Unspoken words

He had red hair.

It was that shade of red that causes people to turn and stare. No one really knew who he was, only that he came with Kelly. And everyone knew Kelly.

Kelly Magnolia had that type of personality that people gravitated towards. Being a famous singer and model helped, of course, but her genuine care for those around her made her even more popular. What set her apart from the other populars was that she didn't look for the publicity and paparazzi that naturally followed the altruistic deeds of the stars. She was content to silently give of her means and time without regard for public recognition.

When she had first met him, he was sitting at a coffee shop, reading the daily newspaper. She had ordered her coffee and was looking at a display of musical CD's that aired over the shops speakers. She wasn't really interested in any of them. She was just occupying her mind while she waited for her coffee.

The young man behind the counter called out her order and she stepped over to the counter to grab it. As she did, she quickly turned around and let out a small yelp of surprise as a man in a winter coat was standing right behind her. She dropped the cup of coffee and it spilled over both of their legs as the top popped off.

"I am so sorry!" she said as they both raised their hands up as if that would keep the coffee from getting on them.

"That's quite all right," he said. "I should be apologizing for standing so close to you."

He grabbed some napkins off the counter and stooped down to wipe up some of the spilled coffee. It was then that she had first noticed his vibrant red hair.

"Why were you standing so close?" she asked as he stood back up.

"Well, I thought I would be debonair and strike up a conversation about the rain in Spain and hopefully lead into asking you out for dinner, but I think I just blew the opportunity."

He smiled one of those infectious smiles that immediately intrigued her. Before she had a chance to really respond, he bid his farewells and turned to leave.

"Wait," she called to him. "I think we could work out something for dinner. As long as you promise not to be so close to me during."

He turned back around and smiled again as he said, "Agreed, as long as you don't spill anything on me."

They both laughed, and that was how their relationship had started. By the time of the gala event for the debut of her new album, they had spent the past few months acting much like any normal couple would. They enjoyed their dates and late nights in front of the fire. Except for the cameras that would follow them once in a while, they enjoyed relative solitude.

The red carpet that led up to the banquet hall seemed to match his hair perfectly. As the invited turned to watch them arrive, it almost seemed like Kelly was the guest and he the star. Everyone stared as he waved and smiled, almost seeming to fit in like he had been there before.

Kelly welcomed the change in focus. Even though she had experienced a fair share of success, she still remained humble and didn't particularly enjoy all the glitz and glamour. She loved to sing. That was it. The fact that she was beautiful was just a bonus. She would give it all up for a quiet life where she could raise a family and focus on her singing.

The night of the event went as any other. A lot of mingling and a lot of drinking. Kelly never went overboard with her liquor. She was what you might call a social drinker. As they left the party, Kelly was glad that he was similar in his consumption of alcohol. They were both in good spirits and enjoying the evening.

The limo that had brought them drove peacefully through the downtown streets. Kelly looked out the window at the passing buildings and sighed deeply, content and happy.

Suddenly, the driver turned down an alley that Kelly wasn't familiar with.

"Where are we going?" she asked the driver with a hint of worry in her voice.

"Stay calm," her companion said.

Kelly turned her head toward him with a scared look. But then her look went from scared to frightened as she saw the gun in his hand.

"What ..." she started, but he cut her off.

"Please, don't talk," he said. "You'll ruin the moment." He put a handkerchief over her mouth as she started to inhale sharply to scream. The chemical soaked into the cloth quickly entered her lungs and knocked her out. As she slumped, he bound her hands and legs and gagged her mouth. A sleeping mask was next to cover her eyes, just in case she awoke during the ride.

Having finished, he looked up to the driver and said, "To the docks."

The driver nodded and turned back onto a main street.

As they pulled onto the wharf, the wooden dock creeked under the weight of the car. The driver stopped and got out of the car. Kelly's companion followed suit and said, "Bring her into the warehouse."

The driver lifted Kelly out of the car and carried her inside, placing her onto a small cot.

As he stood up, a shot echoed through the building and the driver fell to the floor, blood coming out of the wound in his head.

The man with the red hair dragged the body to the dock and tied several weights around his ankles before dropping it into the water. He gave a small salute as it quickly sank below the surface.

After driving the limo into the warehouse and closing the door behind him, he walked over to Kelly and took off the mask. Her eyes were wide with terror as she stared at him.

"Hello, my dear. I'm going to take this nasty thing out of your mouth, but you have to promise not to scream. Not that anyone would hear you if you did. I just really don't want to hear it, ok?"

He gently untied the gag and pulled it off her mouth.

After a few seconds of waiting to see if she would make a sound, he said, "There, that's better. I'd hate to have to keep you quiet. You have such a lovely voice."

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"I'm sorry. I thought it was obvious. I'm kidnapping you."

"Where's the driver?"

"His services were no longer required."

"Why are you doing this?"

"Ahh! There's the million dollar question. Why. I'd love to explain it to you, but I think it's much more dramatic to show you."

He reached up to his face and pulled off his hair, exposing a bald head underneath. This he dropped to the ground and then with both hands peeled off a rubber mask. Residue of the adhesive stuck to his face which he wiped off with a rag.

Kelly gasped as she recognized the man before her.

"Jerry?"

"You know," he said. "I debated whether or not you would remember me. I'm so glad you do."

"But, I still don't understand why you would do this?" she said, almost exasperated.

"Do I really have to spell it out for you? But, I guess I shouldn't have expected less from someone like you. You appear so nice to the public. You donate to charities, you help the poor, you never say a bad word about anyone. At least, that's what everyone is led to believe. What they don't realize is that deep down you're just like all the other stars that will stop at nothing to get ahead."

"I've never done anything like that!"

"Don't lie to me!" he screamed. "I'm done with your lies! Let me take you back 5 years to the beginning of your career. A small girl in the big city looking to make it. You didn't know anyone or anything, but you knew you wanted to be a star.

"You walked into my office, and I saw potential. Not the normal song and dance potential that everyone else has. No. I saw a simple, untainted girl that wanted to do what was right. That was such a refreshing find in a dirty business that I couldn't pass it up.

"I took you by the hand and helped you. I put you in touch with the right people. I made sure you were known. And what did you do to repay me? You anihilate my career as an agent."

"How? I don't remember."

"Of course you don't," he sneered. "You people never do. Let me refresh your memory." He stepped over to a nearby desk and grabbed a notebook. He opened it to a page with a newspaper article pasted onto it and set the book on her lap.

"Recognize this?" he asked.

The headline read, "New Star Rises - Look out Rita Hayworth, Kelly Magnolia's in town."

"Go ahead and skip down to paragraph seven."

Her eyes quickly darted down to the mentioned part. She began to read when he said, "Please. Aloud. I'd like to hear it from your own lips."

"When asked about her start into the music world Kelly said, 'I never thought I would make it like I did. I really owe it all to my agent, Jerry.'"

"What's so bad about what I said?" she asked.

"Nothing!" he said. "It's what you didn't say in the future." He turned page after page of newspaper clippings as he said, "Not one interview in the future mentioned my name. Not once did you give me any more credit. And then, July 21st." He turned to another clipping that had a paragraph highlighted in yellow. "Read!"

"After signing her largest contract to date, Ms. Magnolia commented, "This so amazing for me. The Lehman brothers really made this all possible."

"The Lehman brothers!" he spat. "I pushed through the mud for you and never got even a second glance. Then the Lehman brothers come in with their big pockets and fancy things and you jump ship. Not only that, you give them the credit for my success! No one would work with me after that. No one!" His faced was flushed and his eyes bulging. "They all wanted to know why the famous Kelly Magnolia wouldn't work with me. They all wondered if there was something wrong with the way I treated my clients. I couldn't even be the agent for a dog!"

"I'm so sorry," she said.

He regained his composure and said, "Yes. Now you're sorry. Now when it is too late."

"So what do I do? How can I fix this?"

"You can't," he said matter-of-factly. "But that doesn't mean I can't get my revenge."

"Are you going to kill me?"

"Kill you? Heavens no! What good would that do? I'd much rather make you suffer for a lot longer. I've fooled you once, and I can do it again. You'll never be able to trust anyone you don't know, and even the ones you think you do.

"If you tell anyone, I'll be there. If you don't give every person that has helped you credit, I'll be there. Every moment of your life from now on you'll be wondering if I'm around the corner, ready to take you on another ride. And, my dear, the next time won't be as nice."

He chuckled a little as he picked up his notebook. "I wish you the best of luck. And, so that you have something to remember this little experience ..." He pulled out a knife and slowly drew it across her arm. The blood flowed easily around her skin and started soaking into the cot. Her stiffled cry did little to affect his emotions.

"And now, my love, I leave you."

He started walking out when she cried, "What am I supposed to do?"

He turned back and smiled that infectious smile. "Survive," was all he said. The closing of the metal door sent a loud echo through the warehouse, giving a finality to his words.

As he walked down the dock and got into a boat, he pulled out his cell phone and placed a call.

"Hello, yes, I have an emergency. I heard a lady screaming from one of the warehouses down on Pier 29. Please send help."

The engine roared to life as he sped away over the water, leaving Kelly Magnolia to live forever with the fear of meeting again the man with the red hair.

My child is not a hermaphrodite

Just recently I was at my niece's school play with my 8-month old child. He was dressed in a button-up blue striped onesie with a collar and jean shorts. Green camouflage socks were on his feet and a fauxhawk hairstyle (courtesy of his mom) topped him off. He was as cute as a button, and many confirmed that fact with their oohs and ahhs.

As is usually customary when we go to large gatherings, parties, events, and such, I had Alexander in my arms. I love the reciprocal attention I get as I show him off. It's selfish, I know, but there's no other way to just walk into a room and have everyone falling all over you. The trick is to keep the kid in your arms. Otherwise, as soon as he is held by someone else, it's like being the small kid at school trying to get his lunchbox back from the bullies. He gets passed around so quickly that within a few seconds I go from the man with the cute baby to just another face in the crowd.

So, I had him in my arms during the intermission, and since he was a little tired his head was resting on my shoulder. With a child so active as he is, it's nice when he just winds down and snuggles. You feel like you could hold him forever. His eyes were still open and he was looking around the room at all the people milling about. Then, from behind me, I heard a comment that I get all too often.

"What a cute baby. How old is she?"

I politely corrected her and said, "He is 8 months old."

She immediately flushed a little and apologized and then continued to talk about how adorable he was before shifting her conversation to someone else nearby.

Since Alexander was born, I've had different people come up and confuse the gender of my baby. We've tried to assist them by dressing him in manly colors and clothes, but we still have the occasional sex-changing comment. Maybe I'm a little biased in my opinion, but I don't think my kid looks like a girl, and I'm hoping the comments stop so that he doesn't have a complex in the future.

Instead of assuming a child's gender, the easiest and safest way to approach a questionable situation is simply to use "baby" instead of "him" or "her." For instance, "What a cute baby." "How old is your baby?" "Look at how well your baby sits." "I love your baby's hair." By this point, the parent is usually tired of hearing "your baby" that they will respond with "He's a year old." "She's really a good baby." Or something similar. Of course, if they just aren't getting the hint that you don't know what sex their child is, then you can continue with the annoying "your baby" line, or just ask what the baby's name is. Hopefully, this will elicit a name that will lead you in the right direction as to what pronoun to use. Just watch out for those unisex names like Sam or Chris. If you get one of those, just start saying "it" instead of "him" or "her". If the parents are willing to use a non-gender specific name, then you're free to do the same.

We'll probably have to continue to clarify Alexander's sex to others, but I guess I should count myself lucky that he's as cute as everyone says he is. We'll work on his manly nature later.