Issue #7 - Greta Meets the Parents

Ever since she was a little girl, reading the Sunday New York Times Style Pages, Greta had dreamed of walking in the Fifth Avenue Easter Day Parade. She had imagined wearing one of those big-brimmed hats, a lacey Balenciaga dress and some fabulous Ferragamo heels.

And now, thanks to an invitation from Guy Thompson's sister, Laurie -- Greta was living out her dream!

"Don't you just love it!?" Laurie shouted over the crowd on 52nd Street, pointing to her and Guy's mother, the ever-elegant grand dame of New York Society.

Yes, she did love it, Greta thought, watching Guy sweetly usher his elegant mother through the crowds.

The day was turning out to be fabulous after a rather inauspicious start. To be specific: Greta went to bed the night before after discovering a red zit forming right in the middle of her chin. Thank goodness, she had stored some GreatSkin specifically suited for this kind of "breakout." She smoothed on a little Blemish Control Cleanser which left her skin feeling purified and refreshed. Next, she applied Control Toner to blot up excess oil. Greta followed this with Salicylic Exfoliator, which was really like an at-home "mini peel." She then put on a thin layer of GreatSkin's 100% Pure Hyaluronic Moisturizer and finally applied GreatSkin Blemex -- a unique antiseptic drying lotion designed specifically for this kind of isolated breakout.

By morning, Greta could already see a difference. The blemish on her chin was practically gone! And so, while humming "In Your Easter Bonnet" and dreaming of meeting Guy's family, Greta began her morning regimen, starting with Blemish Control Cleanser followed by Control Toner. Next, she applied a silky film of BHA Lotion. Greta loved the clean, antiseptic smell. Finally, she got out her secret weapon once again -- GreatSkin Blemex. Now, she was truly ready to face the Fifth Avenue crowds, Guy Thompson, his sister, and even his parents!

Greta was ready for anything -- except Zane Craven!

Yes, the bad boy indie film/almost Oscar winner/movie star just happened to be dining after the parade at the 21 Club and just had to be sitting to the right of Mrs. Thompson -- Guy's mother.

"Darling, I loved you in that pirate movie!" Mrs. Thompson laughed.

"That was a terrible film!" Zane laughed back.

"But you were heavenly, darling!" Greta watched as Mrs. Thompson turned to Guy, who was busy talking to his silver-haired father. "Didn't you think Zane was fabulous in 'Fortunes of Gold'"?

"I assigned the story to Greta and we ran it on the cover of Face, Mother, so I guess we must have thought it was fabulous." Guy looked at Zane and for a fraction of a second, the two men seemed to have a "face off", but then just as suddenly, Mrs. Thompson turned to Greta and took her hand. "I loved your article, darling. You must join the Thompson family for our annual Memorial Day Picnic on the Vineyard."

"Martha's Vineyard?" Greta tried to steady her breath. She had heard all about the Thompson Publishing Family's compound on Martha's Vineyard. Yes, when Greta was a little girl, the Thompson family soirees were another thrilling reason to read The Sunday Styles Page.

"I'd love to join you." Greta whispered.

"Excellent!" Mrs. Thompson announced before turning to Zane Craven. "And, Zane, I insist you come too!"

Zane turned to Mrs. Thompson, but his eyes were on Greta when he said, "Why yes, I'd love to."