Lots of Laughs
A shortage of dessert got the best of Grandma.
No dessert? No problem—until the secret got out.
Early one summer Sunday morning in 1939, my grandmother prepared the family dinner she’d serve after church, as usual. But on the way to the service, she remembered it was her turn to bring the preacher home for dinner. A meal with the preacher was an event in those days, and it usually meant preparing a special menu. Grandma had been so focused on canning her garden produce that she had forgotten about her dinner guest until we were all rolling along the country road in our car on our way to church.
Grandma’s mind raced to assess whether she had prepared enough Sunday dinner to include the minister. She decided that she had, but she hadn’t made dessert. She worried that if word got out, it would ruin her reputation as a competent wife, mother and member of the congregation. As her thoughts tumbled forward, she recalled the one piece of leftover pie in the refrigerator. One piece wouldn’t be enough to serve eight!
It could serve one, though, Grandma reasoned as she hatched a plan. She told each family member that when she asked if anyone wanted dessert, they were to answer, “No, thank you! I’m just too full!” That way the pastor could have pie—and Grandma’s reputation as a capable host could be preserved.
The church service seemed to drag on, and Grandma had trouble concentrating on anything but the dinner she would serve later. Afterward, the minister got into the front seat of the car with the older kids and my grandparents squeezed into the back with the younger ones. When she could safely do so, Grandma whispered a last reminder: “Remember. Don’t ask for dessert!”
The dinner went off without a hitch and then the moment arrived—it was time for dessert. My grandmother casually said, “I have apple pie. Who would like a piece for dessert?” A chorus of “No, thank you. I’m too full,” echoed in reply, as Grandma had instructed. To her surprise, even the preacher said, “No, thanks. I’m too full, too!”
My grandfather, hearing this unexpected opportunity, said, “I guess I will have a piece of your apple pie, Mother. You make the best pie in the county.” He added the last with a dose of admiration that he thought Grandma would appreciate.
Grandma placed the pie in front of Grandpa, who dove in with zeal. “My! That does look delicious,” the preacher said. “I guess I’ll have some, too!”
My grandma had to confess. And Grandpa didn’t get apple pie again for a very long time.
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