Ugly Heart Cake

So it happened– some ass of a person just had to do it– break your heart, leave you for litter. 

Valentine’s Day came around and you saw the roses being delivered, even to married women.  You smiled, you rolled your eyes as soon as you turned about face…

 …I would have, too.

You went to the park to sit on a bench but instead of enjoying a break from work, you had to see the love birds strolling arm in arm, hand in hand– laughing, smiling, still being in their infatuated stages of romance.  Sickening, isn’t it?

Red hearts, everywhere– in the stores, lips hung from the ceilings; even well-lit Valentine’s Day greetings on the light poles along the streets in the historical setting of town… only to be reminded that you are all alone– yet another Valentine’s Day, for another year…  Life does suck at times, on some years, no matter how often and how many times people tell you to think differently, be of good cheer, have hope and good faith that “HE” or “SHE” is somewhere out there in the big ‘ole world– could even be on another planet– They probably are.  Oh, but remember– you’ll meet him/her someday… and you’ll live happily ever after.

You wonder, “Why another year that I am alone…  why?” 

Would you rather be alone or be miserably, unhappily married?  Which is the better question; the best answer to such a question, rather?  Where’s the chivalry that was supposed to last?  Where’s the knight in shining armour, the one who you never let yourself get away from–in the end, the one whose kisses were uncomparable to any others?  Where is that person now?

He’s behind a paper, in front of a screen, on the toilet.  He’s driving as slow as an elderly man up the road, dreading to get home to be with you.  You are the one he doesn’t need anymore, the one you still need him to need.

  He’s a fool. 

 He let someone in.

  Crumbled your heart…

But you’re still a big girl, maybe not in bra size, but a wise-at-heart person to be with though willing to be loved and to love in return.  You still have the faith it takes to do whatever you will, can do, must…  You have guts, you have courage to face your future at the age that you are– now.  Time is not your friend, neither were they.  The mirror sort of tells you that, but you’re still looking back at a young woman in your reflection.  You’re still young enough to live, so go live.  Still dream, still have those desires– keep them.  Don’t limit yourself for someone else’s cold heart, bearing on yours in a moment of sorrow and pity.  You’re not a victim. 

This is a very moist cake, perfect for icecream or just alone…

Preheat a 325 F/170 C/Gas 3 oven.  Grease a 9 in (23 cm) round cake tin and line the bottom with greased paper.  Dust the cake tin with cocoa powder and shake out excess.

Combine the chocolate and butter in a heavy-based saucepan.  Set over moderately low heat and stir until melted and smooth.  Leave to cool.

Whisk together the sugar and egg yolks until pale and thick.  Add the chocolate mixture, nuts and flour and beat in gently. 

In another large bowl, scrupulously clean and grease-free, and using clean beaters, whisk the egg whites until they will hold stiff peaks.  (If not using a copper bowl, add the cream of tartar when the whites are frothy.)

Lighten the chocolate mixture by gently mixing in about one-quarter of the whites.  It is not necessary to blend thoroughly.

Add the remaining whites and fold them in gently but thoroughly using a rubber spatula.

Pour the mixture into the prepared tin.  Bake for 1- 1 1/4 hours or until a skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.  Cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely. 

Dust the cake with cocoa powder.  Serve with sweetened whipped cream or vanilla icecream.