon verbena,” he says, holding it out to me.
    I smell the leaf, inhaling a sharp citrus smell. “Wow — it smells just like lemon!”
    “It’s good in tea.” He feels around the plants and pinches off an oblong leaf. He smells it first, then hands it over. “Lavender.”
    “Mmmm. This smells like my grandmother’s fancy soap.”
    “Is it the kind of soap you’re never allowed to use?”
    “Exactly. It’s in a pretty dish next to the towels we’re never allowed to use.”
    “We have some of that. For display only.” Kyle’s gray eyes twinkle. I know he can’t see me well, but he’s really good at making me feel like he does.
    He picks off a few more leaves, always careful to take one from the larger plants. Rosemary, chocolate mint, garlic scapes, each has a distinct, pungent smell. It’s funny that I’ve never paid attention to that before.
    It’s amazing how being with a blind person makes you look at things differently. Or, experience things differently, I guess.
    We fall into step toward the maple table. They have maple syrup, maple candy, maple cream, and brooms made from maple wood. A familiar figure in a purple miniskirt, hot-pink top, and plaid tights is buying a maple cookie. “Hey, guys!” Meghan chirps. “Look — they’ve got gluten-free cookies! Am I lucky, or what? Hayley, speaking of, do you think you could make a couple of GF cupcakes for the barbecue?”
    “Sure,” I tell her. “That’s easy.”
    “Thanks! You’re my GFF!” Meghan takes a bite of her cookie. “My gluten-free friend!”
    “What barbecue?” Kyle asks.
    “Kyle! The Spring Fling Barbecue! Haven’t you seen the posters?” The words fall out of her mouth, and she freezes, then blushes a brilliant red.
    “Meghan!” I squeal.
    Kyle just laughs, though. “Wow — no. How did I ever miss them?”
    “I’m such an idiot!” Meghan wails.
    “You’re fine, Meg,” Kyle reassures her. “Don’t worry about it. Hayley, could you just grab me a maple lollipop?”
    “Sure.” I take one and hand it over as Kyle pulls a five-dollar bill out of his pocket. It’s folded into a square, and he opens it before handing it over to the ponytailed guy behind the table. When the guy counts Kyle three ones back, Kyle folds them in half before tucking them away. That’s when I realize that the folding is part of knowing what bills he’s got. Amazing.
    Meghan is giving Tessie a super rub along her smooth back, and the little dog closes her eyes slowly, blissed out. “Listen, Hayley,” Meghan says, “do you have time to talk about the election?”
    “What are you guys running for?”
    “I’m running for vice president, and Meghan’s running for president,” I explain.
    “Oh, against Omar,” Kyle says.
    “What?” Meghan screeches, and Tessie gives a little startled jump. “Sorry,” Meghan tells the dog. “But —” She looks up at Kyle. “What?”
    “Didn’t you know that Omar is running?” Kyle asks.
    “He’s actually doing it?” Meghan is clearly still stunned.
    “Wow,” I say.
    “Tell me that Jamil isn’t running for veep,” Meghan says.
    “I don’t think you’re in danger there,” Kyle admits. “Jamil isn’t really interested in student government.”
    “Neither is Omar,” Meghan snaps.
    “Hmm,” I say, and Kyle nods.
    Meghan nibbles her gluten-free cookie. I wonder if she’s still feeling lucky. “Okay,” she says at last. “So, Hayley, now we really need to think election strategy, or else you’ll end up working with Omar.”
    “This election is getting complicated,” I say.
    A look of horror crosses Meghan’s face. “You’re not dropping out, are you?