A Pie Warmer

It was a very cold day outside but the Cat was curled up tightly in his home to stay warm. There was a fire going and some friends were on the way to hang out. The winter was just beginning and already it felt like it was going to be a doozy.

The Otter was the first to arrive she brought with her a pecan pie and some warm cider.

“Hello Lillian, it is I, Theodore, are you ready to stay warm and have fun!” Theodore, the Otter, exclaimed.

Lillian, the Cat, did not say anything and remained curled up in a tight little circle, sitting by the fire trying to stay warm.

Theodore didn’t think much of it. Lillian would often be aloof and keep to herself even during social gatherings. Theodore simply decided he would go ahead and put his things away and get ready for the other friends to arrive.

"Hello, Lillian! And... wait, what's this do I smell some wonderful pecan pie from Theodore!" Announced the third guest, Sandana, an Opossum from the doorway.

"Why yes, it is Sandana! Welcome, welcome! I was just getting ready to warm up the pie for later!" Theodore called back.

"Wonderful, I can't wait," Sandana replied, "And how are you, Lillian? Everything going well?"

Lillian once again did not say anything and remained curled up in a tight little circle sitting by the fire to stay warm.

"Right," Sandana started, "Anyway Theodore, is there anything I can help with?"

"Not particularly," Theodore began, "I'm about to pop the pie in the oven for a few minutes but I wonder if we should only warm up one slice at a time since this particular pie has a tendency to cool very quickly and repeat reheating of it is not advised."

"Hmm, I guess we can do a slice at a time," Sandana offered, "It might be a pain to keep getting up and reheating another slice but the pie is so delicious it's best to eat it properly."

"Heat up the whole pie," Lillian said, from her curled-up position, without lifting her head.

"Are you sure?" Asked Theodore.

"Yeah, it's a pretty big pie, how will it stay warm for this long?"

"Heat up the whole pie," Lillian said again.

Theodore and Sandana shrugged at each other and figured since they were in Lillian's house anyway it was her way or the highway so they through the whole pie in the oven to warm up for a few seconds. As the pie was warming in the oven the two poured themselves some glasses of cider. Both were a little concerned about how they were going to keep the pie warm but they were hopeful that Lillian had a plan.

The oven went ding and Theodore took out the pie, he turned to Lillian and for the first time this evening became nervous. He worried that as soon as he would ask Lillian the questions about what to do with the pie there wasn't a 100% guarantee that she would even respond and...

"Oh look at this now," Sandana pointed as Lillian began to stand from her little circle she was in to keep her warm.

"Come, bring the pie over here, I've been keeping this circle warm in front of the fire specifically for this, I didn't want to talk because I was too focused, sorry about that," Lillian said as she stretched her back and made her way over to the cider. "Thanks for coming you two, we're going to have a fun and warm night."

Lillian poured herself a glass of cider. The three friends sat in front of the fire and cut themselves a slice of pie. The pie was warm and gooey for the whole night thanks to the fire and warm circle Lillian left behind.