How To Bake A Proper Pie

Chapter Two

He looked very pleased with his job, as he returned to the counter to prepare more food. He heard a bell that was on the door ring. Someone entered or departed. Karl considered both possibilities but chose the first. He glanced around, but he couldn't see anyone. He heard someone remark, "Hey Karl, the usual please." From the high voice, he could recognize that it was a young girl named Sarah who came into his shop every morning to buy school lunch. Karl packed her ham and cheese sandwich in a bag, along with a little cookie as a surprise. With a bright smile, he handed Sarah the bag and waved her off.

After that, he was quite bored. Aside from Miss Smith and Sarah, he had to deal with several other customers, although not quite as many as usual. In this town, his store was quite popular. It was thanks to Miss Smith, who raved about him and his shop whenever she had the chance, which was a lot. Miss Smith was well-known because she was a chatty person, and as a result, Karl and his shop became well-known as well. Karl sighed and attempted to come up with something to do. His thoughts returned to the morning of today and the rush he was in. He couldn't possibly have done everything. He was aware that he had forgotten something, but what was it? He almost remembered, but the bell rang again and his thoughts were gone.

He returned to his head after serving the customer. He tried but failed to recall his thoughts. He began walking around the shop, tidying up after the last visitors. He discovered a dollar and a note that read: "Really sorry you didn't have apple pie today :(" under one of the plates. That's exactly what he wanted to do! He hurried to the kitchen, putting the note and money in his pocket. He was so relieved he remembered. 

He put the pie in the oven after about thirty minutes of preparation. He now has to wait roughly thirty minutes before he can serve it. He felt sad for the folks that'll come in the next half hour. The bell rung all of a sudden. Karl was expecting to see someone he knew, someone who was a regular. As he exited the kitchen, he noticed a small, black-haired man he had never seen before standing at the door. Unlike Karl, who appeared to be calm and nice the majority of the time, the man appeared to be serious and formal. Karl was delightedly surprised, he enjoyed meeting new individuals, particularly those who appeared to be as mysterious as this one.

Karl cleaned his face with his palm, knowing it didn't help at all, but it was all he could do at the time. The mystery man didn't bother coming to the counter to place a purchase; instead, he enjoyed walking around the shop, noticing small features that would typically go unnoticed. Karl wasn't sure whether the man had seen him yet, but it didn't appear as he had. When the stranger's dark eyes met Karls's, the latter became humiliated. He approached the counter gently, removing his hat. He looked at all the sweets Karl had to offer. His gaze was drawn to the blueberry pie, which he thought looked wonderful.

When the man glanced up, he saw Karl's face looking back at him. "Hello, my name is Karl, and I'm the owner of this shop! What can I get you?" Karl said, a little too excitedly. The man was taken aback by how energetic this individual was. The stranger hesitated, "Can I get a piece of that blueberry pie, please?" "Of course, is there anything more you'd like?" Karl hoped this man will remain a little longer than just for one slice of pie. "I wasn't planning on it, but sure," the man responded. Karl was practically bursting at the seams with excitement; he had no idea what had swayed the man's mind, but he hoped it was his energy.

Karl's only desire at this point was to get the man's name, at least his first. "Would you want a cup of coffee?" Karl said after gazing at the man for an inappropriate time. The man appeared to be in an amount of discomfort, but Karl didn't seem to notice. "I'm not a big coffee drinker. Do you have tea?" Karl's store didn't have any tea on hand. And, as ridiculous as it seemed, he had no intention of including it on his menu. Karl knew he needed to locate a bag of tea somewhere, even if it took turning the entire store upside down, to keep this man here for a little longer. "Oh yeah, we do," he lied. "I guess I'll have the tea as well," the man remarked as he turned around. "Can I take a seat here?" Karl grinned and nodded. He was delighted that he had persuaded the man to remain a little longer. Now he needed to find a teabag.