The pie had survived.
Mostly.
One crust leaf had broken.
The filling had leaked slightly along one edge.
Lily stared.
Walter stood behind her.
“She said it would embarrass you.”
He said quietly.
“I thought maybe I made a mistake bringing it.”
Lily turned.
“You thought I would be embarrassed?”
“I didn’t know.”
“Grandpa.”
He looked at her.
“I drove that Buick to your kindergarten graduation.”
She said.
“I know.”
“You and Grandma took me for ice cream in it every Friday when Mom was working late.”
“I remember.”
“I threw up in the back seat after the state fair.”
“I remember that more vividly than necessary.”
Lily smiled briefly.
Then continued.
“Grandma taught me to roll pie crust in your kitchen.”
“She let me eat cinnamon sugar off the counter.”
“She helped me call you when I crashed my first car because I was scared you’d be angry.”
“I wasn’t angry.”
“You were furious.”
“Internally.”
“You drove three hours to college because my dorm heater broke.”
Walter shrugged.
“You needed blankets.”
“You sat beside me at Grandma’s funeral because I couldn’t breathe.”
His face changed.
Lily’s voice broke.
“Why would I ever be embarrassed by you?”
Walter looked down.
“Sometimes people grow into rooms where the old furniture doesn’t match.”
Lily shook her head.
“You are not furniture.”
“I know.”
“But you understand what I mean.”
“No.”
She replied.
“I understand what they made you feel.”
“That’s different.”
Ethan leaned against the doorway.
He had remained quiet, giving them space.
Now he said:
“Lily.”
She looked at him.
“What do you want to do?”
That mattered.
Not what should we do.
Not how do we avoid a scene.
What do you want?
Lily looked at the pie.
Then smiled.
“I want dessert.”
Walter immediately shook his head.
“No.”
“Absolutely not.”
She laughed.
“Grandpa.”
“I am not letting you turn the entire engagement party into a civil war over baked fruit.”
“It isn’t about baked fruit.”
“It is becoming dangerously close.”
“I’m serving it.”
“Lily.”
“Grandma would.”
Walter stopped.
That was unfair.
Lily knew it.
Evelyn absolutely would.
Not angrily.
That was what made Evelyn dangerous in family disagreements.
She could correct somebody while smiling and somehow leave them uncertain whether they had been scolded.
Walter imagined her now.
Hands on hips.
Looking at him.
Are you really going to leave my pie in a basement because somebody thinks money tastes better?
He sighed.
“One pie.”
Lily smiled.
“One pie.”
“No speeches attacking your mother.”
Her smile faded.
“I wasn’t planning to attack her.”
“No humiliating anybody.”
“Grandpa.”
“Promise.”
Lily looked at him.
Then understood.
Walter had been humiliated.
He still did not want revenge.
“I promise.”
Ethan lifted the box.
“I’ll carry it.”
Walter frowned.
“I’m still capable of carrying pie.”
“I know.”
Ethan said.
“But I’m the fiancé.”
“I need useful tasks.”
They walked back upstairs.
When they reached the garden, the dessert service had begun.
Caterers were placing small plates beside the elegant white cake.
Guests moved toward the tables.
Melissa saw them immediately.
More precisely, she saw the cardboard box.