(This story is a standalone prequel to my first story, "The Wedding Reception": https://umd.net/stories/i/the-wedding-reception/return/%2Fprofile%2Fi%2Fxman10%2Fsection%2Fblogs%2F)

The board meeting of the Adams County Cherry Growers Association was dragging on into the night. The group was planning the annual Twin County Cherry Festival, a combined event between Adams and Jefferson County in this Geographically Ambiguous Cherry-Producing Region.

The board had spent the evening going over the details of the event, discussing caterers, entertainers, and brainstorming activities for the public. It was shaping up to be a good year for the festival, but the board members were getting worn out from the long meeting.

"Okay, everyone - one last item and we can all go home," said Bill, the association president. "The annual numbers came in this week and Jefferson County once again produced more cherries. That means"

Groans came from around the table.

"...one of us has to get a cherry pie in the face at the fundraising auction."

Excuses immediately filled the room.

"I did it last year."

"I have an event that night, I won't have time to clean up."

"I'm allergic to cherries."

"Hey! Rose, can you do it?"

All the chairs in the room creaked as heads turned to the association's new intern, an attractive redhead.

"Sure, I'll get pied - that sounds like fun!"

"Thanks, Rose! I'll fill you in on the details tomorrow. That's it for tonight people. Good work and we'll see you at the festival."

--

Rose was halfway home when she finally started to contemplate in detail what she had just agreed to. Getting pied? In front of everyone at the auction? It sounded like a humiliating prospect, but she supposed that was the point. Besides, doing silly things in public made Rose feel naughty, in a good way.

She thought about people bidding money to throw a pie in *her* face, and giggled. "Ok, maybe this will be fun after all!"
--

Rose poked around the racks of clothes at the Adam's County thrift shop, hunting for something to wear at the festival. A t-shirt and leggings wouldn't do. She knew she would be the center of attention once the auction began, and the audience would want to see a cute girl have her outfit ruined. She just needed to find The Outfit.

"Something I can help you with?"

Rose looked up from an overfull rack of blouses to see a young man about her age. He had dark hair, just the right amount of stubble to compliment his nicely-defined jawline, and blue eyes framed by bookish glasses. Rose glanced down to the nametag pinned to his shirt.

"Maybe George" began Rose, coyly. "You know the cherry festival this weekend?"

"Do I ever! I just moved to town a couple weeks ago, and that's all I've heard about since!"

Rose blushed. "Yeah, people get pretty excited here in town."

"I didn't mean to discourage you," said George earnestly, "I find it charming."

Rose turned a slightly deeper shade of pink. "Aww, thanks so, you may have heard about the charity auction, then."

"No, I don't think I have."

"Oh. Well, it's at the end of the weekend and benefits several nonprofits in this Geographically Ambiguous Cherry-Producing Region.

"Oh, that's wonderful! This Geographically Ambiguous Cherry-Producing Region is so underserved."

Rose nodded sadly before continuing, "Yes. And one tradition we have is to auction off a chance to throw a cherry pie in the face of a county representative."

George arched an eyebrow. "So are you the auctioneer?"

"No, I'm the one getting pied."

George's jaw involuntarily dropped about half an inch before he quickly composed himself. "I see."

Rose smiled sheepishly.

"So are you looking for something likea smock to keep your clothes clean?"

"Oh no! I want to look good up there. I'm hoping to find something cute. Maybe you could help me with that?" Rose glanced up slyly.

George grinned, "I think we have just the thing in back."

--

Rose looked over her shoulder to inspect the dress in the changing room mirror. She smiled as she thought of the look on George's face as he had emerged, triumphantly, holding the white cherry print sundress aloft.

Gosh, he was cute. She wouldn't have minded getting a pie from him.

Did I really just think that?

Before she could ponder the thought more George knocked on the door.

"How does it fit?"

"Oh my gosh, it's PERFECT! Do you want to see?"

Rose strode out and gave a twirl.

The dress fit her beautifully: cut just right to show off her nicely-proportioned breasts and going down to just below the knee.

"Isn't it just perfect?" squealed Rose.

"You're the cutest target for a pie I've ever seen."

Rose's eyes widened in surprise. George looked away, his face flush.

Rose laughed. "Why, thank you!"

"Say, are you going to be at the festival this weekend?" Rose continued, tentatively.

"Do you think I should be?" George asked with a small smile.

"Come to the auction! Maybe you'll find out just how cute of a pie target I can be!" Rose winked.

--

Rose stood in front of the mirror backstage as the auction drew to a close. Her big moment was almost here. She nervously touched up her makeup, and listened to the crowd outside bidding on cherry-themed crafts, cherry-picking excursions, and baked goods.

She had put a lot of effort in to best compliment the dress. Rose wore her red hair down, falling around her shoulders on either side. She added just a little mascara to bring out her blue eyes and offset the dusting of freckles on her cheeks. To top it all off, she had carefully painted her nails bright red and applied a matching shade to her toes. She applied one more layer of cherry-red lipstick, and wondered how the pie filling would add to the look.

Rose was still excited, but more than a little anxious. There were so many people in the audience to watch her get pied! Would George show up?

Rose watched from the wing of the stage as the number of auction items dwindled, knowing she would soon be next.

Finally, it was time. "And now for our final item," announced the auctioneer. "Rose, can you please join us?"

Rose took a deep breath and stepped out, barefoot, onto the stage. She made her way to the tarp and stool that had been set up just for her.

"According to the annual harvest tally, Jefferson County produced the most cherries this year." The auctioneer began. "That means, per our tradition, a representative of the Adam's County Cherry Growers Association will get a cherry pie in the face. This year, that honor falls to Rose, a brave intern from Adams County."

Rose gave a nervous smile and waved to the audience.

"Now" the auctioneer continued, as an assistant wheeled out a cart carrying an tray covered by an ornate silver dome.

"Who would like to throw this pie" with a flourish, the auctioneer lifted the cover, "...in young Rose's face?"

Cheers went up from the audience.

"Apparently a lot of you," he chuckled. "Well, that honor will go to the highest bidder. Rose, why don't you take a seat and we'll begin."

Rose hopped up on the stool, smoothing out the front of her dress. She crossed her legs, placed her hands in her lap, and grinned at the audience.

"Okay, who will start us out at $100? Yes sir." The auctioneer pointed out the first hand that shot up.

"I like that enthusiasm! How about $120? Who will do $120?"

Another hand went up. Rose couldn't believe it - it was George! He smiled at her and winked.

The bidding was now up to $250, and Rose felt giddy - both from the dollar amount and the fact that George was still in the running.

As bidding continued Rose examined the pie. It was expertly crafted. The deep tin was full of sticky cherry filling inside a nice, flaky crust, with a heaping layer of fluffy whipped cream atop. Rose found the combination of cherries and cream unusual, but blushed as she realized it was put there to make an even bigger mess when it hit her face!

$350 now. Holy cow, these people really wanted to throw a pie in her face! One bidder dropped out, and there were just two left now - Beth MacIntosh, the president of the rival Jefferson County Cherry Co-Op and George. Beth seemed eager to flout her county's win, but Rose really wanted it to be George.

"Do I have $400?" Beth raised her hand again. George looked dispondent. "$450 now, $450? Nobody? Nobody?"

"$400 going once"

Oh no! Rose had to act fast. She gave George her best doe-eyed smile and winked at him. He grinned back. Rose wiggled her toes, nervously.

"$400 going twice" George exhaled sharply and stuck his hand up. "$600!" He yelled. A collective gasp went through the crowd.

"Whoa, a big jump up there! Anyone for $650?"

Beth put her hand up.

Dammit.

"$650, anyone for"

"$800!" George stammered. This time, Rose gasped.

Beth crossed her arms and huffed. It was clear she had given up.

"$800 for the young man in front! Any more takers? no? congratulations sir, come on up!"

Rose was estatic. She sat beaming at George as he nervously walked up on stage.

The young man seemed in a daze as the auctioneer handed him the pie. "What's your name, sir?"

"George."

"Ok George, let her have it!"

George stepped toward Rose, who giggled. She tucked her hair behind her ears, and put her hands back in her lap.

George hesitated, seeming to lose his resolve now that he was finally about to do it.

"Go for it, you know you want to," Rose said to George, with a grin. She closed her eyes and held back a few more giggles.

"Okay George, one two three "

SPLAT!

Whipped cream and cherry filling splattered everywhere, and Rose's hair flew back from the force. The tin clattered to the floor, revealing Rose's face, covered in an assortment of white and red. For a moment she just sat there mouth agape, before quickly breaking out into wave upon wave of laughter.

"Oh my gosh, this feels so weird!" She licked her lips. "but it certainly tastes good!"

Rose slowly brought her hands to her face, wiped her eyes, and looked down to survey the damage. Her beautiful dress was now covered in pie filling, and a large glob that splattered under her chin onto her neck was now seeping down into her cleavage. She didn't stop it.

She looked up to see an outstretched hand. It was George. She accepted it and got to her feet, standing beside him.

"Wow, a huge round of applause for Rose, what a good sport!"

The audience cheered, and Rose stood on stage beaming. Then, caught up in the silliness and spontaneity of the moment, she turned to the handsome young man beside her, pulled him in with a gooey hand to the face, and gave him a peck on the cheek. The cherry filling she smeared on him was a perfect compliment to the classic lipstick mark she left behind.

"Awww!" Came the reaction from the crowd. George's face turned almost as red as the pie filling Rose left behind.

Rose stepped backstage and motioned for George to follow. She was handed a towel and started to clean her face.

"Here, let me get a spot for you," said George after finishing with his own towel. He gently dabbed cream from around Rose's ear, her cherry earrings an elegant contrast to the remnants of mess left behind on her face.

"Thanks for bidding on me, George, that was so much fun! By the way, did you have a name in the last story?"

"No, I don't think I did."

"Huh. That seems like an oversight."

"Yeah, it does. Say, once we're done cleaning up, can we grab some dinner tonight?"

"I'd love that. I suppose you already bought me dessert, so dinner's on me!"

"Savory's not really my thing," said George.

"What?"

"Oh, nothing. Dinner sounds wonderful. I'll see you tonight!"