For Real? ✅

Chapter 15

TESS

It has been two whole days since I've properly spoken to Leah. It's not my fault that Helen's kept my hands full.

Maybe it kind of is because lately, I've been avoiding Leah. I am guilty about shouting at her and I know that I need to apologise.

But she's been avoiding me too, and everyone else for that matter. I guess it's her way of sinking into that pit of sadness she tries to hide in.

I've decided that I'd have to speak to her at Betty's at any cost. She can't blame herself for something that's not even her fault.

Well, it kind of is, but I'm not getting into that right now.

When Leah reaches Betty's, she has a grim look. She avoids my eyes as she proceeds to make her share of cookies for the sale.

I look around for Helen, and once the coast is clear, I approach Leah. She's adding sugar to the mixture.

I take a deep breath and let it out.
"Leah, it's my fault okay? I shouldn't have been interfering in your love life. Please talk to me again." I give her sad puppy eyes.

She looks expressionless, but I know she's secretly happy inside.
"Okay. Apology accepted", she says.
She continues to mix the dough, now adding almonds to it.

"What cookies are these?" I ask, preventing the conversation from turning awkward.

"Almond and honey." She replies. "My mom loves these."

She's smiling softly at the thought of her mom, her dimples more prominent. I smile too.

"Hey, you were supposed to Skype your mom right?" I ask, proud of myself for remembering this tiny detail.

"Uh-huh," Leah says unenthusiastically. She glares at the dough, as though it had suddenly offended her.

"Well, what did she say?" I ask slowly, then add, "You don't seem happy."

Leah switches off the food processor and faces me.

"In my family, parents don't have time for their kids. It's always been that way, and will remain so." She says harshly.

Looking at my surprise, she gives me a sad smile. "My cousin Josh keeps saying that Ben and I are the only family he actually has. Don't worry, I am used to being neglected."

With that, Leah shrugs nonchalantly and switches on the processor.

I gawk at Leah, unable to understand how she had become so mature.

A few minutes pass before Leah speaks.
"Stop it, Tess! I might cry again if you keep looking at me like that."

"Fine," I say, averting my gaze. I really don't want her to cry now.

Okay Tess, talk about something happy.

"So, did you see him again? You know... "
I ask her teasingly, then whisper, "Adam?"

Better to look like I'm encouraging her than to outrightly demean her affection for him.

She raises her eyebrows at me, "Tess, I know you don't like him. Quit pretending as you care." But I do notice her shy smile.

"Okay. Not interfering", I say, mock surrendering, lifting my hands in peace.

Helen sees me from far and gives me a frown. I immediately walk back to my station.

Leah giggles at me. It's apparent from her grin that maybe she's run into him multiple times. She looks really happy.

I focus on making my oatmeal raisin cookies for the rest of the evening.

*****

Hours later, Helen's running taste tests on our cookies now.

I stand before her, sweaty and worn out, observing her expressions as she tastes my cookie.
"Mmm, it's good Tess. I like how it's crumbly yet soft. And the raisins are evenly distributed. Well done." Helen remarks.

My face relaxes as Helen nods her head in approval. She's checking Annette's shortbread cookies next, followed by Tony's chocolate chip.

Finally, she stops before Leah's almond honey cookies.
"I gave you an easy recipe", she says, "I hope you've done it well."

Leah's hardly ever baked cookies. While she has a skilled hand at icing, she's at most average at baking.

She looks nervous as Helen breaks the cookie in half and inspects it.
"They're well baked. It looks perfect", she tells Leah, who's gaping at her, unable to believe her own skills.

Maybe Leah's got a hand for baking too.
I smile at her from behind Helen and give her a thumbs up. She grins back nervously.

That's when Helen takes a bite of the cookie.

"Argh! It's salty! Why is it salty?" Helen looks confused as she spits out the cookie.

Leah looks dumbstruck.

"Did you add salt instead of sugar?" Helen asks her forcefully. Leah shakes her head, then nods slowly.

"This is a basic step, Leah, I thought you were better than this. This is ridiculous! " Helen seems to be losing it.
She takes deep breaths to calm herself, but she's clearly unable to.

Leah's as pale as a sheet, with tears streaming down her face. "I'm so sorry", she whispers, but Helen doesn't hear her.

"I'm really sorry", Leah repeats, a bit louder now.

Helen closes her eyes, looking traumatised.
"Get out", She says in a low voice.

Leah keeps apologising, and Helen seems to be more annoyed by her.

I rack my brains for a remedy, but my mind is blank.
How can you rectify such a mistake in a hundred cookies?

"GET OUT!" Helen screams finally.

Leah stops crying. She's stunned.

I watch her walk away from the scene, her shoulders slumped, her head down.
She looks defeated.

I attempt to leave behind her, but Helen stops me.
"You need to clean up your station, Teresa," she says, her face placid.

Annette and Tony are back to doing their job.
Helen leaves the kitchen. Everything seems back to normal.

As I clean up, I can only hope that Leah hasn't done anything rash by now.