Soufflé Man

Yesterday. I saw a man leave parliament house.

He was wearing his underpants on the outside.

They were red white and blue.

When I asked him why.

He said the government didn’t have any superheroes.

Today. I saw him he was sitting on a park bench.

When I asked him why.

He said the government didn’t want any superheroes.

I introduced myself. Hi I’m Soufflé Man. Can I help?

He looked at me. His eyes narrowed. His mouth curled.

No. And walked away.

I admit. I don’t look much like a superhero.

I’m obese for a start. I’m pallid too! My eyes are red.

I’m probably kidding myself. Me a superhero!

But that’s what mum tells me I am.

I do a lot of things for her. Helping out. Pleasing her.

I like being needed. Makes me feel good about myself.

My dad’s been touching my privates again. I couldn’t tell mum.

I’m scared they’d break up.

I’d want to go with her. He wouldn’t let me.

To keep them together I learnt how to make soufflé.

Saw a recipe in one of mum’s magazines.

I’ll be their soufflé. Soufflé boy. A hero to them both.

I asked mum and dad if I could do it. They said yes.

First time I ever heard them say yes together.

Mum would supervise. Dad would eat.

The butter, the flour, the salt, the pepper, the milk, the eggs.

The egg whites. The cream of tartar.

The right mix. The right portions.

Eventually. I was just a kid.

Get the oven preheated right.

Melted butter in a saucepan over low heat.

Stirred in flour, salt and pepper.

I was cooking. Stirring constantly.

The mixture got smooth and bubbly.

Stirred in milk in one go. I continue stirring.

The mixture boils. It’s smooth as it thickens.

Mum liked what she saw. Dad dribbled.

I separate the eggs. Beat the yolks until their well.

The warm sauce mixture I add to the egg yolks.

I combine the yolk mixture with the rest of the sauce.

The beaten egg whites and cream of tartar got mixed.

I do it in a plastic bowl mum gave me.

Then the egg white is blended in.

I melt the cheddar cheese.

Don’t make it too thick mum says.

Then in goes the rest of the egg white.

All folded together. No too thick. Not too dry.

It took a few goes. Then I got it.

I put the soufflé into a casserole dish.

I put it in the preheated oven.

It came out a pearl. Eventually.

I served it with steamed vegetables.

Mum smiled at me. I’m her hero. Dad nodded.

I did it once a week.

I’d vary the ingredients.

All my own innovations. It was a connection thing.

The soufflé became regular. Dad stopped abusing me.

I got different approval.

I made one every week until dad died.

That was awhile back.

Soufflé Man mum now calls me.

By making them I’ve learnt to solve problems.

I take one to Mum when I visit her in the nursing home.

She likes the traditional one the best.