The Baker

Chapter 35

Cassie continued to stare a the empty boxes she had placed in her room a few hours ago. She had picked them up on her way home from work because she thought she could start packing for her new home. Only, now she didn't want to. She felt like she was rushing herself a bit. Actually, she's been pondering what she had commited to just four days ago. Why should I do this so soon? His house will still be there in a few days, or weeks...or years.

So she left it. She ignored the boxes and started getting ready for tonight. Her and Jess were hosting a New Years party at the bakery tonight and Ben was supposed to pick them both up at around 8:30. That was only an hour away and Jess still had to come over. 

For the remainder of the hour, she decided to soak in the tub and contimplate life a little bit, before getting into her dress and fixing up her hair. It was still a no on the make-up. By around 8:15, she heard someone walk in the front door. It was either Jess or Ben, and from the drunken rants that were being splurred out, she could tell it was Jess. 

"Hey, bitch!" Jess drunkily shouted. "Are you ready to par-tay?!" Cassie started laughing and rolled her eyes. "You never could wait until the party," she chuckled. "Ben should be here in--."

"Honey, you ready?" Ben called as he walked in. Cassie smiled and finished, "Now. Come on, you drunken hot mess." Ben walked in to see Cassie struggling to get Jess to walk straight. He attempted to contain his giggles, but failed miserably. "Yeah, yeah, yeah," she muttered. "Just help me, will you?" Still giggling, he said, "Of course, my love." 

With a team effort, they both got Jess into the car, upright and with her seatbelt on. Ben and Cassie high fived, before getting into the car. On their way to the bakery, Ben took her hand and excitedly told her, "I cleaned out some of my drawers today! I was so excited, I couldn't wait any longer! I also made some room in my closet and even cleared out a some junk in the kitchen so you could put your cooking supplies in there. The bathroom is also cleared, as well. Oh, darling, I really cannot wait!" Cassie, hearing every word he said, started to internally freak out. She was having second guesses about this decision not an hour ago and this is happening?

She simply smiled and told him, "Um, yeah me neither. It's gonna be fun!" Ben sensed some distress in her voice and asked, "Baby, are you alright? I didn't scare you, did I? Christ, I said too much." She sighed and told him, "No, no, it's fine. Let's just focus on New Years, okay?" He brought her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles. "Of course, sweetheart." 

They arrived about 2 hours before the party was due to start and met Alice and Steve (the new guy) at the door. Cassie unlocked the place and they all went inside to set up...well, not Jess. Cassie dragged her into the office and sat her down on the couch they recently got put in. 

"I'm sorry, Cass," Jess whined. Cassie chuckled, "It's alright. Just drink some water and try to sober up a bit, okay?" She started to walk away, but Jess quickly grabbed a hold of her dress. Cassie turned, as Jess told her, "Not about this. I mean Christmas." She seemed a little more sober now, so this could end up being a serious conversation. 

Cassie smiled and said, "It's fine, really. I got to spend it with my amazing boyfriend and his family. I couldn't ask for more." Jess nodded, but didn't look convinced. It was then that she said, "They disowned me." Cassie gave her a double take. She couldn't tell if it was Jess or the alcohol talking, but the tears welling up in her eyes made it seem like it was all Jess. 

"Who disowned you?" Cassie asked, while sitting down next to her. Jess wiped a tear from the corner of her eye and cried, "My parents. They said I was being too careless by moving over here and that opening a bakery with you was a stupid idea. So, they cut me off and disowned me. My rent is due next month and I can't pay it because...because..." She started crying and clung on to Cassie. Cassie held on to her and swayed them a bit. "Oh, Jess," she sighed. "You are more than welcome to stay at my place. You know that."