The Magic Hour - Ashley Bursian

I know that at face value, this is just a muffin. I had recently fled domestic abuse. Five years of homelessness, raising two babies during that time with a toxic partner and having only been rehabilitated into stable housing for barely a year, came my chance to safely flee. I walked over an hour to the Women’s Resource Center, shortly after I was placed into the women’s shelter. In the midst of late night baking, another houseguest wandered in. Suddenly, we’re sharing life stories. ‘ whisk flour, baking soda, and cinnamon ‘ ‘ I remember baking with my mom as a kid’ ‘Beat in sugar’ ‘He always says sorry afterwards’ ‘Pour wet ingredients into dry' ‘I finally had the courage to give up on him and believe in me instead ‘ ‘Put into oven and bake’ it's letting those aches and pains that plague our hearts and heads enough to keep us up at night be folded into a bowl of muffin batter. The next morning I awoke to one muffin, crumbs, and a magic marker thank you note.