Death of a Cupcake Queen Read Free

upstairs.”
    â€œAre you crazy? You’ll hurt yourself.”
    Hayley was remembering what Sabrina had said about her second husband Jerry’s back going out during an ill-fated attempt at sex. She didn’t want the same fate befalling Aaron.
    â€œSeriously. Put me down. I can walk.”
    â€œI know you can walk. But I want to carry you.”
    They had reached the foot of the staircase. Hayley noticed perspiration forming on Aaron’s forehead, but he was trying his best to hide the gargantuan effort it was taking to lug Hayley up the stairs with a forced smile.
    Up the stairs they went.
    One foot after another.
    On the third step, Aaron had to toss Hayley a few inches into the air with all his might to adjust his grip on her. When she came back down, the strain of her weight was almost too much, but he kept that big smile plastered on his face. He was not going to admit feeling any pain.
    Why did she have to pack on seven pounds during the winter? She usually lost most of it in the spring so she would be at a good weight for the summer, but this year the April showers were more like an April biblical flood so she hadn’t exercised nearly enough. She spent most of the season sitting at home watching Lifetime movies and baking cakes and pies.
    Finally after what seemed like an eternity, Aaron’s foot settled on the top of the landing.
    They were almost home free.
    Just a mere seven feet from the bathroom where the hot water was already running. Hayley could make out the steam rising from the tub and fogging the mirror.
    They were going to make it.
    And she promised herself she would make it worth his while.
    But then she heard the back door slam open and a familiar voice scream, “Mom!”
    No.
    Please, God, no.
    Gemma wasn’t supposed to be home until nine o’clock.
    It wasn’t even seven.
    There was thumping up the stairs.
    Aaron just stood there with Hayley in his arms, not having a clue what to do.
    Gemma, wearing a green and gold softball shirt, matching cap, and khaki shorts suddenly appeared, a euphoric look on her face. “You will never believe what just happened! We finished softball practice and were going out for pizza when all of a sudden I saw Nate Forte hanging around the ball field waiting to talk to me. And guess what? He asked me to prom! Can you believe it? I have been crushing on this guy all year, and I didn’t even think he knew I existed, and then all of a sudden out of the blue he asks me to be his date for the prom!”
    â€œThat’s wonderful, Gemma, but why aren’t you out having pizza with the rest of the team like you said you were going to ?”
    â€œPizza? Are you kidding me? I have to lose ten pounds!”
    Like mother like daughter.
    Aaron was now sweating profusely, the beads landing on his white terrycloth robe as he struggled to keep Hayley in his arms.
    â€œMom, did you sprain your foot or something?” Gemma asked, as if noticing the scene she had just interrupted for the first time.
    â€œNo, I . . . I mean, Aaron and I were just . . . it’s . . . we . . .” Haley stammered.
    â€œAnd why is it so dark? Did you forget to pay the electric bill again?”
    â€œWe were just . . .” Aaron tried interjecting helpfully, but then didn’t know where to go from there.
    A lightbulb went off in Gemma’s head.
    â€œOh, wow. I get it. Don’t mind me. I’ll be in my room. Just pretend I’m not here.” Gemma scooted into her bedroom and slammed her door.
    Aaron’s knees suddenly buckled and he and Hayley fell to the floor with a thud.
    â€œDamn, Hayley, I’m so sorry. Are you hurt?”
    â€œOnly my pride.”
    â€œYou think there is any way we can salvage this evening?”
    â€œYes. In about an hour or so.”
    â€œWhy an hour?”
    â€œThat’s probably going to be how long it takes to mop up the bathroom?”
    â€œWhat? Why?”
    Water was