The Boy in the Woods (2014 Wattys Winner, Wattpad Version)

Chapter 40 - The One You Slip Around With

The next Saturday morning, Jess woke with the sun pouring onto her bed, the air already making her sweat under her sheet.  It was going to be a hot day, she realized with dismay, kicking off her covering.  She wished it wasn't.  She knew Doug's graduation was going to be outdoors.   Instead of enjoying the ceremony, she was going to be worrying about how much she was sweating in her brand new dress.  With a sigh, she got up to take a bath.

 Once she was finished, she used plenty of talcum powder, hoping that would help keep her from getting too sweaty.  After putting on her stockings and crinoline, she slipped on her sleeveless summer dress and zipped up the side of the bodice.  Stopping for a moment, she admired the large peach colored roses scattered over the cream cotton fabric, and how the skirt flared out below the matching wide silk peach ribbon band around her waist.  It was probably the prettiest and most grown up dress she'd owned. 

 She brushed out her hair, and then put in the matching peach headband Annie had picked out for her.  Finishing with a pair of heels, she went to her drawer to get a pair of white gloves and then went to get breakfast. Just as she opened her door, Doug was walking out of his bedroom, and when he saw her, his eyes lit up.

"You look nice, Jess!"

"Thanks!  You look nice too," she replied with a smile, and he did.  Smartly dressed in a grey linen suit and tie, with his dark wavy hair combed back and shaped with hair cream, he looked especially handsome.  "I wish it wasn't so hot though," she complained as they went downstairs side by side.

"Yeah, I know what you mean."

Uncle Jonathon was in the dining room, reading his morning paper when they walked in. 

"Hi dad," Doug said, and Uncle Jonathon looked up. 

"Douglas!  Good morning, son!" he beamed, standing and holding his hand out to take Doug's.  "This is a big day!  A very big day," he said, shaking it firmly.

"Yes, sir," Doug replied.

"Your mother –."  He stopped abruptly, his eyes suddenly red.

"I know," Doug said gently, putting is other hand over his dad's. 

At that moment, Annie came through the swinging door, carrying a tray.  Instead of wearing her usual black maid's uniform, she was dressed in a short sleeved seersucker suit with an apron over it and her hair was up in stylish chignon. 

"Oh, my goodness!  Look at you both!" she cried, her eyes travelling back and forth between them. 

"Thank you," they both said at the same time.  From the look on Doug's face, Jess could tell he was just as embarrassed by the attention as she was.

"Have a seat son," Uncle Jonathon said, gesturing and both he and Jess took their places while Annie set their breakfasts plates down.

"Aren't you eating with us, Annie?" Doug asked when she picked up the tray to leave.

"Oh, no.  I've already eaten and besides, I have a bunch of things to attend to before we leave if our luncheon is going to be ready when we get back."

"Annie will be joining us for lunch," Uncle Jonathon informed him, and Doug smiled up at her.

"Good.  It wouldn't be the same without you."  Annie smiled back at him, looking like she was about to cry, before turning to leave.

As they ate, Doug and his dad talked, while Jess stayed silent.  After the blow up over Doug's car, Uncle Jonathon had mostly ignored Jess and she'd done the same with him.  She knew he'd never apologize for how insensitive he'd been that day, and she'd decided to avoid interacting  with him as much as possible.  She didn't think she had any other option since it was clear he was never going to change how he treated her.