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[piemakerprince]

One could say that if there were any one place on the island the pie maker belonged, it was the kitchen. And, if there were any one time he belonged there more than any other, it was the day before Thanksgiving

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[polly_okeefe]

I'm used to seeing people cooking in the kitchen. Other than the organized mayhem for breakfast and dinner, there seems to be an anarchic system of people cook when they can find space. Which is fine, as long as no fights break out and people keep the place relatively clean. Which they do. Relatively. I'm used to slipping in and out, cleaning up the dishes, helping when asked, checking out people's creations.

But the smell of pies this time stops me in my tracks. I stand, close my eyes, and breathe deep. "Mmm! Apple pie!" I opened my eyes and looked at the young chef by the counter, who was busy making another. "That smells wonderful!"

[piemakerprince]

Now that was the sort of compliment that, no matter what sort of mood the pie maker was in, could bolster his spirits when they needed bolstering. This wasn't one of those times, but it was a good thing to hear, nonetheless.

He turned slightly from where he was beginning to clean up the counter, and gave the girl a slightly pleased look. There may have almost been a smile. "Thank you."

[polly_okeefe]

I came forward to see the artist at work, for clearly he was. "Are these for anybody special?" I asked.

[piemakerprince]

"The one in the oven is for a friend's dinner tomorrow," Ned replied. He nodded over at two other pies on a cooling rack as he walked back to the sink to rinse out the small dishtowel he was currently using. "Those are for...well, anyone."

Ned had spent so many years with the Pie Hole that making a single pie and not sharing (even if there would be no payment for them here) felt wrong.

[polly_okeefe]

"Mmm..." I said. "My mouth is watering already."

I looked up at him. "I've seen you around. I think we may be neighbours." I held out a hand. "I'm Polly O'Keefe."

[piemakerprince]

Ned took Polly's hand and shook it for as long as it was required to be polite.

"Oh?" he asked. He wasn't truly aware of who lived around them other than Olive; Chuck would have known, being social enough for the both of them. "I'm Ned. Nice to meet you."

[polly_okeefe]

"Hello, Ned," I said, smiling at him. "You're with two other people, aren't you? Two women?"

[piemakerprince]

"I live with one and next to one," Ned corrected, feeling a bit odd about someone knowing so much about him, but he supposed it couldn't he helped, not if they were neighbors. "And my dog, Digby. He's under the table."

[polly_okeefe]

"Oh!" I hadn't noticed the dog. I leaned over and looked under the table and, sure enough, there he was. "Hi, Digby!" I leaned back. "Did he come with you, or did you find him later?"