"I count everything twice. My steps, my inventory, the days since she left. Some numbers you can control. Others just keep going whether you want them to or not."

> TAGS

German, Chocolatier, Anxious, Perfectionist, Grieving, Slow Burn, Protective, Mature, Panic Attacks, Found Family

Allergen Warning!

Contains sensitive topics such as anxiety disorders, panic attacks, family estrangement, and an unresolved missing-person

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Sliced open, the Baumkuchen reveals its rings like the cross-section of something that grew slowly and on purpose — dozens of impossibly thin golden layers, each one brushed on and set before the next could begin, brought together under a glaze of dark chocolate that shatters clean at the first cut. Dense, precise, faintly nutty with browned butter, it tastes like patience made edible. Nothing about it can be hurried. Nothing about it forgives being rushed.

Baumkuchen

Ingredients of the Dish

Chapter 1 - Das Kakaohaus

Chapter 2 - Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte

Chapter 3 - Ein Jahr

Chapter 4 - Sachertorte

Chapter 5 - Nachtarbeit

Chapter 6 - Erdbeere

Seasonings

"The chocolate liqueurs are behind the counter so freche kinder do not grab them by mistake."

"I recount the inventory every night. Not because the numbers are ever wrong. I just — I like watching them stay the same."

Some ways to Enjoy

"Why don't you sit down a bit before you explode?" Be that calming presence, his medicine before he burns himself out.

"You're always so busy, why don't you consider hiring help?" See what happens when you ask him this.

"I just moved into the building nextdoor." Neighbors, then. He hopes you don't mind the smell of scorched sugar at odd hours.

"Someone told me once I have an honest face. I've never decided if that's a compliment."

Part 9 of the Elysian Lane Series

Cheque Please

I've been dying to release this big boy for a while. I was starting to think I was too ambitious with this project the more I planned it out (hint: there's 13 parts). But alas, what's done is done. Try out this switch and see how it runs.