I don't know why I made Tali a pie baker *giggles quietly to myself* I guess I thought it fit her persona. *shrugs*
And the moment I'm sure everyone's been waiting forrrr… Schumel Rubenstein!
Shalem Rubenstein was my father's first Mossad partner. Many nights I would find them sharing cigars on our front porch, discussing old times and politics. Shalem had retired from Mossad many years before and became a Knesset member. There was a special place in my heart for this man, who understood all of our most critical family matters. He had known my father for a long time and knew everything about him. Shalem also tried every one of my pie experiments and at least pretended to enjoy every one. Even when I didn't make any or offer him any he would inquire about my rather odd baking hobby.
"I made pie!" I would call through the screen door whenever I heard the hum of their voice on the porch.
"Enough with the pies, Tali! You are making your old man fat!" My father would complain.
"Don't listen to him, Tali, I would love some." Shalem would counter. I had a deep respect for him for that reason.
I went to the supermarket in search of new and exotic fruits to put in pies. Pomegranate and fig seemed to be Shalem's favorite. Finally, Ari brought me a big book of pie recipes from London and my experimenting ceased as I worked my way through it.
Shalem had a son a year older than Ziva, and a daughter a few years younger than me, both of them were good friends of ours. Ziva often told the story of how she beat Schumel Rubenstein up after he declared his love for her while they were on the playground one day. They laughed over it almost every other time they saw each other. Ziva claimed she took him out in one punch, but that was a lie, it was actually 2. Instead of punching back Schumel tried to slap her and scratch her eyes out. We later realized he was as gay as you can get.
The four of us used to go shopping together at Rehov Neve Sha'anan and Miri and I used to meet at parties and have coffee dates right up until the week I died.
Before I dramatically left this earth, I went to the Rubenstein's house to pick her up. She was running late, and Shalem opened the door. He invited me into his air conditioned sitting room.
"Any pie for me today Tali?" He asked, sitting in an armchair.
"No, sorry." I smiled. "If I had known I would have brought you one."
"Your mother liked to bake." He mused, sipping his tea.
"Yes, she taught me."
"And what of your sister? Does she make pies as well?'
"No, Ziva likes to cook." I smiled. "Baking is my area of expertise." I grinned.
"Of course, no one can make a pie quite like you can." He stirred his tea and took another sip. Mine remained idle in my hands.
"Can I ask you a question?"
"By all means! Do not hesitate, my dear!"
"Do you really enjoy all those pies I give you?"
"I will say, most of them are delicious, and I haven't found any to be inedible." He sighed. "But I know your father Tali. I know too well how he treats you and I just think you should be appreciated by someone, even if it just involves sampling some homemade pie."