As Misha and Jerry sliced into the cake at their gender reveal party, expecting to see a telltale blue or pink sponge, they were shocked to find the cake was black inside. As they recovered from the surprise, they finally understood why Jerry’s mother, Nancy, had made such an odd choice—though the reason was even more absurd than they could have imagined.
This was supposed to be one of the happiest moments of our lives. After two years of trying, endless doctor visits, and more tears than I could count, we were finally pregnant. It felt like everything was falling into place, like the universe had finally decided to give us our happily ever after.
“This is it, Misha,” Jerry said to me the night before the party. “We’re finally going to complete our family.”
“I know,” I said, smiling. “I can’t wait for our little one to come and turn our world upside down.”
We wanted to make the gender reveal special, so we decided on a big party. We invited family from both sides, hired a bakery for the cake, and handed the ultrasound results to Jerry’s mom, Nancy. She was thrilled to be in charge.
“I’ve got everything under control, Misha,” Nancy promised. “I’ll take care of the cake and get a special gift for my grandbaby. I just know it’s going to be a girl—I’m ready to spoil her rotten!”
Nancy had been eager to be involved ever since we announced the pregnancy, so it felt good to let her handle the cake. I was grateful she felt included.
As my mom and I set up for the party, the house was transformed into a Pinterest-perfect setting—pink and blue balloons tied to every chair, platters of food arranged on the table, and a banner that read, “He or She? Let’s See!” It was everything I had ever dreamed of.
The final touch was the beautiful white cake at the center of the room, ready for the big reveal. Jerry’s whole family was there—his cousins, brother, aunt—filling the house with excitement and chatter.
When Nancy arrived, I noticed she was dressed all in black. It struck me as strange, but I didn’t think much of it. Maybe she thought black was slimming or elegant. Who knew?
As everyone gathered around the cake, the energy in the room buzzed with anticipation. Phones were out, cameras ready to capture the big moment.
Jerry put his arm around me. “Ready?” he whispered.
“Let’s do this,” I grinned.
The countdown began.
“Three… two… one!”
We cut into the cake, expecting to see pink or blue inside. But when we pulled out the first slice, the room went silent. The cake was pitch black.
Not a hint of pink. Not a touch of blue. Just black.
My heart sank. Was this some kind of joke? No one was laughing. Everyone stood frozen, unsure whether to keep recording or put their phones down.
I glanced at Jerry, who looked just as confused as I felt. Then my eyes landed on Nancy, standing off to the side. She was dressed head to toe in black—black dress, black scarf, black shoes—and now she looked like she was… crying?
“Nancy?” I called out, frowning.
She wiped her eyes with a tissue, her makeup smudging. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered. “I didn’t know what else to do.”
“What do you mean?” I asked, my voice rising. “Why would you order a black cake?”
Jerry stepped in, his confusion turning to frustration. “Mom, what’s going on?”
Nancy dabbed at her eyes, trembling. “It’s not about the cake. It’s what I was told… I couldn’t risk it.”
“What are you talking about?” Jerry asked, his patience wearing thin.
Nancy took a deep breath. “Ten years ago, I visited a fortune teller with my sister. She told me something terrifying—that if my first grandchild was a boy, it would destroy your family, Jerry. And I’d be struck with a terrible illness.”
The room gasped. Jerry’s jaw dropped. “You’ve believed that nonsense for ten years?”
Nancy nodded, wringing her hands. “I know it sounds crazy, but I couldn’t ignore it. She was famous in our town—everyone said her predictions were always right.”
I stared at her, stunned. “So you sabotaged our gender reveal because of a fortune teller?”
Nancy hung her head. “I thought if it was a boy, maybe the black cake would… stop the curse. I even put bay leaves in it, hoping it would change something.”
I pressed my fingers to my temple, trying to process the absurdity. I knew Nancy could be a bit eccentric, but this? This was beyond anything I’d imagined.
Jerry let out a sharp breath. “Mom, you let a con artist control your decisions for ten years?”
Nancy’s lip quivered as she crumbled under the weight of her fear. “I was terrified of losing you. I couldn’t bear the thought that something bad would happen to your family because of me.”
Before anyone could respond, Jerry’s cousin Megan, who had been scrolling through her phone, chimed in.
“Wait, was it J. Morris? That fortune teller?”
The entire school used to mock this nine-year-old girl because of her weight but look at her now!
Breanna Bond’s journey embodies the poignant narrative of confronting childhood obesity head-on and discovering the empowering potential of determination, encouragement, and embracing a healthy lifestyle.
Since her earliest years, Breanna faced the cruelty of her peers due to her weight. Even as a young student in elementary school, she stood out as heavier than her classmates, weighing in at forty-five kilograms when she started first grade.
As time passed, her weight continued to climb, reaching an alarming eighty-four kilograms by the age of nine.
The relentless teasing and bullying at school left Breanna feeling isolated and disheartened. Every day she returned home, emotionally battered and on the verge of tears, a casualty of the unkindness she encountered.
The root of Breanna’s weight struggles stemmed from her family’s dietary habits, which leaned heavily on sweets and junk food. Regular visits to fast food joints and indulging in calorie-rich snacks took a toll on her health and well-being.
Concerned for their daughter’s welfare, Breanna’s parents sought medical advice, hoping to find a solution to her escalating weight gain.
After consulting with a nutritionist, Breanna and her family embarked on a transformative journey. They bid farewell to sugary treats and processed snacks, opting instead for nourishing, wholesome foods. Exercise became a staple of their routine, with family walks and organized sports taking precedence over sedentary activities.
The road to change was challenging. Breanna grappled with fatigue and hunger as she adjusted to her new lifestyle. There were moments of frustration and resentment, especially towards her parents for depriving her of her favorite treats.
However, Breanna persisted, driven by an unwavering determination to reclaim her health and happiness.
Gradually, their efforts bore fruit. Breanna’s once-round figure began to slim down, her confidence soaring with each passing day. Her classmates took notice, trading taunts for admiration.
In the swimming pool, an old friend failed to recognize her, so profound was her transformation. In just a year, Breanna shed an impressive thirty-five kilograms, a testament to her resilience.
But Breanna’s journey wasn’t just about physical change; it was a voyage of self-discovery and empowerment. Fueled by newfound confidence, Breanna excelled in sports, earning a spot on the school’s cheerleading squad and even participating in the Teen Olympic Games.
Today, Breanna stands as a symbol of hope for those grappling with obesity, her story serving as inspiration for many. With humility and kindness, she shares her experiences, offering support and guidance to those on a similar journey to wellness.
Through her grit and determination, Breanna proves that no challenge is insurmountable and that with dedication and perseverance, anything is achievable.
Leave a Reply