Sherrys Cherry Pie

ATTENTION: The story below has instances of non-consensual sex, bullying, and alcohol use that leads to sex under the influence. Please do not read if those do not interest you. It is also just a fantasy, a slight bend on reality. If you're looking for something more realistic, this might not be it. There is no sex in this first chapter.

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My Momma told me 3 things growing up. One, there is no shame in asking for help, but don't take advantage of people's kindness. Two, if you smile at your enemies, they'll usually lose steam and screw off. And three, you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. I thought about these tenets almost every day growing up. I really had no choice. I was an only child, and always was a little on the chubby side. With no older brothers or sisters to look out for me, I had to play the happy idiot in the face of bullies and the rest of the world.

I was amiable to a fault and always lent what I could out to people, cause Momma said it would come back to me. That was the Christian way, she said. With permanently rosy cheeks, and bright red curls, I was constantly pinched and cooed over for being "cute". Being soft spoken and polite only made it easier for kids to refer to me as a "teacher's pet", a "goody two-shoes", and a "suck-up". It wasn't really my fault, I don't think. The teachers and nice people from our town would stick up for me sometimes, cause they all saw me as "Maybelline's sweet daughter Sherry", or "That bright girl Sherry Tucker".

So I played to my strengths and life was a bit easier. Still, when the teacher's turned their backs, and the sweet people in town weren't looking, my classmates and other kids would harass me something fierce. I tried to smile through it all, offering compliments to every insult, and even hugging people who tried to push me down. Yes, often enough times, those easily bored kids went off to find someone who would cry or beg for them to stop, but other times it would just get me the same treatment the next day.

Unknown to those kids, I did cry. I laid in my Momma's lap bawling almost every day, begging her to tell me why everyone was so mean. It was just me and Momma for the longest time and she was my rock. I'd spend the weekends and hours after school on weekdays in her garden or in the kitchen helping her with everything. She played records, and we danced. She taught me everything she knew. I was baking, weeding, and quoting Scripture by heart by the time I was 10.

When I joined the choir at church it gave me a reason to avoid going outside where those kids were, and it made Momma so very happy. She would attend every practice, waving her worn bible in the air and crying out in joy. Of course, the moment the kids in town heard, that just added to their distaste for me. I couldn't get away from them but the things my Momma taught me really did work, so I kept trying to be friendly until those kids got too old to bother. Sure they still snickered at the clothes I wore that my Momma and I would make together, or call me rude names in the hall, but thankfully it hardly ever got physical. Maybe a shoulder shove or paper balls thrown but my Momma said I was strong and I believed her, so those things went mostly ignored.

Years later, when I was 16, having my birthday, my Momma introduced me to Duke Holiday, or Mr. Holi as he said I could call him. Turns out my Momma and Duke had been courting for over a year, and she thought I was ready to find out. Being a Momma's girl and slightly possessive over my best and only friend, I was mistrustful at first. But Mr. Holi had complimented my angel's food cake that me and Momma made and he came bearing the sweetest gift I had ever received.

It was a cassette player and a pair of baby blue headphones. I had drooled over this exact set in the magazines in the hair salon my Momma worked at for months. She'd even snuck one of those magazines home for me to stick on my wall. With the permission of my Momma's boss Mrs. Jessie, plates of my brownies and cupcakes would be sold in the shop so I could save up for the set. But Mr. Holi had done all the work for me in the end, buying the set himself. My Momma even gave me all the money from my sweet sales too!

That night my Momma let me have a tiny glass of sherry, like my name, to celebrate my 16th birthday and Mr. Holi spun me around our carpeted living room with Momma's records playing. We all laughed until our sides hurt and at the end of the night I thanked Mr. Holi for his gifts and taking care of my Momma. He told me he wants to start taking care of the both of us starting real soon, then said goodbye to Momma with a sweet kiss.

I used that saved up sweets money to buy some cassettes. My Momma and Mr. Holi came too. While I was trailing down the aisle behind them, I heard giggling erupt and it caught my attention. I saw Missy Taylor and Shawna Matthews staring at me and realized I was the source of their amusement. They knew it was getting to me so I just smiled and waved. They stopped giggling and looked over at me awkwardly. I told Missy I saw her flips and somersaults in PE just last week and she could be an Olympian if she wanted, then I congratulated Shawna on getting Greg Surley to take her to the Spring Formal, he was a real cutie and I hoped they had fun. Thankfully, Mr. Holi called for me and I waved again before walking off. I couldn't help but chuckle to myself at those two, took the wind right out of their sails, didn't I?

That wasn't the last time Mr. Holi came to visit with us. Soon every Friday night, me, Momma, and Mr. Holi found ourselves dancing and watching tv like three peas in a pod. It was 2 months into me knowing him that he'd asked my permission to propose to my Momma and she nearly fell over with happiness. I jumped over myself to say YES! We hopped right into the planning, I begged Momma to let me make her wedding dress and the cake and she agreed. Mr. Holi chimed in as long as some of it was my angel food cake, he was happy.

My Momma and Poppa Holi had a fall wedding. I was the maid of honor, my baby cousin Suzy-Ann was the flower girl and the church ladies all pitched in to make the food. It was a great big wedding. Uncles, aunts, my grandparents and a gaggle of cousins from every side came. I shook hands with some of Poppa Holi's relatives and everyone raved over the cake. I started crying the moment I saw my Momma walk down the aisle and I was still teary eyed by the end of the night. She looked so beautiful in the pearls, white lace, and satin.

When it got to the toasts Poppa Holi went up on stage and held up a glass of champagne. He thanked everyone for coming, thanked my Momma's church for the delicious food and then raised his glass to me. He thanked me for the dress and the cake and being a good daughter to my Momma. Finally all the glasses went up for Momma, Maybelline Tucker, the seamstress, beautician, and best darn tambourine player in town. She was radiant, her eyes full of tears and her smile lighting up the room. I can remember that night as one of the happiest days of my life.

That's how we went on for a good long while, we were really blessed. It had been 1 year and 7 months since and everything was coming up well on our end. I was weeks away from graduating, and while I wasn't top of my class, I had passed everything with great marks. On the day of graduation, Momma made a big dinner and my grandparents came to eat with us. That night unfortunately Poppa Holi was stuck at work, but called with congratulations and a promise to make up the missed dinner to me. I was admittedly a bit glum but my Momma's cooking and her teasing me over missing Poppa Holi made me laugh and forget my disappointment.

When Poppa Holi finally got home it was after 1am and I sat guiltily at the top of the stairs. I heard my Momma ready to give her husband a stern talking to, but when she quieted I got a little worried and snuck closer to the living room. Poppa Holi had his head in his hands and his whole body looked bone tired. He told my Momma he was upset about missing the dinner but he really had no choice. Three of his waitresses had decided to get pregnant at the same time so their babies could share a birthday and once it was confirmed, two of them up and quit. Only one was still working. He had to stay to help his last waitress who also doubled as the hostess. On top of that, he had to replace a few cooks and dishwashers and the new hired team seemed a bit "raw". I wasn't sure what that meant though.

Poppa Holi ran a restaurant with his name sake and although our town wasn't big, it was the best restaurant here. Every time we visited it was packed but it always made me proud that Poppa Holi was successful and that he was good at what he did. Now, looking at this mountain man, all tore up inside, my heart was breaking. I didn't know anything at all about running a restaurant but I was determined to help. I went to bed that night with a storm of nervousness and excitement brewing in my belly. I didn't really have a plan, I was just gonna come out and ask for it!

The next morning I woke up feeling perfectly odd. I was done with school, with those kids who picked on me, and I was almost 18. And now, if all goes well, I could have a job. I wasn't sure if that roiling storm in me was ever going to stop! When I went downstairs I was shocked by the sight of Poppa Holi in one of Momma's aprons, with a skillet in his hands, whistling and cooking what looked to be hot cakes. When he saw me he smiled and flipped the fluffy looking treat to the delight of my Momma who pretended to chide him for being a show off. At my seat was a big plate piled high with all my favorites. There was scrambled eggs, home fries, scrapple, AND bacon, jam and butter on toast and finally, Poppa Holi slid two freshly cooked hot cakes right up next to it all.

He started out by apologizing, even before good morning, which made me feel special, and terrible at the same time because Poppa Holi was worried. I gave him a big hug and thanked him for cooking, told him this was better than a Graduation dinner. To that my Momma chimed in that I didn't seem to think so when I was chowing down some brown sugar ham. We shared a laughed and I tucked into the amazing food in front of me. Poppa Holi was drinking coffee and sharing the newspaper with my Momma when he asked me how he could make up for missing the dinner to me. My momma told him he had already cooked breakfast, she knew I wouldn't want him to go out of his way.

I agreed and suddenly wondered if I should ask now, seeing as he was in a mighty favorable mood. Poppa Holi asked again, insisting that there was something he could do. I popped out and asked if I could be trained to work in the diner. My Momma dropped her fork and Poppa Holi choked on his coffee. He immediately looked at my Momma for her reaction and she looked as red as a tomato. Before she could even speak I went down the list of how it would help, and not forgetting to slip in an apology for being nosy and eavesdropping. I finally stopped rambling and put on a pair of doey eyes for the two of them.

Poppa Holi kept looking back between me and Momma, waiting for her to say something. She shook her head and waggled a finger at me.

"Just you make sure you're on time for rehearsals on Saturdays and church on Sundays, missy!"

I leapt up from my seat and threw my arms around Momma, kissing her cheek happily. She chuckled and kissed me back. Poppa Holi asked me if I was serious and I told him I'd do anything to help. He was my family and I'd try my absolute hardest. He seemed satisfied by that answer and said after breakfast if my Momma didn't have anything planned for us, we could hop right into training. I was so excited I gulped down my food and after a fast wash, was dressed and ready to go. I kissed Momma again and she made me promise I'd behave and not embarrass Poppa Holi. That was the last thing I wanted to do!

The training was tough! I wasn't used to running around and I will say, I was out of breath within the first 30 minutes! Poppa Holi was so kind though. He followed behind me, asking the customers to be patient as I was training. He taught me about the layout and sections, and for a bit I just studied the menu. In the second half of the day it got a bit busier and I screwed up a few times but the townsfolk were extra sweet and said I was still doing a great job. It made it easier that I was approaching each new customer with a big ol' smile and as much sugar as I could. Poppa Holi introduced me to the hostess/waitress Melanie Bridge but she had been two years ahead of me in school so I knew her fairly well. She was a gorgeous girl and was showing just a little with a baby bump. I told her the stories my Momma told me about how being pregnant makes a lady glow and she was definitely looking amazing.

Melanie was really nice and spent the whole day trying to keep me motivated. With Poppa Holi on my other side, I got through my first day! I met the "back of the house team" which was the chefs, the bus boys, and the dishwashers. I thought back to what Poppa Holi called them. Raw, it seemed to fit. I was intimidated at first glance and tried extra hard to be obliging to them. Each time I spoke with them, I could tell Poppa Holi was watching close behind and I was grateful for it. This went on for two weeks straight until Melanie and Poppa Holi let me out on my own! I was seating, serving and smiling like a pro!

Still the restaurant seemed to bulge with visitors and we often had trouble keeping up. After a particularly rough breakfast rush, Poppa Holi came to the front from his office with clip boards and his tie on. Seeing my confusion he told me had found two girls to help with the waitressing so me and Melanie wouldn't have so much to do. I couldn't imagine when Melanie was doing all this by herself on top of being pregnant. A pair of girls finally came in and I felt struck stupid. It was Missy Taylor and Shawna Matthews! They saw me in my apron and comfy shoes and for a second I felt like a deer in headlights.

Poppa Holi called me and Melanie over to introduce us. He asked the girls if they knew me from school and they said yes. Leaving out of course that they were awful to me. When Poppa Holi looked at me for a follow up, I realized I had an opportunity. If I said anything bad about them, I'm sure he wouldn't have hired them but the restaurant did need help, and this town was too small to be taking away work from people who wanted it. I told Poppa Holi that Missy ran the chili booth in school two years straight with her tumbling group and Shawna ran a kissing booth that flat out paid for the football team's new jerseys. They'd be great.

Missy and Shawna looked shocked for sure, I'm guessing they thought I'd go with the other option too. Not only had I said something kind, but I'd remembered when parts from school that made them look great for the job. When Poppa Holi had to walk away, and Melanie was away seating people the two girls came in close and dropped their voices to a whisper.

They told me that this didn't mean anything and they didn't owe me for that. I was frustrated that me trying to do a good thing still didn't work but I didn't want any trouble especially when it wasn't just about me anymore. They were all smiles and eagerness when Poppa Holi got back but their eyes were shooting daggers at me.

But after their training was done I'd stop caring. As long as they were professional, I would be too busy to bother with them anyway. Plus I had lots of friends in the restaurant. There was Melanie of course, and I even got closer to the back of the house staff. They were a little gruff but Momma said that God could choose anyone to test your good will through. So I was kind and laughed at jokes, even the grownup ones that I didn't get all that well. I even started bringing goodies in after I okayed it with Poppa Holi. He thought it was sweet that I was being personable and trying to keep things running smoothly.

It felt like sometimes the other waitresses were trying to do the opposite. Missy and Shawna had gotten two more of their friends hired after their training was over and while they could pour on the sugar to Poppa Holi and the customers, the young ladies seemed to think the back of the house staff and I were contagious. This often led to pranks from the cooks like food held back even after it's done since the waitresses had to deal with the customers, not them. I'd try to smooth things over as best as I could and usually bring something in the next day to thank everyone for being on their best behavior.

Eventually the cooks, dishwashers, and busboys told me I should get Poppa Holi to put some of this stuff on the menu and shockingly the new dessert options were a huge success! My name was even on the menu! A favorite seemed to be the cherry pie with ice cream. Momma and Poppa Holi were so proud and it really seemed to bring the place to life a little bit more. We had a full staff, service was in full swing from open to close and Poppa Holi couldn't stop telling me how much of a difference my help was making.

**Three Years Later**

The winter rain had come in full force and it was barely getting light out these days. I took to wearing a set of Thermals under my clothes and sweating all day in case I had to step out. It was 5am and still dark outside. I unlocked the doors and made sure to lock them behind me. I made short work of getting everything wiped off, turning on some lights and prepping a few breakfast items for the kitchen. The tables and seats were sprayed, ketchups were married, and I started brewing the coffee.

Since I had a special announcement today and I had brought in a fresh pie to go with the coffee. The kitchen staff started rolling in at 6:15, and I made sure to say good morning to all. My kitchen manager Landon came behind me with a pie cutter, heading toward the treat. In a playful way I popped the back of his hand and he let out an exaggerated yelp.

"Sherry, you're so violent. You work us to death and now we can't even have any pie?"

I chuckled at him and patted his arm.

"Don't you worry Landon, I'll cut an extra big piece for you. But you've got to wait until the girls get here. It's for everyone. In fact, put this in the oven and keep it warm for me."

Landon leaned in and rested his chin on my shoulder.

"I don't need an oven to keep your pie warm Sherry."

I blushed hard and gave him a joking shove with my shoulder. In my best authoritative voice, I tried to scold him. It didn't work and I couldn't help but laugh as I spoke.

"You waste anymore of my time, young man and I'll dock your pay."

Landon laughed and carried the pie toward the kitchen. I had to touch my cold hand to my forehead for a bit of relief. The kitchen staff tended to be a bit flirty but I knew they didn't mean anything by it. They were the same way with Melanie and the rest of the waitresses, although Melanie was the only one out of them who thought it was cute and sometimes played along. Nothing ever came out of it though. She had gotten married shortly after she had her little boy Dexter.

The story was that her pregnancy had some complications and she was holding on to one of the EMS guys who came to take her to the hospital like a life jacket the whole time. He spent the whole time talking to her and reassuring her that everything would be fine. By the end they knew each other's Christian names and that EMS man who she told us was named Bruce kept coming back all 4 days Melanie was there. She invited me, Momma and Poppa Holi to the wedding. Momma had crochet a bunch of socks, wipees, sweaters, hats and blankets for baby Dexter. I of course was happy to do the cooking and Poppa Holi even had the reception dinner at the diner free of charge.