The Slow-Cooked Sentence

Absolution

Rachael Conlin Levy
“Do they taste nice?” courtesy of publicenergy.

Since I was raised on the Catholic model of confession and penance, I’m sharing this deadly sin: I am a glutton.

I blame it on the box I’m sending to Heather, my friend in Spain. I thought it’d be fun to include her family’s favorite candy bars, but, being at the grocery store without a list of what they liked, I decided to guess. Into the cart go Butterfingers, Snickers and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. Once home, I discover I was 60 percent right in my guesswork; nobody likes Butterfingers.

What else could I do but eat it?

There I am, crunching this too sweet, too crumbly candy bar that’s sticking to my teeth, and I’m not enjoying it. I toss it. Growl. Open the Peanut Butter Cups to get rid of the cloying taste. As I eat this second bar, I realize that Dark Chocolate Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are much better, and actually congratulate myself on eating the candy bar intended for my friend. Now I can go back to the store and buy Heather the better candy bar.

This wrapper joins the half-eaten Butterfingers in the trash. My stomach feels funny from so much sugar, my conscience is pricked. I am unable to forgive myself for my lack of self-control, my binge, my guilty pleasure in chocolate.

The Snickers sits on the counter.

I eat it.



2 responses to “Absolution”

  1. Linda says:

    Okay, I understand tossing the Butterfinger. Who ever would chose that bar anyway…not enough chocolate in my estimation. What I couldn't understand is why you didn't overindulge in the brownies you made for the birthday party. They are much better than any candy bar you can purchase. How do I know? The brownies you left us are gone.
    Ma

  2. kyndale says:

    Butterfingers are my fave!! Seriously, nobody likes them? I must be from a different planet which is very likely!!

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