Relief Cake

This past week I decided that I was going to start a new health diet consisting of only fruits, vegetables, grains, dried fruits and yogurt. (For those who don't know, I am a vegetarian) Since Christmas week was arriving I knew I would overdo on all the junk food, sweets, goodies and culinary delights in just two weeks’ time. 

The first three days of my diet went just fine and dandy: yogurt, fruit and granola for breakfast, some exotic fruit (peaches, fruta do conde, plums) for lunch and salad with potatoes for dinner. There I am, feeling quite proud of myself for following along so well and not eating any white bread, spaghetti, sweets, French fries and the likes when I go give class to my students.

Matthew is an older man with a squeaky voice and a thing for showing me you tube music videos as soon as our class is done (at least he has reasonable taste). Today he greeted me with a large smile and warm hug.

- Hello Matthew! How are you?

- Hello teacher. I'm just fine.

- Ah, good. Have you studied a lot of English lately?

- Well, not as much as I would've liked to. You need to keep in mind teacher that now is Christmas season and you can't push your students so hard as you do all year long - we do need a break sometimes. 

- Oh yeah...so tell me, what will you be doing during all of January, eh? Travelling? Ohhh, don't tell me! To Salvador and Minas? Wowiee, lookie at that!

Matthew laughed till he was holding on to his sides.

- Ah, c’mon teacher!

- Look at it! You are going to spend a whole month traveling with your family and I am sure you won't be taking your English teacher along to make you study...being so, you will be a whole month off - a whole month without English. Just that is more than enough for a break, don't you think so?!!!

- Okay, okay teacher; you are right.

- Glad you can see things from my perspective! Now, how about we begin our class?

- Lets go. Ah, would you accept a piece of chocolate cake?

Should I or shouldn't I? I am doing so well in my diet and haven't eaten any junk for three whole days (record!) but then again, he never offered me a thing. The most he will serve me is a cup of juice... I guess I will accept then...

- I love chocolate cake! It's too much of a temptation not to say no!!!

- Good, I will then ask the maid to serve you it.

I sat there feeling completely guilty and almost regretting having accepted it until the maid arrived serving a fluffy chocolate cake with whipped cream and confetti’s sprinkled on top. She smiled at me and said:

- Mam, Mr. Matthew saved this piece of cake just for you from his birthday party! He forbade anyone to touch this it as he said it was specifically for his English teacher! 

- OMG Matthew! You never told me it was your Birthday! 

- Yes, it was my birthday two days ago and I saved this piece of cake just for you teacher! He gave me a big large grin.

I smiled back and placed a large piece of chocolate cake into my mouth and let out a big sigh of relief for having followed my inner voice and accepted the piece of cake. Imagine his embarrassment if I had refused his offer. What would his kids and maid think about it? 

Never has a piece of cake tasted so good - the taste of relief!
Disclaimer: ALL NAMES ARE FICTITIOUS - dates, places and events are FACTS!!!