Page 60 of Fall With Me
I point to the bottom cupboard I store them in.
“Dad,” Finn says, holding up two different blue boxes in the pantry doorway. “Which one is the pancake mix?”
I point to the one on the left. “That one.”
“I need a whisk, cinnamon, and vanilla.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I salute, grabbing what she needs. “I’ve never had cinnamon and vanilla in my pancakes before. Is it good?”
Chloe takes the box Finn puts on the counter, measuring two cups of pancake mix then dumping it in the bowl. “I buyKodiak Cakes. It’s whole wheat flour with protein in the mix. The cinnamon and vanilla are a must. They really enhance the flavor. Do you happen to have any spinach?”
I remember Carter saying Chloe eats healthy, and I’m on board with it. But spinach and pancakes? I’m scared to tell her I do, in fact, have said green baby leaves in the fridge. “Why?” I narrow my eyes at her before giving more information.
“Do you trust me?”
“Maaybeee.”
“Ew,” Finn says, wrinkling his nose. “I’m not eating any vegetables for breakfast.”
If it’s in an omelet, I’m good, but otherwise, I am one hundred percent with you, son.
“What if I promise you won’t taste anything but normal pancakes? Well, except for a hint of cinnamon. Do you like cinnamon?” Chloe asks Finn.
Finn looks at me. “Do I like cinnamon?”
“Yes, you do.”
Chloe puts her hands on her hips. “I tell you what. Why don’t you two go watch cartoons on the couch and I’ll get breakfast ready? Sound good?”
I eye the fridge, Chloe, Finn, the couch, then back to the fridge. I’m nervous to give her free rein. What if we don’t like what she makes? What if Finn refuses to eat it?
Chloe laughs. “You guys, I promise everything will taste delicious. Stop looking at me like I’m a three-year-old being left unsupervised.” She shoos us to the family room, going so far as to put her hands on my back and steer me tothe middle cushion. “Stay.” She holds her hands out, palms facing us.
We turn onPokémon. Finn quickly gets caught up in the show. I don’t even try to pay attention to what’s happening on TV. I’m completely tuned in to every scrape, sizzle, and drawer opening and shutting behind me.
Folding my arms across my chest, I force myself to stay seated.
“Dad, stop bouncing your leg. You’re shaking me.”
I hadn’t realized I was doing it. “Sorry, bud.”
Fifteen minutes later, Chloe calls us to join her at the dining table. Sitting in my usual chair next to Finn and across from Chloe, I take the fork resting prong side down on the pancake platter and serve myself two fluffy green flapjacks. “Thanks, Chloe. This looks…delicious.” Never in my life have I eaten a green pancake. Not even on St. Patrick’s Day.
I scoop two spoonfuls of scrambled eggs onto my plate and a couple of sliced strawberries.
“Why are they green?” Finn asks, hesitantly putting one pancake and three bites’ worth of eggs on his plate. After I know how good or bad breakfast is, I’ll decide whether to force Finn to eat more or not.
Chloe leans forward, smiling. “I love trying to eat at least three colors of the rainbow with every meal. The more colors the better.” She points to each item as she says, “See, we have green pancakes, yellow eggs, red fruit, and orange juice.”
“Why?” Finn’s tone isn’t curious, it’s bordering between disgusted and flabbergasted.
“Do you like eating fruits and vegetables?”
I snort out a laugh. “No, he doesn’t.”
Chloe nods sympathetically. “I didn’t used to either, until I made a game out of it to see how many different colors I could get on my plate.”
She’s a genius. This method makes it fun and gets kids—and adults—to eat healthier. Okay, I’m still on the fence about the green pancakes since I know how she made them that color. If I taste spinach, she’s in big trouble. “I have all four colors. What about you Finn?”
