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Don’t worry, I took the toothpicks out before they ate it

It all started with a dinner party. A simple, well-intended gathering of friends, meant to be a relaxed evening of laughter, good food, and great company. I had spent the entire day preparing the menu—appetizers, entrees, dessert—meticulously planning every dish to perfection. But, as always, things didn’t go quite as smoothly as I had hoped.

The star of the evening was supposed to be my famous stuffed chicken breasts. A dish I had perfected over the years—tender, juicy, and filled with a delicious blend of spinach, cheese, and sun-dried tomatoes. The only catch? To keep the stuffing in place while the chicken cooked, I had to use toothpicks. A minor detail, really. But one that, in hindsight, could have been disastrous.

The evening began with a few minor hiccups. The salad dressing wasn’t quite right, the bread was a little over-toasted, and I may have spilled some sauce on my shirt right before the guests arrived. But these were all small things. Nothing compared to what nearly happened with the main course.

As my friends settled in, chatting and sipping on their drinks, I rushed back to the kitchen to plate the chicken. The dish looked perfect—golden brown, glistening with juices, and bursting with flavor. I carefully arranged each piece on a platter, garnished with fresh herbs, and carried it proudly to the dining table.

Everyone dug in immediately, compliments flying around the room. “This is amazing!” one friend said. “You really outdid yourself,” another added. I smiled, basking in the moment of success. But then, just as I was about to take my first bite, a terrible realization hit me—I had forgotten to remove the toothpicks.

Panic surged through me. My mind raced. Had anyone bitten into one yet? Were they about to? My eyes darted around the table, searching for any signs of distress. Everyone seemed fine. No choking. No horrified expressions. Maybe, just maybe, I had caught it in time.

Feigning calmness, I reached for my own plate and subtly inspected my piece of chicken. Sure enough, a tiny wooden toothpick was still holding the stuffing in place. My stomach dropped. If my portion had one, so did everyone else's.

Without drawing attention, I cleared my throat and, in the most casual voice I could muster, said, “Oh, by the way, I took the toothpicks out before you ate it.” A blatant lie, but one necessary to avoid mass panic.

One friend paused mid-bite, looking at me suspiciously. “You did take them all out, right?”

I nodded enthusiastically. “Of course!”

I watched as they continued eating, completely oblivious to my near catastrophe. Meanwhile, I discreetly went around the table, subtly checking plates and removing any stray toothpicks before anyone noticed.

By some miracle, no one bit into one. The evening continued, laughter and conversation flowing as if nothing had happened. And I? I made a silent vow—next time, no toothpicks.

Let me know if you want any tweaks!

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