My Sweets

Nightmare Before Christmas

BOBBY

I'm greeting customers out front, handing them free Christmas cookies. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and the bakery has had steady foot traffic. All of today's pickup orders are finished. The bakery is open tomorrow, but I'm not working. So I'm going to start baking tomorrow's orders shortly. I'm staying late today so they'll still be fresh for tomorrow. I don't like baking too far in advance if I can help it.

Everyone is always so excited to see me at the front of the shop. My mouth is getting sore from smiling and posing for pictures. I'm actually starting to get worried that I won't be able to sneak into the back to bake. It's a great problem to have though. I'm not going to complain about it. There's finally a lull in foot traffic so I dash to the back and get to work. I have 5 cakes, 2 pies, and 10 dozen cookies to bake and decorate. I stretch out before getting to work on the cakes first.

I love how soothing and relaxing the kitchen can be. I do some of my best thinking while I'm busy baking. This afternoon, my thoughts are focused on Jessa. I haven't bought her anything for Christmas yet so I need to go do that after work. Way to wait for the last minute. I think I'll buy her some jewelry and a pair of shoes I saw her eyeballing the other day. I learned to take notes when we go shopping. She hates spending money on herself. So as long as I pay attention, it's easy to figure out what she wants.

Meg walks in with a large envelope. "This just came for you." She sets it on the counter and walks out. Wonder what that is. With a long checklist ahead of me, I ignore it. Too much to do.

I finally finish. I stretch my arms over my head, trying to alleviate my sore neck and back from the long hours of baking. It's getting pretty late now. The bakery will be closing within the hour. I still need to run to the mall and I'd like to make it home for dinner. I quickly clean up, which is never quick. I rush though it as fast as I can though. I change out of my flour filled clothes, grab the envelope and say good bye to the girls up front before running to my car.

I climb in my car and my curiosity has now gotten the best of me as I pick up the envelope. What the hell is this thing? It's unmarked, which is odd. I open it and a beautiful picture of Jessa falls onto my lap. She's smiling, looking right at the camera. I read the note that's with it.
- Has your wife told you she's fucking me yet?

A cold wave of nausea washes through my body. No. This isn't true. Jessa isn't cheating on me. I don't believe it, but my stomach churns with unease. I study the picture and it looks like she's eating at the mall's food court. None of this makes sense to me. Jessa has only went to this mall with me and we've never stopped at the food court before. My stomach turns sour and I open my car door, throwing up my lunch in the parking lot. She would have told me if she was shopping. Her gorgeous blue eyes stare back at me, confusing my heart. I read the letter a second time and feel like I could throw up again. My mind's a mess.

My hands are shaking as I make the drive home. Forget Christmas shopping, I need to talk to Jessa. The longer I drive, the more scared I get. Am I about to lose my wife; the only thing that makes me happy in this world? My heart still says it's not true, but my brain is doing a number on me. I don't get how this could be possible. It can't. Nothing makes sense. When I get home, I just sit there staring at the Christmas lights on my house. I'm scared to go inside. I read the note and look at the picture again, feeling pain and confusion. I finally step out of the car and some of my fear turns to anger.

I find Jessa sitting in the living room, staring at the Christmas tree. When she looks at me, she's bawling. All my emotions fall, puddling at my feet when I see her tears. Why is she upset? My heart starts racing with fear and anticipation. I don't know what to say. I don't know what to do. I don't know what is true. Why is she crying? Finally Jessa breaks the silence, causing me to jump. "You were right, Bobby." I notice she's shaking really hard. "He called again. I'm really scared."