Weekly Finalist: Chocolate or Vanilla? by Emily Miner
It’s not a choice most people agonize over. Most people have a
favorite. Most people just know which they prefer. They don’t have to
think when the cashier asks them. For them, the choice between
decadent and classic, rich and simple, dark and light… it’s easy.
Not me. I have two problems:
My first problem is that I love both flavors. When I was younger, I
used to alternate; one night I’d order vanilla, and the next time we
went out I’d order chocolate. But that method, fair as it was, ignored
the ever-important whim of the moment. Then I discovered that some
places offered a swirl option, a kind of have-your-cake-and-eat-it-too
choice. But somehow putting them together took away all of their
individual perfection. I started deliberating for minutes at a time
whenever I went out for ice cream, trying to decide which was perfect
for that exact moment. It got so bad that that I started trying other
flavors, or going out for cupcakes or pie instead. Nothing, though,
was as good as ice cream. I deal with it as best as I can, and avoid
ordering dessert when I’m in a hurry.
My second problem is that tonight, choosing between chocolate and
vanilla means choosing more than flavors of ice cream.
I look at the man to my right. Then I look at the man to my left.
“Miss?” the cashier asks me. “Chocolate or vanilla?”
