12. PIE

"Who IS this child?"  he thinks.

the limes are cut, the ingredients and tools are ready,

and the oven is preheating.

the cat box has been scooped,

The place is in order, the bird and the dog have been fed,

When John comes back to help Helen finish up, he is awed.

"I'll clean the kitchen", says Helen.

( She's wearing her "key lime" sweater for good luck.)
"Have a beer and put your feet up for awhile."
(It's almost cocktail hour.)

First they have to clean up the other side of the kitchen.
 

John has his doubts, but as always,

he's game.

 Key lime, of course.

She can make layers now.

She hasn't made a pie yet.

She thinks she's ready.

 

 

 Her Grandma was a chef; she had three restaurants.

But mostly Daddy teaches her.
He takes  her picture every time she makes something.

  Grandma gave Helen her first cookbook...
it was Grandma's first cookbook when she was a little girl!
It's taped together and has splotches all over the pages.
"Vintage", grunts Grandma, 
"just like me".

 Crazy Fudge Cake was the first thing Helen ever made by herself.

  Everyone in Helen's family loves to cook.




***  PIE  ***