4 October 2026, Freewriters Community Daily Writing Prompt Day 3246:: just one more layer
“I just need one more layer because, see, seven-layer cakes, at least three pancakes, and lasagna, and tamale pie.”
“Rob, it's called a recipe.”
“Grayson, ain't nobody got time for that! You just put the stuff in the pan!”
Capt. R.E. Ludlow loved cooking with his baby grandsons five-year-old Lil' Robert and six-year-old Grayson Ludlow, because...
“The food tastes better, seasoned with their goings-on and my laughter!” he said.
“But, Rob, how do you know what goes in the pan without the recipe?” Grayson said.
“Because Papa!” Lil' Robert said. “We ain't gotta do all that!”
“But failing to plan is planning to fail, Rob.”
“But failing to pan is failing to eat, Grayson!”
“Blondes having more fun,” ten-year-old Glendella Ludlow said as Mrs. Thalia Ludlow, grandmother of all the little Ludlows, was videoing and trying not to laugh and ruin the video.
“Papa is doing all the cooking and just passing them stuff,” eleven-year-old Eleanor said, “while Grayson keeps looking at the book and checking what should go in and Lil' Robert keeps putting stuff in and Grayson keeps making sure it is straight in the pan.”
“I couldn't do it,” ten-year-old Andrew said. “This right here is why God doesn't let ten-year-olds have kids who are five and six because I don't see how Papa lets them argue and still gets them to cook like that.”
“Seasoned with love and laughter, though,” Glendella said. “Rob and Grayson actually do really well when they cook together because Rob keeps things moving, and Grayson keeps things on point because he knows the difference between tamale pie and lasagna although they are close.”
“To me, it looks like the two sides of Papa's mind are having an open argument before they became captain and Papa,” Eleanor said, “and somehow it still works!”
“That's just scary to even think about,” Andrew said, “but, you might be right, Eleanor. It is a good thing people can't age backwards and that Papa is 58, because I love Rob and Grayson but having them in my head all day … I couldn't do it!”
“Some people you have to have in your heart,” Glendella said.