Prompt Twenty

Chef Jim

(Mid-Series)

"I can't believe you're getting extra credit for this." Toby carried another tray from the trunk of the Lake care, setting it on the foldout tables in front of the school. "I know the bake sale is important for the art department, but fifty points?"

"A benefit of having a math teacher that also teaches theatre and knows how to barter." Jim set down his plate of cookies as well. "If it means I scrape a C, I'm happy."

Toby pulled back the cellophane and the smell hit him like a lover's embrace after an eternity apart. "Oh…these are diet-killers, that's what they are. It's good you only make them twice a year." Toby waved the scent toward his face like he was inhaling the bouquet of a fragrant wine. "You can be honest you know. Do you put crack in these? I'll still eat them, I just want full disclosure of ingredients."

"No. Just a bunch of butter and sugar and all that other good, unhealthy stuff." Jim shook his head amusedly, unwrapping the other plate. "Think they'll make enough to put on a bigger production next year?"

"I dunno, the licensing fees for Disney plays cost a bunch but people will come see them. Broadway's outrageous after all, people have to make do with the affordable options." Toby deposited two dollars into the glass jar and took one of the cookies, sinking his teeth in. "If being a regular chef doesn't pan out, open a bakery and be a pastry chef. You'll have a bunch of fat, happy customers. Myself being the first."

Jim rolled his eyes. People milled around the front door to the school, mostly theatre students contributing to the bake sale. His eyes tracked Claire as she came into view. "They're not that good Tobes. I mean, they're decent cookies, but you're exaggerating."

Toby gave him a look. "Hey Claire! Come here!" he called.

"Just a sec." Claire exited the building, looking a little haggard as she carried a banana cream pie. "I think this came out okay, I sure hope so…oh Jim, you brought cookies. Perfect."

Toby stuck two more dollars in the jar and pointed at the plate. "Try one. It's on me Nuñez. Jim thinks they're just 'okay.'" Claire took a cookie and nibbled at it. She chewed it slowly.

After a moment of consideration she pointed at the plate. "Jim, you can't make those very often. My cholesterol will skyrocket." She took another bite. "These are so good. Jim, you seriously think these are just 'okay?'"

"I guess I don't have much of a sweet tooth," he admitted. "Some sweets are fine, but I don't get too into them."

Toby sighed, lifting a hand as if to block the sight of the pastries. "I shall resist! Let the people donate for a good cause and partake. I'll get Nana's pies set up, she sent an apple and a cherry…"

As they were bees drawn to flowers, passerby approached the bake sale and were generous for the arts department. Claire helped run the transactions, making change and helping wrap up paper plates of goodies for those taking more than a few home. Jim and Toby fell in line doing the same; it felt weird to do something so ordinary, Toby thought. Battling troll enemies and assassins by night, working the bake sale by day.

All of the treats went fast, Jim's cookies included. Ms. Janeth came by the tables multiple times, checking on the status and looking thrilled. "This will really help with offsetting the costs for our next production! You're all doing wonderfully."

It felt nice to get praised. It didn't happen very often when teachers thought you were a bad student that skipped just for its own sake. Toby checked the time – barely eleven. The bake sale was supposed to go until two and they were nearly out. "We might have to wrap up early," he said. Claire chewed her lip.

"A few people weren't able to bring stuff. It'd be nice to raise more…Ms. Janeth really went all in for Romeo and Juliet. I know she put in her own money for the costumes, it'd be nice if she didn't have to do that next time." She looked at the tables, mentally calculating. "We've got the budget set up…a few hundred dollars more would have us in the sweet spot."

Mary passed by carrying a stack of paper plates. "Unless you want to work in the school kitchens, we're just going to have to make do," she said. Toby looked at her for a moment before turning to Jim.

"Y'know, I bet the others would get the ingredients if we asked…"

Jim's eyes trailed over to the school. "Well…I do owe Ms. Janeth for the extra credit." He rolled up his sleeves. "Tobes, I'm going to need to make a list."

Fifteen minutes found Jim, Claire, and Toby in the cafeteria kitchen, rolling out dough to his specifications. "One eighth of an inch, consistent so it bakes like we expect." Jim's motions were fast and practiced, and Toby didn't bother trying to keep pace with him. He went methodically, cutting shapes out of the flattened dough. Claire mixed the ingredients, struggling when the dough thickened up. "Normally I'd like to chill the dough but we don't really have time. They might not be quite the same but they should still be good." Jim spoke more to himself than to them.

Toby and Claire exchanged a look. Jim was in his element and it was pleasant to watch stress fall away and confidence take its place. Jim hummed as he worked, a habit Toby had almost forgotten he had when enjoying himself.

As the cookies baked the other students kept peeking into the room. Mary brought butter and eggs when they ran low, and Eli offered to take out the pans to cool them and make way for the next one. Shannon handled the front with Ms. Janeth, accepting donations and arranging the orders.

Two 'o' clock finally came, and Toby fanned himself with an oven mitt. "Phew! I think we're done." Claire had flour all over her arms and her hair was frizzing from the heat of the ovens. Jim looked tired but invigorated, and as they cleaned he was still humming.

By the time they got outside the others had nearly finished putting away the tables. "We made more than our best estimate! The next show will dazzle," Eli said, struggling under the weight of a stack of chairs. Mary caught the other side, helping him with the load.

"Thank you all! The fact that you came out here to help means a great deal to me." Ms. Janeth paused in front of Jim, Claire, and Toby. "You three really went above and beyond. You've definitely earned the extra credit Mr. Lake. And you two as well, though Ms. Nuñez doesn't really need it," she continued, looking at Toby and Claire.

The breeze was nice as they rode their bikes home, Toby relieved to be away from the heat of the ovens and the smell of cookies. "I wish all our problems could be solved by bake sales," he said aloud.

"I know right? Maybe the Gumm-Gumms would be willing to agree to a truce if we gave them a truckload?" Claire asked. The three laughed, Jim slowing up so he was level with the other two. "Even Gunmar probably likes a good cookie."

"I wish." Jim still seemed pleased. "I'll make you guys a special batch tomorrow. I'm kind of pastried-out for today."

"Considering you baked over twelve dozen cookies, I can't blame you Chef Jim." Toby sped past him, intent on working up a calorie deficit for the next day.

Gunmar did not tend to like human food. But when a changeling brought in a box and put it in what Otto called a "break room" – an ill-suiting name, as it didn't seem to be much for breaking things – he approached it and sniffed the air over it. "What is this?" he asked.

Otto bowed. "One of our members purchased pastries at the local school's bake sale. It is good for our human appearances if we contribute to the community. We're ingratiated to the human culture that way. They usually just bring them to the order and offer it to everyone." He looked into the box and pulled out one of the plates. "Ah, these are the source of the smell. Cookies."

Coo-key. What a name. It sounded like something a babe would make up. But the odor was pleasant. Gunmar took one off the plate, eying it dismissively. He put the object in his mouth, chewing it and swallowing. "Humans make such odd food. Have you readied the plans for tomorrow?"

"Yes! My liege, we should act before the Trollhunter even knows you escaped. I have several ideas that should prove very fruitful." Otto scurried out of the room and Gunmar waited quietly. He checked to make sure no one else was in the room before plucking another cookie out of the box and eating it as well.

Perhaps human food did have one or two standouts.

End of Prompt Twenty