My friend and I had stopped at a local coffeehouse for lunch some time ago. The location was named for the trainline that ran through town. The atmosphere there is warm and inviting.  An old house was converted to become one of the town’s newest eateries.  If you are fortunate, while dining, you can experience the train traveling at a high rate of speed almost within arm’s reach.  That particular afternoon we chose reasonably healthy meals.  Before we left, mainly out of curiosity, we checked out the dessert menu and witnessed the most fabulous creation of baked delights: chocolate peanut butter cake.

The description of this cake demands a paragraph all its own.  First, the cake was more of a layered torte.  It was cut to the size of a graham cracker, although much thicker. Upon the first layer of cake a decadent filling of peanut butter was piped in a swirling fashion.  This was capped with another layer of cake and peanut butter, until there were a total of three layers of cake. Upon witnessing this dessert offering it was no longer the train ringing in my ears, but rather the ethereal voice of angels.  Yes, as cliché as it seems, it truly appeared to be a heavenly feast.  At that time the feast was for our eyes alone, but a plan was hatched.

I have always considered chocolate peanut butter the best mood altering substance.  It can be candy, it can be cake, it can be ice cream, it really doesn’t matter.  It simply has to be a combination of chocolate and peanut butter.  Although my thighs think it should be outlawed I feel pleased that my vice is not illegal.  Knowing that the coffeehouse has such a fine example of dessert I knew it would not be long until there would be a rationalized excuse to consume a piece.  We agreed, not only would there be a future order, but we would make it our meal.  Gleefully we left the coffeehouse knowing that one day we would return to find a stacked confections of chocolate and peanut butter alongside steaming cups of coffee at our table.

That day arrived and we were seated just prior to lunch.  Several of the tables were taken and no one took notice as our coffee was brought and our order was placed.  The waitress was a bit concerned that the cake might still retain its chill from refrigeration.   After all, she stated, no one has ever ordered the cake so early in the day.  The chatter among the other diners was brought to a halt as two plates stacked with the sinful indulgence made its way to our table.  The waitress, aware of the diner’s thoughts, announced that we were having dessert for lunch.  Whispers were exchanged and heads turned.  Those who followed the stride of the waitress settled on us with looks of both humor and envy.  Our escape to find comfort among the calories did not go unnoticed.  I suspect that our mission, so successful in our minds, might have a life of its own as others either recounted what they witnessed or chose to one day follow in our footsteps.

As we left the coffeehouse the sky opened and the drizzle turned to rain.  With our goal met we understood that the issues in life would remain but our diversion was helpful.  Our lips found it just a bit easier to curve into a smile and laugh at the world with the remnant of that cake upon them.