Heaven is Apple Pie and a Hummingbird

Our new neighbor takes her first bite of my apple pie, puts her fork down, gently presses both of her clenched fists on the dining room table and says, "Oh honey, this is heaven." "Thanks," I say, with a genuine smile as she picks her fork back up, shoving another big piece into her mouth. "I'll send you home with a piece." Looking across the table towards my step mom I expect to see her ornery expression in reaction to the use of the word heaven, and there it is.

"Momma ornery. Miss rigidly righteously religious. Oh, crap. Here it comes." I think. But to my relief, my step mom remains silent in her ornery stew as my jaw tightens and my mind begins to race. "If you are so damned religious, why are you always flipping out about blasphemy? What about Christian kindness, patience and tolerance? Just about everything these days, according to you is blasphemy. I want to shout in your face, "she just likes the damn pie for Christ's sake," But then you'll get me on a double blasphemy, so I'll remain quiet faking a smile."

A hummingbird stops at the feeder right outside the dining room window breaking our silence, as the three of us can't help but comment on its beauty.

Our neighbor wipes a crumb from the corner of her mouth, as she finishes her last bite of pie. Looking towards the ceiling I say with defiance, "Heaven, you say. My pie is heaven. I read this quote the other day. Heaven is a place full of everything you get sent to hell for." And then I look down towards her and we both laugh out loud not noticing as my step mom gets up and leaves the room.