So, it's ThanksGiving, 40 or so years ago! I cannot WAIT to get home to family AND all that good cook'n. Finished my last finals done with my last class. I was so anxious to get home, I packed my bags ahead and dragged them with me across campus from class to class. A burden, but, well, prepared!

A student, of course, I didn't cook back then; only a little change in my pocket (and not much has changed there, LOL); but, well, um grown now, I want to contribute something to the tables' bounty. I remember this Mom & Pop place in Adams' Morgan that had a really good Home-Made Pie and, I was told, they sold out every year!

So disappointedly missed last time, this year, I'm ready! I pre-ordered that sucka two months ahead! Um gon make sure my family tastes this GREAT PIE, I had to plan and save a bit for, because, hesitate and they'll all be gone! Yup, THAT GOOD! So, I swing by to pick up my pre-paid, $10 Home-Made Pie (at the time, a lot out of my pocket). With my bags in one hand and the other hand to cradle My Pie, I'll admit, it's a bit much; but, well, "Mariby, let's do this!" It's only four hours on the train. Yup, THAT GOOD!

Yay, I got My Pie! Hailed a taxi to Union Station, diligently keeping track of my bags and especially, My Pie, which I place carefully next to me on the seat in the taxi, positioning it just right, so it won't tilt or fall. Mental note: "When you get out of the cab, DON'T forget My Pie!"

Short ride to Union Station, one hand on all my bags and my other hand decidely dedicated to My Pie! I slowly ease out of the taxi with My Pie pedestaled in my palm and deservedly so, because my family will flip when they taste My Pie! Yes, of course, I considered perpetrate'n - I cooked it; but, My Momma would know, so...!

Long azz walk across the grand hall of Union Station, bought my ticket, then another challenging walk through the corridors, down the escalators, to the trains platform and all the while, yessss, being particularly careful not to shake up My Pie and with a keen eye, because, well I KNOW EVERYBODY'S got their eye on, "The Girl With The Pie!"

A plus, I don't like to rush, so I left early enough, so I wouldn't be frenzied or pressed for time. Um good! And it's time to board! No worries, Just don’t drop My Pie! Though, it is a little awkward through the aisle and to my seat and sooooo thankful no one sat next to me, so I was able to cradle My Pie safely and comfortably in the seat right beside me, of course, I graced My Pie with the window seat. Just in case I fell off to sleep, um thinking, somebody would have a lot of balls to reach OVER me to grab My Pie. So, I'm aware, right!

Four hours later, I am ecstatic that I made it all the way home to NJ without incident. All the while, a silent chant of, “Don’t drop My Pie! Don’t drop My Pie! Don’t drop My Pie!” Admittedly, I breathed a sigh of relief, when with all my bags AND My Pie, I made it off the train, down the platform, pass the gates, through the corridor of Penn Station and yaaaaaay, I spotted a pay phone (pre-cell phone). Called My Momma and told her, I have arrived with a SURPRISE! I never told her about My Pie!

If only it had been a phone booth!

Yes, yes, I know where I am! Penn Station, lots of people and My Momma taught me well. "Hold your purse close, keep an eye on your bags!" So, I strategically set my bags down near, no, no, on and touching my feet; but, well, I need both my hands to drop a coin and dial her number, so, I placed My Pie, and I do mean, right in front of my eyes on the shelf below the phone and called My Momma! "I'm here! Gotta surprise! Love you! See you soon!"

Giddy to be home, yaaaay, My Momma's on the way, I happily grab my bags and, and, I SWEAR, I ONLY stepped - and I mean, just a few feet - away, when I ALMOST FREAKED in realizing, My Pie was not pedestaled in its rightful position, I quickly jerked around to retrieve MY PIE, and OOOOOH, MYYYYYY, GAWD! My Pie...GONE!

Imagine the sound of the music in the movie, "Psycho," as I stood, GLARING, sharply jerking my head around in every direction, SCREAMING, "MYYYYY PIIIIIIIE!" Do you hear me, suspicious of everybody in plain sight in the station - the lady with the baby carriage, the old man with the cane, the young dude with the red cap, the porter, the policeman, the white family -- no, no, I mean, the family was all dressed in white, which is suspicious in itself...in Union Station, and of course, everybody said, The Homeless (understandably), but I wasn't let'n nobody off the hook!

SHOOK my holiday! If you coulda seen me, as I stood in the middle of the station, circling, whining, cussing, berating...deflating!

Let me tell you, ERRRRRRRYBODY heard My Pie story at ThanksGiving dinner! It was a big joke: "WHO STOLE MY PIE!"

Yup, it was Sweet Potato!