The Shepherd's Pie

Angie was a typical teenager.  She did the things typical teenagers do, which didn’t include cooking a meal.  But things had changed recently, and she wanted her first ever meal to be perfect.

It had to be shepherd’s pie, her dad’s favorite.  She’d watched her mom make it a thousand times.  Angie made the crust, real butter was the secret, and placed it in the pan, cutting off the excess and gently shaping the edge.  Quite decorative for her first pie crust!

Next the layers: the meat with its savory aroma; the veggies, including her dad’s favorite mushrooms; the whipped potatoes, cream cheese being its yummy secret; and finally cheese topping off her handiwork.  Very nice!  She smiled.  Now it just needed to cook.

While the pie cooked, she went in the den, absorbed in her thoughts.  If love could make the pie, it would be better than a Paula Deen pie!  Tears welled up in her eyes, as she heard the door open.  She quickly wiped the tears away.

“Is that you, Daddy?”

“Yes, its me. What do I smell?”

“Oh, I cooked supper tonight!”

“Really?”  He walked in and gave Angie a big hug.  She looked at his eyes.  They still looked so sad, no matter how hard he tried to act otherwise.

“Shepherd’s Pie!  You know that’s my favorite!”

Angie filled her dad’s plate with the bubbling pie. 

“Your angel wings just grew a size larger!” He laughed, as he took a bite of the savory pie.

“Absolutely delicious!  Just as good as your….well, I just love it!” he said with a huge smile on his face.

This was the biggest smile she had seen since her mom died last week, and  the moment when Angie and her dad could begin the long road of healing together.