Welcome to Cozy Poetry Corner by Debra A Winter (Richter)

I Wanted to Impress Grandpa:

His Pie Had Other Plans.

Soon, my twelve birthday guests were to arrive, my house was already pleasantly smelling with the mouth-watering aroma of a Ham Dinner. As my guests arrived, surprised to see each other, as if they all didn’t live within ten miles.

Grandpa wanted to be served first. No problem; it was his birthday anyway. We then said grace and dug in. After we stuffed our bellies, everyone wanted to wait a while for the birthday cake and ice cream. No problem, I was full anyway.

While we recovered, Grandpa opened his presents. Everyone was chatting and waiting for dessert, and I had his favorite pie baking in the oven—my big surprise.

Suddenly, Boom! You could feel the floor shake.  

Grandpa just jumped; dishes rattling on the table.

“What was that?” Someone whispered to the one next to them.

Grandpa said, “Too many candles on my cake, maybe?”

I rushed to the kitchen, only to find the oven door blown open. Grandpa’s pie splattered all sticky, charred, smoking disaster. Grandpa’s beautiful birthday pie is gone. My redecorated kitchen is no more! Nerves, shot along with my kitchen, pie and patience!

So much for the grand finale present. I had for grandpa.

Thinking fast, I served the cake and ice cream with whipped cream and cookies. Not what I planned, but at that point I was just trying to survive the evening. This was just as embarrassing as the pie blowing up.

As we cut the cake, Grandpa made his wish. The candles went out smoothly. I didn’t buy dudes. Now, surprisingly, everyone shared stories about Grandpa’s birthday and past ones too. This one we’ll reminisce about next year. I’m glad that my guests were understanding and thankful for this.

As for Grandpa’s exploded pie, well….

He hugged me and said, “That’s okay, you tried your best. At least no one was hurt. Besides this birthday I’ll always remember, and I’m sure everyone else too.”

With what Grandpa said, I don’t feel so bad; in fact, I feel much better.