Tea Party
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WREN HAD BEEN PREPARINGsince dawn.
She'd cleaned the treehouse thoroughly, arranged fresh flowers (actual flowers, not magic ones) in a gourd bowl, and set up the burl wood island with her best teacups and saucers.It was a beautiful day, and she'd opened all the windows to let in the warm afternoon breeze.
But the real preparation had been the new plant.She'd been experimenting with different seeds, looking for something special to serve Sara, when she'd found it in her collection.
Pie plant.
The warmth had felt...complex.Layered.Like a complete meal in one seed.
She'd planted it that morning in her kitchen garden, watching with growing excitement as it grew.
The stalk was thick like rhubarb, with broad leaves.And as it matured, a flower bloomed at the top, eight petals spreading out like...wooden spoons?
No, wait.Theywerespoons.Wooden, smooth and sturdy, each one supporting a small savory pie.She could see steam rising from them—meat pies, vegetable pies, cheese and herb pies.Each one was perfectly cooked and still warm.
"Well that's remarkable," Walter said, watching from his perch."But where are the sweets?"
As if answering, the center stamens sprouted upward, forming a second smaller layer.These held tiny sweet pies of fruit, custard and chocolate.Like a tiered serving platter.Then the stamens curled together at the top, forming a handle.
"It's a tea tray," Wren breathed."It grew an entire English high tea service!"
"Brilliant!"Walter approved."Miss Sara will be delighted."
At precisely three o'clock, Wren heard hoofbeats at the gate.
Sara arrived on a borrowed horse, her face flushed with excitement."I've been looking forward to this all week!"
The dandelions greeted her curiously but let her pass when Wren waved.Sara dismounted and looked around, eyes wide."Wren.This isamazing."
The property had filled in beautifully over the past two weeks.Organized sections, thriving trees, the stream with its water lilies and small pond, the wash drum rotating gently.Everything green and alive and impossible.
"Come inside," Wren said, unable to contain her smile."I made tea.And I have something special to show you."
They settled at the island counter.Wren poured tea—from a tea tree pot, naturally—and brought out the pie plant.
Sara gasped."Is that...are thosepies?On spoons?Growing from a plant?"
"Pie plant.Watch this."Wren lifted the entire structure by its handle.The tray held steady, all the pies perfectly balanced."It's a complete tea service."
"That's incredible!"Sara reached for one of the savory pies, a small meat pie that fit in her palm.She bit into it and her eyes closed in bliss."Oh my gosh.It'sgood.Really good.Still warm!"
They ate their way through the savory layer, trying each variety.The meat pie was rich and flavorful.The vegetable pie had a perfectly seasoned filling.The cheese and herb was creamy and delicious.
"This is my new favorite thing," Sara declared, reaching for the sweet layer."How is this even possible?"
