Cookie Butter + Chopsticks

It all started with cookie butter. At first taste, I fell in love. Smooth and creamy, like evenings in the summer, this spread captured my taste buds. Once hooked, forever on the lookout. We ran out of cookie butter. We needed more. Simple solution- go get more. World Market, we have arrived.

I was astounded. Bring into mind warm brown colors. Bring into mind accent pops. Bring into mind a subtle scent of varnish and the oriental pull of anise. I trailed after my friend. My eyes boggled and I was yanked hither and yon by new delights. Cookie butter was found and ignored in lieu of better wares.

I felt as if my hands had suddenly found their magnetic powers and were covertly pulling things into my basket.

Then, I saw them. My old enemy, Chopsticks. But even an enemy can seem enticing. I picked them up and thought fondly of my friend, who loved Chopsticks, and invited them to anything, especially Asian food. I think we can all guess what happened. I walked out of the store, Chopsticks firmly ensconced in my bag.

Skip forward to evening.

I handed Della the Chopsticks.

“We have some already,” she said, “But if we have company, everyone can use them now. And we’ll even know which is who’s.”

The back ends were colored.

I glowed secretly. I like when my gifts are appreciated.

A kaleidoscope of leafy greens, pillowy sweet potatoes, and a concert’s crowd of quinoa, covered in splotches of a dressing that smelled suspiciously like skunk musk. Della said it must be the sesame oil.

We ate in silence, reveling in a circus of flavors. Then Kent spoiled it.

“Hey, I bet we can use those Chopsticks.”

They each grabbed a pair, a bit eagerly, it seemed to me.

“I don’t like Chopsticks,” I said, breaking my vow to be silent. “They make my food taste like failure.”

I tried though. Give me some points. And it kind of, sort of worked.

To celebrate my successes, I am snacking on cookie butter.

Hi+bye.