American Honey

She laughs again. This time, any self-preservation instinct that moved me to flee last time vanishes. Just like a bloom turns toward the sun, I need to be closer to her. I’ve forgotten the table between us, until I bump into it, breaking the spell her laughter cast on me.

“I should go.” I start to back away.

She arches a brow. “And make me eat this pie all by myself? That doesn’t seem very neighborly.”

My eyes find Bess’s apple pie and I hesitate.

Then she goes in for the kill. “I have vanilla ice cream.”

Dammit. That’s just downright irresistible.

“You’ve found my weakness,” I smile.

As she digs through a box for a couple plates, I pull the chairs over and place them around her table.

“Is there anything I can do to help?” I offer.

Shaking her head, Bethany motions for me to sit. She joins me not long after with a plate for each of us.

Waiting for her reaction to Bess’s pie, I hold off eating any of mine and just watch her. She loads her fork up with a good amount of pie and pulls it through her ice cream for good measure. She hasn’t noticed my attention is solely on her. Her full lips circle then close around her fork. Riveted, I watch her eyes widen as she pulls the fork from her mouth.

She chews, covers her mouth as she appears to start to say something; she then shakes her head and moans. Her incredulous eyes train themselves onto mine and she slowly chews. After one final gulp her mouth opens.

“Oh, my God. Seriously. Oh, my God.”

I nod, finally able to take my own bite. “I know.”

Unfazed, she continues, “Seriously, this is the best apple pie I have ever had.”

My mouth is full so I nod again and raise my brows. This is not the kind of pie that allows for conversation while it’s being eaten. All thought, focus and attention must be solely on the heaven on earth that is this pie. The addition of slow churned

vanilla ice cream makes heaven taste downright sinful. Wait, ice cream?

I gulp down my current bite. “So you’ve already been to the grocery store?”

She shakes her head. “No, Bess and I have been talking on the phone for a couple weeks now. She knew I was getting in late last night and offered to stock the fridge for me.”

Smirking to myself, I can’t help but notice how easy it would have been for Bess to leave this pie for Bethany herself, last night.

“She even stopped by this morning to check on me.”

Must have been while I was working.

“She didn’t tell you?” Bethany continues.

Shaking my head, I look forward to finding out exactly what Bess is up to.

After we’ve both finished, I clear the plates and set them in the sink.

“I should really be taking off now.” I take a step toward the door and she follows me.

“I’ve totally kept you. I’m so sorry. Of course you have things to do.”

I shrug. “It’s no problem, really. I’m happy I was able to help and thank you kindly for the piece of pie.”

After opening the front door, I half step out, letting the screen door lean against my back and reach out to shake her hand. “It was nice meeting you, Bethany. If there is anything you need, you just give us a shout.”

Her small hand is warm in mine. “Thank you, Beau. It’s nice to know I have great neighbors.”