UNSPOKEN

12

I was in the bakery baking up a storm because Jackson had stopped by that morning to say that he needed to go to Manhattan to attend some client issues and he'd be back later that night. Why would he feel the need to let me know what his plans were? Were we ever that kind of people? Why did he think that I wanted to know if he was going back? I was terrified that he wasn't coming back and I had thrown all my frustration into cooking cinnamon bun and blue cheese muffins.

To make matters worse my mother had stopped by to let me know there was going to be a formal at the country club and she wanted me to attend with her and father. I hadn't gone to those things in forever but she needed me there because my father was nominated for a place in the board and she wanted us to give the image of the perfect family. We were far from perfect but we weren't that damaged. We had issues. My mother hated me for not going to an ivy league college and getting a rich husband and I hated her for wanting me to be her. Other than those minor details we were like any other family.

"What did your mother do now?" Greg asked me when he saw me baking like there was no tomorrow. Greg never talked much that's why I liked him so much. He made the most delicious croissants and never said much. I'd met him at one of my cupcake decorating courses and we'd immediately had taken to each other.

"She wants me to go a formal at the club" I said placing cookie dough on waxed paper. Greg made a disapproval sound "I know. It makes me feel like I'm 15 again" I paused for a second and looked at Greg "I just feel so guilty that I actually spent all my trust fund in whatever that I wanted instead of spending it in what it was intended to"

"They gave you the money, though" Greg shrugged.

"They did" I said nodding and went back to the oatmeal cookies I was baking.

It was a good thing that I was doing so many of everything because I'd have to call it a day early if I wanted to look half decent for the stupid thing with my parents. Yes, I definitely felt guilty for destroying all the hopes and dreams they'd have for their only daughter.

Later that night I was running around my room trying to come up with a look that wouldn't offend my mother, embarrass my father, made them both look good and made me feel ok with myself. I had already straightened my hair once I got out of the shower and was worried about the dress and make up. I heard the door bell and ran downstairs to open the door only to find Jackson.

"Come on in" I said as I ran back upstairs.

"Where did the unruly waves go?" he said as I he climbed up the stairs.

"I'm going to formal at the club" he scrunched up his nose.

"Why?" he asked disgusted.

"Long story. My parents."I shrugged and he nodded "Help. Which dress" I said as we both looked at the two options I had out. A green sleeveless dress with a skater skirt that made me look quite good and a navy long sleeved lace dress that was new.

"The blue one" he said and I nodded.

"How was New York?" I asked as I sat in front of my vanity to apply my makeup. I made a mental note to buy more make up before I ran out of it. Redheads have a problem with makeup; our pasty skin doesn't allow us to wear any kind of makeup because we usually end up looking like we went inside a tanning bed and turned it on the "carrot" setting. So, someone out there had been merciful enough to create ginger friendly makeup, not the big companies, but still, it was nice to be thought of.

"Ok" he didn't smile. I had a hard time knowing what was on his mind if he didn't smile; even if it was a fake smile I always knew what that meant.