Throwing the pie

I’ve blogged about throwing the key lime pie. I’ve received phone calls and messages from people urging me to stop throwing the key lime pie.

Puhlease. I haven’t thrown the key lime pie. I haven’t even baked it yet. I’ve just researched lots of recipes, fantasised about making them and shared a few of my favourites on Facebook.

If I was throwing the key lime pie it would be one messy, messy scene.

And who wants that?

But I would like to understand why I am so panicked by what is happening.

Especially after discovering a book beside my bed last week called Mating In Captivity (“can we desire what we already have?”).

I’d completely blanked out buying it, but shards of recollection have come seeping back.

I ordered it over the internet back in 2011. That should tell me something, shouldn’t it?

And yet I still keep rending my clothes and wailing “WHY, WHY, WHY?”

I wasn’t happy. I just didn’t realise he wasn’t happy either. How did I not notice that?

Why the freaking hell didn’t either of us do something to salvage the situation before it was too late?

I am so pissed off with myself. And him.

But it’s too late now, too much water has flowed under the very shaky bridge.

So why am I so tortured about something that I was so clearly feeling ambivalent about three years ago?

Because I’d decided that keeping the family together was better than breaking it apart. And then I just got on with it.

Everyone keeps telling me I’m wrong, that I’ll look back in a few years time and know that it was for the best.

But I don’t want to start all over again. I’m 46. I’m old. I’m tired.

THIS IS NOT WHAT I HAD PLANNED.

And that’s probably the biggest obstacle.

I love a plan. I don’t like deviating from the plan. How dare my husband take the plan into his own hands and make dramatic alterations?

But, when I face it, returning to the marriage doesn’t really mean happiness. It means eggshells.

And life is too short for eggshells, don’t you think?

Here’s a much better use for the eggs …

Recipe: Nora Epron’s key lime pie

• 1 cup lime juice
• 1 tablespoon grated lime zest
• 6 egg yolks
• 2 cans sweetened condensed milk
• 9-inch ready-made graham cracker pie crust*
• Whipped cream (optional)

METHOD: In a medium bowl, using an electric mixer or a whisk, beat the lime juice, grated lime zest, egg yolks and sweetened condensed milk until well combined. Pour into pie crust and freeze. When ready to serve, remove from freezer and spread with whipped cream, if desired. Let sit 5 minutes before serving.

PS Since we don’t have ready made graham cracker pie crusts in Australia, process 150g plain sweet biscuits until mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Transfer to a bowl. Stir in 75g melted butter. Press mixture over base and side of a 3cm-deep, 20cm (base) glass or ceramic pie dish. Bake for 10 minutes or until base is light golden. Cool.

Song of the day: George Harrison “Here comes the sun”