The Price of Comfort

Stella

The judges are sitting in front of me, spoons poised, and I can’t help but hold my breath. Every moment that they taste the soup without a word feels like an eternity. My palms are sweating, and it’s all I can do to not show them that I feel like I’m about to pass out.

Lorraine is the first to break the silence, and her voice is smooth and soft—an instant comfort.

“Stella, this is delightf