Goliath was rudely awakened from his nap by the scent of wet dog. He must have dozed off, as the fire in the fireplace was now reduced to embers. The book he had been reading was still open.

He raised his head, searching for the source of the offending odor. A soaking heap of fur materialized next to him and he jumped. Two brown eyes stared back at him, curiously. Then the dog shook itself, splattering him with water.

“C-can I help you?!” he sputtered, throwing a wing in front of himself to block the water droplets.

The dog was a mass of black fur with stubby legs and a wagging tail. Its droopy ears made it look sad.

“Goliath! You’re awake!” Sky pounced on him.

No rest for the weary.

“This is Coco. He just came in from the rain and he needs a yummy snack!” she said very seriously, pointing at the dog.

The dog told you this?  He thought numbly, still half-asleep.

“I took his order.” She said proudly, thrusting a notepad in his face.

Goliath squinted at it.

Completely illegible words written in purple crayon.

“If Coco wouldn’t mind telling me his order-” Goliath said slowly. “Just to be sure I understand what he wants.”

There were stranger things than a talking dog, after all.

Completely unbothered, Sky turned to the dog with rapt attention.

“Woof.” Coco barked.

Was this a dream? Was he still asleep?

“What.” Goliath said, shooting Sky a skeptical look.

“Don’t you speak their language?” Sky replied, as if he was the one being confusing.

“Arooo.” Coco barked sadly, his ears drooping even more.

“We don’t get many domestic dogs out here.” Goliath said.

His home was miles from any town. And none of his closest neighbors had any pets like this. This dog must have done some serious walking to get so far.

“I can translate for you!” Sky exclaimed, giddy at the fact that she knew something he didn’t.

He wasn’t going to even bother asking how she knew what Coco was saying. Goliath may have just woken up, but he was already exhausted.

~

“A three layer chocolate cake with caramel between each layer, chocolate chips, a chocolate ganache, and crumbled cookies on top.” Goliath read aloud.

“And some rainbow sprinkles on top.” Sky added. “To make it pretty.”

Was this some kind of elaborate joke?

Because that sounded suspiciously like the kind of cake Sky could dream up. But he would play along.

“That sounds amazing, but it’s a little- ah, out of my comfort zone. And it would take a while to prepare. But I can whip up a single-layer chocolate cake in no time.”

“Hmm.” Sky clung tightly to her stuffed toy, contemplating.

“Ruff.” Coco barked.

“He says it’s all right.” Sky translated.

“Someday, when I have all the ingredients- and the ambition.” Goliath promised. “You’ll get your fancy cake.”

~

Goliath had made this cake so many times, he could likely do it in his sleep. It was the kind of cake that always hit the spot.

Sky’s triple-decker cake sounded like the ultimate indulgence. The kind that his stomach would not thank him for later.

But he set the notepad aside. It made for good inspiration.

“Dogs aren’t supposed to eat chocolate.” Sky whispered to him as if it were a secret. “But Coco is special. He was enchanted by a fairy.”

And then she didn’t elaborate, going off to play.

Coco trotted after her.

When is Sasha going to get back from apple picking? Goliath thought, growing more desperate.

~

The batter came together smoothly. He liked this recipe because it didn’t require eggs, which he frequently ran out of. He set out the butter to soften, as the cake was in the oven. He rummaged through the cabinets. He would have to pick up more powdered sugar next time he visited Dusk.

“Mama’s back!” Sky hollered.

Oh thank goodness.

~

Sasha set the basket of apples on the table.

“Your friend Lilac is very generous.”

Goliath wiped cocoa powder off the table, still trying to wrap his head around what Sasha had told him earlier.

“He’s not our dog. But he does hang around often. He really was enchanted by a fairy.”

He still had so many unanswered questions, but he did not ask any of them. Sometimes it was better to let things go.

He reviewed recipes with Sasha while the cake cooled. She mixed the frosting together, sampling as she frosted the cake.

“There won’t be any left for the cake if you keep doing that.” He teased.

She looked around, feigning surprise.

“Oh dear. Then I’ll have to make more.”

“I’m running out of powdered sugar!” Goliath protested.

~

Once the cake had properly chilled, they could finally taste it.

“Are you sure this is safe?” he whispered to Sasha.

He glanced at the dog who was currently staring up at him with the most pleading puppy eyes.

He did not want to be held responsible for what might happen.

“Perfectly.” Sasha said, waving a hand.

Sky nodded.

“Here you go, Coco!”

The dog snapped up a huge piece.

He licked his teeth, his tail wagging. He had a smear of chocolate frosting on his snout.

“Delicious.” He said in a very prim voice.

Goliath stared at him incredulously.

“You could talk this whole time?!”

~ ~ ~

COCO’S FAVORITE CHOCOLATE CAKE:

AS WRITTEN BY SKY (IN MUCH NEATER HANDWRITING)

Chocolate Cake:

• 1 cup hot water

• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

• 1/2 cup brown sugar

• 1/3 cup vegetable oil

• 1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour

-Whisk together the water and cocoa powder. Set aside to cool slightly.

-Combine the sugar, oil, vinegar, vanilla, and salt in a large bowl.

-Whisk in the cocoa mixture, then slowly stir in the baking soda and flour. Pour into a prepared pan and bake.

Pan: greased 8x8 inch cake pan

Oven Temperature: 350°F

Bake Time: 30 minutes

Chocolate Frosting:

• 1/2 stick butter (4 TBS), softened

• 1 cup powdered sugar

• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

• 2 tablespoons milk

-Combine the ingredients in a mixer bowl and beat until smooth. You may need more or less milk depending on how thick the frosting is. Add it slowly. 

Then frost the cooled cake!