Stealing Pies, Hearts, Bases

September, 2003. With my 2 favorite bookends (at 5'5", I'm not as short as the 5'11" Staci and 6'1" Emily make me look), at Emily's 30th birthday party. The three of us have been friends since 1991, so you can take it as gospel when I say that Em is refined and classy even when she's not sporting that tiara. Except when she's had tequila. Staci is always sweet and empathetic, except when you're an adult who acts like a whiny baby and she's your orthodontist (Luckily, my teeth were straightened a long time ago).



Later that same night with Debbie, another tall drink of water who happens to be one of Emily's 7 sisters; all of whom I adore. Deb has that shirt on because of the "wear something tropical, it's a luau!" theme, so she dressed accordingly. I mistakenly thought it was a "match the interior of Emily & Mel's den, and while you're at it, flirt with the bartender Emily & Mel hired" theme, so I dressed and was served really good drinks accordingly. In our own special ways, we're both excellent at adhering to party theme requests.


Staci & I met Debbie's husband Adam for the first time that night. He was warm, charming, and exactly the kind of man who inspires you (after 2 minutes in his presence) to say to his wife/your friend, "He's a keeper!". Not only do you say it, but you also MEAN IT.

Everyone at the party was enjoying the unconventional birthday PIES that Emily requested her husband Mel have the place stocked with. Shortly thereafter, Staci & I headed to the guest room for something. Debbie and Adam joined us, and we discussed how surprisingly great the pies were; that it must be a California thing. Adam noticed on our way through the kitchen that there was only one pie left, and he broke this news to us gently.

Staci & I feigned tears, joking about how we were out-of-town weekend guests at the house and all the locals were eating what we hoped would be our morning hangover cure. This meant we'd possibly have to consider cutting back on our alcohol intake or something else "mature" to avoid being out of commission when the sun came up. Without another word Adam left the room while the 3 ladies continued discussing serious topics, like how the hot bartender is only bartending until he gets discovered, something you never hear people say in California.

A few minutes later, Adam came back in the guest room, closing the door behind him. He had been in the kitchen, stealing that last pie for Staci & I, and it was exactly in that moment that he stole our hearts, too.


Debbie, Adam, and the stolen pie. Our hearts were quick to follow.


Adam is not only an accomplished thief of pies & hearts, but also a published author. The Boston Globe just wrote THIS great story on Adam. He has 2 upcoming events in the Boston area, in which he will read from his own work and that of other contributors to the "Fenway Fiction" series. Books will be available for purchase and signing.

Rounder Books is pleased to announce the release of "Further Fenway Fiction", an anthology of Red Sox short stories, edited by Adam Emerson Pachter. "Further Fenway Fiction" follows-up "Fenway Fiction" which Yankee Magazine called “delightful.” These two collections of short stories are the first all-fiction anthologies inspired by the Boston Red Sox. The stories look at the Red Sox through humor, drama, mystery--and even a bit of Shakespeare. “…[Adam Emerson] Pachter drew on a very real passion for the Sox, added a bit of imagination, and hit a home run with a truly unique collection.”

Baseball Fever at Livewires
Tuesday, May 13 at 10:00 a.m. (tomorrow!)
Reading Public Library
64 Middlesex Avenue, Reading MA 01867
Come early for coffee!

Adam Emerson Pachter at WPL
Thursday, May 29 at 7:30 p.m.
Westborough Public Library
55 West Main Street, Westborough, MA 01581


Be sure to tell him his Chicago partner in pie-crime says hi!


Get "Fenway Fiction" HERE


Get "Further Fenway Fiction" HERE