A Dozen Duck Eggs, Please

By Jeannette Campbell

Word Count 1471

“Moesha,” said Mom, “can you stop at the farmers’ market after school today? Here is the list and some money.”

I glanced at the list and groaned. “Mom, you want 5 pounds of potatoes, and a couple of pounds of different fruits, eggs, a loaf of bread and some red sauce from Crazy Dan’s.”

“I won’t be able to carry all this by myself,” I declared. “Why can’t Thomas help? He keeps telling us how strong he is. “

“Well, Thomas that is a good idea. You will have to go with her today.” Mom decided.

“But Mom,” said Thomas, “I was going to play pick-up basketball with some friends.”

“If you plan on eating any of this, then you can help bring it home.” I retorted. Mom worked two part-time day jobs and Dad worked at night. That left us a lot of things to do for ourselves.

“I think you can do your part,” said Mom. “Besides the basketball court isn’t going anywhere.” Thomas glared at me.

“Jannel! Time to go.” Mom shouted. My youngest sister came racing through the kitchen and gave mom a hug.

“I is ready for daycare.” Jannel said, spinning around to show her outfit.

“You should say ‘I am ready for daycare’.” Mom corrected. “Good job dressing yourself, honey. Don’t forget to leave some breakfast for your father.”

Mom grabbed Jannel’s hand and bustled outside.

“So where do you want to meet up?” I asked Thomas.

“Not school,” replied Thomas. “I’ll meet you at the farmers’ market gate,” then he grabbed his school things and left.

“Duwayne, time to go.” I shouted. My younger brother grabbed his lunch from the counter and gave me a thumb’s up. I made sure the stove was off, covered dad’s meal and locked up as I left.

Duwayne was a block ahead walking with some friends. I usually watched him until he turned off at the street leading to the Middle School. Thomas never wanted to walk with me even though we went to the same high school. Boys I said to myself. What was the big deal?

After School I waited for Thomas at the gate to the farmers’ market. It had started a few months ago and was supposed to run until the end of October. The fresh fruits and vegetables were fresher and cheaper than what we could get at the grocery store.

“Are you just going to stand there and gawk?” said Thomas pushing past me into the market proper.

“About time you showed up,” I replied, following him.

“So, what are we getting?” asked Thomas. Having been here before I knew the best place for potatoes was at Angelo’s. I lead the way and buy the red skinned potatoes that everyone liked. Thomas grudgingly took the baskets. We went up and down the aisles purchasing the items on the list. Some things we could stuff in our back packs.

“The last thing is eggs,” I said, looking around.

“Over here’” said Thomas. I went to where he was pointing and looked at the eggs. They were larger than the usual eggs.

“These are duck eggs,” said the lady behind the table. “You cook them just like chicken eggs but use fewer of them. They cost $6.00 a dozen.”

“Well, that is good news,” I said. “We’ll take a dozen please.”

“Are you crazy?” Asked Thomas. “We don’t even know what they taste like.”

“Same as regular eggs, I expect,” I said and looked at the lady again.

“These eggs have more fat and protein content than regular chicken eggs. And they taste better to some, as well.”

“Besides, “I said, “this way we can save a bit of money and still have eggs for breakfast.” Thomas looked at me and raised an eyebrow.

“Do the math,” I said carefully putting the bag with the eggs over my elbow, “instead of using two eggs for each of us, I only need to use one. They’ll go further and that is where we save money.” We headed for home each of us with school back packs stuffed with our purchases and bags over both of our arms.

The next morning mom was gone early with Jannel. As usual it was up to me to make sure everyone ate breakfast and got off to school. Jannel got hers at daycare.

Now is the time to do the eggs, I thought. Frying them seemed the easiest way to serve them. Since they were larger than regular eggs, I decided to cook them a little bit longer. Just as I called my brothers to the table Dad came in.

“You’re home early today,” I greeted him, putting an egg on his plate. Thomas and Duwayne both greeted dad and sat down. I put the plates of toast and bacon in the centre and joined them.

Duwayne took his fork and attacked his egg. The egg fought back and bounced across the table. I watched, horrified.

“Duwayne,” said dad, “stop playing with your food.” Then dad tried to cut his egg only to have his fork bounce off it. I poked my egg, and it pushed back!

“What the heck is this?” asked dad looking sideways at his food.

“I believe these are duck eggs,” said Thomas, smirking.

“Duck eggs!” dad exclaimed.

“Yeah, Moesha got them yesterday,” said Thomas, “to save us money.”

“Moesha,” said dad, “care to explain?”

I looked around the table. Everyone was eating toast and bacon. “The lady said they taste better than regular eggs and you cook them the same. I may have over cooked them." I said, trying to hold down the egg with my fork and cut it with the knife.

“I’ll say’” said Thomas. He picked up his egg and bounced it off the table. I was so embarrassed.

“Stop that,” said dad. “I’m glad you are thinking about the finances and all, Moesha,” dad said looking at me. “But next time you may want to get a little more information before you buy something.” I nodded, miserably.

“Don’t worry, sis,” said Duwayne, “the toast and bacon was good.” And he shoved the rest into his mouth, gathered up his school things and left.

“He’s right,” said Thomas, “the toast and bacon are great.” He did the same. I dropped the rubbery eggs in the garbage and put the dishes in the sink. I felt so bad knowing I had wasted them. And the money.

“Don’t you worry about it,” said dad. “You get yourself to school and I’ll clean up here.”

I left. I was unhappy all day. What could I do to make up for the bad breakfast? About lunch time, it came to me. I could make a cake for dessert. I could use the duck eggs, and no one would know they were there.

After school I raced home and got out the baking supplies. As the guys came in, I shooed them out of the kitchen.

“Not another experiment.” groaned Thomas.

“It isn’t an experiment.” I said, pushing him from behind. “I looked it up on the internet at school during my spare. Now go.”

Once the kitchen was clear, I followed the recipe and got the cake in the oven. Of course, I made chocolate. The aroma soon filled the house. Using the hot sauce, I made burritos for supper.

The moment mom entered the house, Thomas and Duwayne told her all about my disaster.

“...and the egg just bounced off my plate,” Duwayne was saying.

“There was nothing good except the bacon and toast,” added Thomas.

“Yeah, those were good.” Duwayne agreed.

“Okay, so we know what went wrong?” mom asked, helping Jannel into her chair.

“Yes,” I replied. “I over cooked them. I won’t do that again.”

Mom smiled at me and said, “Well at least you learned from it.”

After supper I pulled the cake out of hiding.

“I would like to apologize for this morning,” I began, “and made this cake for dessert. I hope everyone forgives me.”

Everyone looked at the cake. It was really tall and smelled chocolatey.

“Is this what we smelled earlier?” asked Thomas. I cut the cake and served it up. Everyone took a mouthful and then the room was full of sighs.

“That is the richest cake I have ever tasted,” said mom sighing. “It is delicious and fluffy.”

“It’s soooo good, Moesha” said Duwayne, closing his eyes in delight. “Can we have it for breakfast tomorrow?”

“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but this is delicious,” said Thomas.

“What is your secret ingredient?” asked mom taking another bite.

“Duck eggs!” I smiled and ate more of my slice. It was chocolate heaven. And by the sounds of it, everyone forgave me. Including myself.