Carrots and a Cat = Destiny

/ roughwighting

https://pixabay.com/photos/carrots-carrot-tops-vegetable-1112020/ctownerDenise had two things on her mind: carrots and Carl.

Carl loved carrots. Carl hadn’t talked to Denise in two weeks, three days, and 14 hours, and the only thing on Denise’s mind was to bake a carrot cake that would make Carl come back to her. 

Where did their problems begin? Well, when they first dated, Carl seemed like the catch of the season, and she was almost beyond her own season at 42 and unloved. Denise was a successful engineer with a degree from MIT and a job that paid her well enough to own a sensational top-floor condo on Boston’s Seaport. woman, curvy woman, https://pixabay.com/vectors/woman-dance-pirouette-curvy-308395/Clker-Free-Vector-Ima

But money did not attract a good man. Looks and curves and flirtations seemed to do the trick, though. Denise found a great spa for facials, an expert cosmetic surgeon to add some curves and take away others, and joined a gym that she frequented religiously at 6 every morning.

And that’s where she met Carl, her trainer.

All went well for the first few months. Carl was disenthralled with his “model-type” clients and encouraged Denise to “be herself” and exercise for the fun of it, not to change herself. He took her for hikes on Mt. Monadnock and kayaking on the Charles River. His lovemaking was inventive and playful. Carl, in fact, was the first man who seemed to genuinely like Denise.

But then he introduced Denise to his sister, Pauline, who was a fortune teller and psychic. Pauline immediately suggested to Denise that she avoid seafood, watch out for the number 23, and consider bringing a pet into her life – particularly a black cat. 

Denise laughed in Pauline’s face, which didn’t seem to surprise Pauline, but angered Carl.

The next day, Denise’s boss took her out to lunch at Ocean Prime. Denise knew Todd Haring was about to give her a promotion, so she indulged with her favorite treat – oysters – until her breathing shortened and Mr. Harding shouted “call 911” as a rash exploded on every inch of her skin. The paramedics saved her on the floor of her now least-favorite restaurant, and Denise wondered if Pauline had cast a spell on her.

But Denise didn’t believe in spells or psychics or any superstition, until a week later, on the 23rd, Carl called her and suggested that they “take a break.”

Halloween cat

Credit:crisserbugE+Getty Images

Denise was no dummy. She had a frickin’ Ph.D. from MIT. She immediately visited the shelter at Chandler Street and brought home a soft fluffy not-particularly-friendly black cat. Two could play this game, she decided.

Then she shredded two cups of carrots and Goggled “magic cake,” swirling the carrots into the butter, sugar, and flour. Tarot, Dragons, Tarot Dragon cards

For good measure, she called Pauline and invited her for dinner and dessert: “And please, bring Carl with you. I bought a new deck of Tarot cards that look amazing.”

Two months later, Carl and Denise were engaged to be married on a date selected by Pauline, the seventh of July at precisely 7:00 p.m.

Denise knew that the marriage was destined to be a success.

119 thoughts on “Carrots and a Cat = Destiny”

  4. Great story, Pam!
    I haven’t had carrot cake in ages, but now I want a slice.

    (Have you ever listened to Ghost in the Burbs? I’m imagining Denise telling the unhappily ever after part of the marriage that came about because of a spell. . . and all the things she has to do because of Denise . . .) 😉

    Liked by 1 person

  5. You have such a knack for creating these great stories. Of course, one is to wonder if this marriage made in spells, I mean foretelling…
    Now I need to make some carrot cake. Haven’t made it in years!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Hi Carol. Ha, in your stories perhaps Denise WOULD poison Carl, but mine tend to go on the “sweeter” side. 🙂
      The magic cake ingredients are secret, I’m afraid. But . . . that doesn’t mean I’ll never share them. :-0

      Liked by 1 person

  19. Oooooh, the Tarot of Dragons! I have a set and love, love, love them. Also loved your unusual version of a happy ending! Happy Halloween…

    Liked by 2 people

  22. I should read this story to Cliff. Though he’s not particularly fond of cats, he does love carrot cake, his request for every birthday. Ah!

    Nice intro to October, black cats, Hallowe’en–and love, of course.
    Thanks for waxing so clever in a waning year, Pam! 😀

    Liked by 1 person

  24. What an absolutely awesome and fun story sweet, beautiful, awesome Pam! As soon as I saw a cat was involved. I knew it would definitely be my kind of a story….me being a cat lover and having two kitties of my own! And I love 💜 that it is a black cat with Halloween around the corner….and it made me think of my sweet black kitty 🐈‍⬛ Cosmo who sadly crossed the rainbow 🌈 bridge three years ago! I do love carrot 🥕 cake, but haven’t had it in a long time! Hope the marriage lasts…..but if not they can always eat cake 😂😂😂! Love 💜 you dearest friend! Bev Linn Guy

    Liked by 1 person

    • Of course, I knew this comment was from you, my dear high school friend, Bev. You have the best compliments in the world. And I know you are a voracious reader, so extra glad you enjoyed the story. 🧡🧡

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    • Hi Gerlinde . And weirdly for me I don’t like cream cheese frosting. With my carrot cake I would just have plain old butter cream. But I bet your carrot cake would be better than anyone else’s. 🥕 🥰

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  27. Perfect story for October and Halloween. I love carrot cake. And yesterday I made a delicious carrot, sweet potato and spices blended soup. Another use for carrots.

    This generation seems to have a hard time finding a marriage partner. Maybe they’re in need of fortune tellers and psychics.

    Liked by 2 people

  28. I’m thinking it was adopting the cat from her temporary shelter home that brought the good karma. My adopted pet Belinda is a joy. Thanks for the great story Pam and Shawn for the wonderful tarot cards! I have a copy here and love the illustrations too.

    Liked by 1 person

    • What a good point, Barbara. There are those – many of “those” – who refuse to unbend, refuse to perhaps change their perspective on themselves, and others. Denise deserves happiness, since she was smart enough to think “outside the box” and into the carrot cake and cats. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

    • I’m rooting for them too, Nancy. Some here don’t think their love has a chance. I think Denice and Carl know how to catch and keep true love when it includes carrots …. and cats. xo

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    • Oh, thanks for your heartfelt (and strong) position on ghosting and Denise and Carl’s story. Interesting!! I hadn’t thought of it this way. Well, time will tell (as well as lots of carrots, and the cat) if this romance has staying power. ❤

      Liked by 1 person

  34. What a great story to start October off with a magical touch. You sent me down a rabbit hole again. I had to google “magic cake” and then on to the chocolate doodles. I love a little magic in life to keep the pot well stirred. Denise was wise to fight fire with fire. My last husband loved carrot cake but I never made one from scratch. Any cake I baked needed to be shored up with frosting. I’ll stick with cookies. One story can stir up so much in a human. Thanks.

    Liked by 1 person

    • “Rabbit holes” have a bad rap. Is it so bad to fall into one and doodle more with your curiosity and creativity? I think not! ❤ I'm making those chocolate doodles today with my grandson. Hope they turn out. If not, an 11-year-old boy will eat them anyway. Ha. I'm not a carrot cake fan myself, and my guy still looks for 'scratch' when he shops. He never finds it, so I never bake from scratch either. 🙂 🙂 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  36. Denise was wise to listen and follow through. Psychics don’t mess around! And wouldn’t it be great if love was so easy to win? I’ll bet carrot cake does wonders in keeping love alive too. Great story, Pam. You always entertain. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    • You and dozens of others have mentioned their lust for carrot cake now. If I had magical powers (and believe me, I try), I’d wave my wand and send you a luscious carrot cake pronto. xo

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  41. Pam, I loved your story. It has the right amount of fun and realism. It was interesting that Carl was so tied to his sister. Thanks again for visiting my blog and commenting on Miriam’s interview.

    Liked by 3 people

  42. I am still sitting here with my mouth open, not exactly sure what I just read. LOL. People are not persuaded so easily, even the second time around. I would have listened to Pauline the first time – would I have been married to Carl sooner? 🤣🤣🤣

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