That Time of Year

3-Jingle & Wedding Bells

NATASHA

"This is the design I want." Bianca said, laying a ripped out piece of paper that looked like it came from a cake model book. It had been a week now into being engaged and B and Jason wanted to do it for Christmas! I looked at the cake in awe on the page. It looked fake, it was so nice. "B, I - That's a lot of detail, I don't think..." Bianca held up her hand, "Sis, you can! Don't think you 'can't'! Think "You can"." Bianca looked hopeful at me with her big, big brown eyes. I sighed, looking at the page again. I was not going to meet this cakes expectation but, I sighed, "Okay, B. But you better appreciate my hard work, regardless! Asking for a damn cake 10 weeks out from Christmas." I teased her, but was a little serious. I didn't quite get why they were rushing. They didn't have to be married going into the New Year,. They were young! Whatwas to rush? God, I sounded like mom. I didn't say much when she told me that they were getting married on Christmas. I was happy and excited, as her way of telling me also involved her asking me to be her maid of honor. I was, in fact, honored! But I couldn't help some of my jaded-ness came from my previous experience of rushing to the alter. "... And I figure, 'tis the time of year, so we'll do a Christmas song theme!" I tuned back into Bianca's plans and babbles, "...Silver Bells! It'll be midnight blue for the bridesmaids and silver accents!" She looked at me, almost as if looking for my approval. I was kneeding my dough for bread that Trinity's grandmother ordered, and she was picking her up today to go see her other side fot he family. "Yeah, B. I think that's a beautiful idea." I smiled and began to hone in on this dough. Bianca was quiet for a few seconds, "Okay, I'm going to pick up my niece. I'll be back," And she began to click-clack out of the shop kitchen. "Thanks, baby!" I hollered to her. I appreciated she wasn't too wedding-silly to help me out with Trin pick-ups when I was the only one doing order prep at the shop.

I finally got to start working on an anniversary cake for a couple that mailed in. It was their 60th Anniversary! When I received the letter, I responded immediately. I thought it so miraculous and down-right hard work, who knew what they had been through but them and they stuck it out.

I was starting to cut the layers of my cake when I heard the door bells jangle. "Hi, mom!" Trinity hollered from the front area. "Hi, baby!... Hey, Mrs. Mayes," I called out to Trinity and then her grandma. I went over to my storage rack, grabbing her packaged bread and sat it on the prep table closest to the kitchen's door. I went over to my little office counter, jotting down some pointer notes for cooking and the best things to pair it with. That's when I heard the light metal-wobble-y noise from the kitchen door. "I assumed it was Trinity, because his mother would never set foot back here. She would always perch at my bakery's counter up front and wait for her gramdkid and bread. "Okay, Trin-baby, tell Gram these are the -.." I stopped. Because of the cute shoes I got her, they were men's dress shoes I looked at from behind the little torn piece of paper I was jotting down on. I lowered the note completely. It wasn't Trinity at all! I followed the length of the body that was attached to the shoes and hated that I already knew who it was, but there was hope it was all a delusion. "Now, Natasha, you know my mom hates to be called Gram." David said, a teasing smile on his lips. I froze, my eyes staying on him, as if they didn't, he'd pounce! I hadn't seen this man in almost three years, what the hell was he doing here now?! I had to say something. "Well, that's what your daughter calls her. So..." I shoved the note forward, urging him to grab it. When he did, barely, I let it go and turned back to my cake project I had. Although, my heart was racing and losing it felt like, my brain was melting due to the meltdown it was experienceing and the flush and heat of how angry I was. WHY WAS HE HERE! "Well, it's good to see you too, stranger." David said. I heard the crinkle of the bread's packaging, as I assumed he picked it up. The silence was unbearable, because I hadn't heard the door to signal his exit. "You look great, Natty." He said, low but loud enough for me to here. I turned to face him, leaning on my station's counter, "Where's your mom, David?" I asked. Anything else I say right now will not be kind. He scoffed, "I thought I'd surprise Trinity. And she's busy - Planning things." I watched him, "Oh? Like?" I asked, sarcasm seeping from me. Let's see if he's still a lying sack of s**t. "Uhh - you know her little events and the resort's stuff." I nodded, "Weddings too?" I arched my brow. His eyes widened, like I'd smacked him. "Weddings can keep people busy too. Planning them," I smiled. Before he could speak again, Trinity came in. "Mama, can I take my Nintendo to dad's?" We both composed ourselves, "Yeah, babe, go ahead." I responded to her and enveloped her in a hug as she closed into me to hug me goodbye. Ugh, I never got used to this. Her leaving me sometimes. I kissed her cheek, "You guys have a safe trip north and I'll call you." And she nodded, grabbing her dad. Before she could get him out, he stopped, "'Great to see you." And then he was gone. I waited until I heard the shop door's bells ding to exhale. I just seen my ex husband and I needed a f*****g drink.

After I finished up closing the shop and getting off the phone with Trin to say goodnight, I began to venture home. On the way I passed Jimmy's Cooler, a very and the most dve bar you can think of. But I always heard crazy things come out of Jimmy's. Joe loved their cheese sticks. And so did I. I still needed that drink so I turned back around on my heels and walked in to Jimmy's. Good food, drinks, Trin's not home, and familiar faces I didn't actually mind seeing. Who could it hurt?