Perfect Apple Pie

Baking a pie with you is a lot different than doing one alone. I’ve always baked my birthday pie without anyone with me. It isn’t because I’m a snob or a perfectionist. But I’ve just preferred to do it alone. Or that’s what I kept telling myself. As I started greasing the pie tin, I smiled as I listened to you hum. Before this I just listened to whatever podcast that I could find on my phone.

Now, I get to hear you sing.

And it is one of the best sounds that I have ever heard in my life. Truth be told, you are not the best singer in the world. In fact, I think you’re one of the worst. Yet it’s still one of the prettiest sounds that I have heard from you in so long. I smiled as I finished getting the crust into the pie tin. A second later I get the oven turned on and start preheating it as you ask,”Have you ever made an apple pie before?”

Once. By myself. Unlike some of my other pies, this one hadn’t turned out to be the greatest at all. I burned it. It was so bad that it ruined the pie tin that it had been in. I had to throw them both out I was so embarrassed. With a nervous chuckle, I answered,”I have. It got burned. I completely forgot to set a timer and well…”

“Well, good thing you got me. I’ll just put a timer on my phone once I finish with the filling.”,you inform me. You’re such a sweetheart that you’re not even making fun of how much of a ditz that I was. It kind of makes me feel a whole lot better about the situation. Nodding my head, I move the whole pie tin next to you. As you had peeled, cut, and thoroughly washed. Twice. Not that I mind. It was probably a good idea to do. You’re always full of them. When you are done with that you mix the sugar and lemon juice. Along with cinnamon and nutmeg. Though I must remind you to drain a little of the excess liquids. As we don’t want the pie to come out wrong. Soon as you get the ingredients into the pie crust, I put the top over it. Using the knife to cut off excess before lifting the crust up a little.

It was a trick that my mother showed me when I was younger. It allegedly helps with getting a slice out of the pie tin. This does usually work. I carefully seal the crust as you get out the tin foil. Working it the way that we saw in an article that said it would help keep the crust from overbrowning. If that’s to be believed in the slightest. Either way, we’re not taking chances as you put the pie into the oven. It’ll be in there for at least twenty-five minutes or so. Then it’ll take thirty-five minutes without it. While we wait, I start making coffee. Thinking about the last time that I made an apple pie. Well, the last time that I utterly failed at making apple pie. It was so humiliating that I couldn’t believe that I didn’t just google it like you suggested. You’re always full of good ideas.

I wish I was as smart as you are.

I would get things done in so much more time if I was. While we drink coffee I keep an eye on the timer. Considering the last time that I had made this pie. It’s understandable that I’m worried. You can see how tense I am, and you gently rub my hand. With a small smile on your face, you assure,”It’s going to be okay, little nip. We’re going to have a wonderful apple pie together.”

“I promise.”,you tell me. With such earnestness in your voice that I can’t help but smile back at you. Taking a deep breath as the timer goes off on your phone. And I get up to take care of the foil on the pie. Taking it off before putting it back in to bake some more. A second later, you’re setting another timer. Talking about how we’re going to spend the Fourth of July at the beach. Smelling that baking pie as we talk together. One of the best times of my life and one I’ll always remember. Our perfect apple pie.