“Gracie.” Janet felt sadness in her heart as she listened to what her daughter was saying. “When did you stop eating?”
“I didn’t stop completely. I just downsized my portions, so I could make sure that Bea got enough to eat.”
Steven looked at her as he shook his head. “Kim said you weren’t eating lunch.”
“No lunch money, I gave that to Bea.” Gracie swiped at her eyes when she looked at Steven. “It’s not her fault that Mark is what he is. She’s never even met him.” Gracie stood. “This is my fault for believing in fairy tales.”
Steven stood angrily and grabbed her arms. “Just so you know it’s not your fault either. Mark was always a jerk, but I thought you were happy with him.” He watched his sister look down at the floor. “’Prince Charming’ is out there somewhere. I think that it’s high time you started looking for him, Cinderella.”
“Cinderella?” Gracie smiled at him. “When do I have time for that nonsense?” She wiggled out of his grip. “You think you know everything- don’t you, Steven?”
“I know you need help, and since I’m much older than you, I’m going to advise that you take what we offer.” Steven walked over to Paige. “And we’re going to start with your eating habits. Are you aware that you’re anorexic?”
“No, I’m not anorexic.” Gracie looked at Paige, who was nodding her head. “Fine, I’ll work on that. What other brotherly help are you going to dish out?”
Steven just smiled at her. “One thing at a time with your health being the first priority, you need some meat on those bones.”
“Fine, can I go home now?” Gracie took Bea’s backpack from her father.
“One more thing,” Chandler looked down at his daughter from where he stood. “Fairy tales do exist.”
“Right, pop,” Gracie hugged him. “I’ll let you know when I start believing in that again.”
“Always believe, Gracie.” Janet hugged her tightly before Gracie left with Bea.
~
Kim went to the grocery store right after she dropped Sammie off at the high school and bought foods that she knew Gracie loved. Maybe that would help her sister start to eat like she should. Kim also picked up a couple of treats for Bea before heading out to Gracie’s apartment. Steven had called her last night after Gracie had left and mentioned that he had gotten up with Mark obtaining the money that he owed in child support. Kim knew better than to ask her brother how he managed that; feeling that she was better off not knowing.
She unlocked the door and picked up the bags she had just sat down and headed into the apartment straight to the kitchen. Placing the bags down, she opened the cabinet doors. There wasn’t one box or can of food in sight. Gracie’s situation had been worse than any of them had thought. She put the groceries away and went to get another load. Smiling after she stocked the pantry and refrigerator, Kim drove down to the office building where Gracie worked. She knocked on the door before she entered.
Gracie smiled at her as she looked up from the papers lying on the desk. “Well, if it isn’t the world’s sneakiest sister.”
“I always find the loop hole.” Kim sat down in front of her desk. “Your cupboards were bare.”
“I’m aware of that. I’m going shopping after work.” Gracie stared at her. “You said ‘were’.”
“They’re full again.” Kim looked at the clock. “And now I’m going to have lunch with you.”
“That’s fine and thank you.” Gracie glanced at the papers in front of her. “I guess I should’ve said something sooner.”
“Do ya think, Gracie?” Kim asked sarcastically before adding. “Next time I won’t be so nice.”
“Consider me warned.” Gracie stood as Kim got the full impact of what Gracie had put her body through.
“Amanda Grace!” Kim used her full name, which was a sure sign that she was upset. “Okay, I’m going to calm down.”
Gracie could see her sister counting in her mind. “My baby had to eat, Kim.” That was all she said before Kim followed her out of the office and down to the cafeteria.
“Gracie,” Kim wanted to say something but backed off while they were in line so nobody else could hear. After they sat down, she looked over at Gracie. “Baby girl, if you ever pull this stunt again I’m going to come down on you with the Wrath of God on my side.”
“Baby girl?” Gracie picked up a saltine. “You haven’t called me that since Sammie was born.”
“Um. Sammie is actually bigger than you are now.” Kim glanced at what was on Gracie’s tray. “And you would know this if you ever showed up when I invited you over.”
“No more lectures, please.” Gracie smiled at her. “This feels good. I’m actually not stressing over my bills.”
“So does this mean, next time you’ll talk to somebody?”
Gracie thought as she looked at her sister. “I pray, Reverend Kim, that there is no next time to talk about.” She put down her utensils. “I hate to eat and run, but lunch is over. I’ll see you at Church tonight.”
“I hope so. The congregation misses you.” Kim smiled as her sister left.
~
Bea ran over to her mother almost as soon as she walked into the door. Gracie smiled down as she hugged her. “Princess Bea, how are you doing?”
“I love to see you smile.” Bea hugged her back.
“I’ve missed smiling. Where’s Granny?” Gracie looked over Bea’s homework while asking.
“She's in the kitchen.” Bea started to twirl around as she talked. “Uncle Steven and Uncle Jackson are here.”
“Uncle Jackson?” Gracie tried to remember when Steven’s friend had earned that title. “Why do you call him ‘uncle’ again?”
Bea laughed at her. “He asked me to.”
Gracie walked into the kitchen to let Janet know she was there. Steven and Jackson looked up as Gracie hugged her mother.
“Sit down, Gracie. I was about to feed Bea.” Janet pointed to the table.
“And there is that tone we all know and love. Better do what she says.” Steven was laughing at his sister when she glared him.
“Steven. ‘Uncle’ Jackson.” Gracie greeted them as she sat down.
“You're not allowed to call me ‘Uncle’.” Jackson smiled at her sweetly as the blue eyes speckled with green flakes laughed at her. “Only Bea can do that.” He felt his heart give a jolt when he saw how little Gracie was and looked at Steven with a question on his lips.
Steven shook his head before he stood. “I have to go before Paige sends out a search party. Jackson, I’ll get up with you later.”
“Wait a minute, Steven.” Gracie stood and saw the look that her mother shot at her. “I’ll be back.”
She walked with her brother out of the front door. “I need to thank you for what you did last night and today.”
“What did I do today?” Steven asked as he hugged her.
“I know Kim doesn't have a lot of money to spare, and my pantry is full.” Gracie saw the look on her brother’s face before she stood on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek.
“If you really want to thank me, get your health back. That's all I’m asking.” Steven waved before he walked to his car.
Gracie grabbed one of Bea’s hands, and they walked into the kitchen sitting down at the table. Jackson smiled at Bea as she sat down beside him while Gracie watched.
Jackson caught her staring, “Cinderella?”
“Uum,” Gracie picked up her spoon as Bea looked at her. “Jackson nicknamed me when I was about your age. It was a long time ago, and my favorite movie was Cinderella.”
“Start off slow, Gracie.” Jackson was watching her eat. He was a pediatrician and had seen plenty of teenagers go through what she was going through now. Steven had consulted with him about Gracie’s situation.
“Excuse me?” Gracie placed the spoon down. “Bea, are you finished?”
“Yes, Momma.” Bea took her bowl and spoon to the sink before walking with Janet into the living room.
“That assumption would be correct, Gracie.” He studied the blue eyes that were starting to shoot daggers and stood up smiling. “Eat slow and not too much. Doctor's orders.”
“You aren't my doctor, my brother, or Bea’s uncle!” Gracie stood and grabbed her bowl of soup that she had managed to eat half. “You’ve no right to tell me what to do.” She turned to him and smiled as they stood face to face. She grabbed his face and kissed him not expecting him to kiss her back. She was surprised when he started kissing her slowly drawing her more deeply into it.
“Point well proven,” Jackson smiled when she backed away from him.
“You weren’t supposed to enjoy that, and you certainly weren't supposed to kiss me back.” Gracie was caught off balance when she saw the smugness on his face.
“Well, Cinderella, you forgot to explain the rules, and who said I enjoyed it?” He asked watching her walk out of the room.
“Bea!” Gracie was calling for her daughter. “I told Kim we would go to service tonight, so let’s go.”
She put her fingers to her lips as she remembered that kiss. ‘Okay, what you were thinking and why did you kiss him?’ She asked herself before she pulled away from her parents’ house.
Chapter 2
Gracie was expecting Kim when she showed up at her office door. She had the secretary order them something from the cafeteria so that they could eat in her office. Gracie motioned her sister in.
“Expecting me this time- were you?” Kim laughed when she saw two plates at the table where Gracie usually held her office meetings.
“Yes, m’am,” Gracie wanted to talk with her sister in private. “I messed up.”
“And do I need to know this as a sister or as a reverend?” Kim looked at her curiously.
“A sister please.” She played with the food on her plate as she thought about what she wanted to say. “I might’ve, well I sort of, oh dang, I kissed Jackson last night before we went to church.”
“You kissed Jackson?” Kim smiled at her. “And you feel guilty why?”
“He’s a friend, and I was mad because he was telling me what to do. Plus, he has Bea calling him Uncle.” Gracie laughed at herself. “I kissed him because I was mad.”
Kim was laughing at her then. “What better reason.”
“Is it?” Gracie looked serious. “Mark never touched me, unless I made him mad.”
Kim stopped laughing. “Did I just hear you right?”
“I'm afraid so.” Gracie stood. “Maybe I just needed to say that out loud, but I still can't understand it. However, while I'm at it, I want to make a full confession to my sister, not my reverend.”
“I'm listening.” Gracie had Kim’s full attention as her sister focused on her.
“Mark was dating others while I dated him, was engaged to him, and after, I'm going to assume, we were married.” She sat back down and picked at her sandwich. “I only found this out after I found out about Bea. However, there is more, and I don’t know how much Mom told you, so I'm going to tell you everything.” Gracie paused as her secretary came up to the door. “Yes, Addison.”
“There is a Jackson Carter here to see you, Gracie.” Addison waited for her to respond.
“I can see him in ten minutes, Addison.” Gracie glanced over at Kim. “What have I done?”
“We can figure that out later. Tell me the rest of the story first.” Kim had finished eating and was looking straight at her sister.
“Mark beat me.” Gracie took a swallow of her water. “The night that Bea was born, he beat me so bad I couldn’t stand by myself. He called Mom and told her I was at the hospital. That was the last time I saw him until the divorce.”
“Gracie,” Kim was hugging her as they both stood. “Baby, you don’t need to keep stuff bottled up like that. Does Steven know?”
“Is Mark still alive?” Gracie watched as Addison had Jackson sit down in the reception area before looking nervously at Kim as she walked over to her desk.
“You have a point. I guess you don’t want him to know.” She watched Gracie shake her head. “I'm glad that you’ve finally talked about this anyway. I'll tell Jackson he can come in now.”
“You could tell him to go jump in a lake.” Gracie tried to put on her office demeanor. “What have I done?”
“You kissed him because you were mad.” Kim laughed at her as she walked out. “You dealt it, Baby Girl. Later.”
Addison walked Jackson in and grabbed the plates that were sitting on the table before she left. She was about to shut the door before Gracie asked her not to.
“Jackson, I'm not really sure what this about, and I'm awfully busy.” Gracie pointed to the seat in front of her.
“I was just in the area and wanted to check up on you.” Jackson studied her eyes. “You have a little color back anyway.”
“Your office is across town. How is this ‘just in the area’?” Gracie was writing something on a piece of paper before she looked over at him.
“Fine. Steven asked me to check up on you. I'm betting he didn’t know that Kim was going to be here.” Jackson found himself looking at her mouth, and she laughed when she caught him.
“I kissed you because I was mad, Jackson.” Gracie informed him. “It won’t happen again.”
“That’s too bad, Cinderella,” Jackson stood and walked to the door. “I won’t admit that I liked it then.”
Gracie watched as he walked to the exit, narrowing her eyes. "Neither will I.” She mumbled before she took the phone call.
She left work for a parent- teachers’ conference at Bea’s school and pulled up into the parking lot five minutes early. Walking into the school, she ran into Mark. She was more shocked than surprised when she looked at him angrily. “What are you doing here?”
“I wanted to check up on Bea.” He looked her over. “Are you on drugs, Gracie? Is that why you needed that money so bad?”
“No, I'm not on drugs, and how dare you accuse me of that!” Gracie glared at him hard. “Please, tell me. What is the real reason you're here? You absolutely have had nothing to do with us since the day she was born.” Gracie walked towards the school office. “Why do you want to see her now?”
“I don’t.” Mark pulled her arms hard. “I want you to tell your brother not to come near me again.”
“And if I don’t?” Gracie asked as she was about to open the door.
“Then I'll take my daughter away from you on the pretense that you're on drugs. You sure do look like it.” Mark pulled on her arms harder and raised his hand as the office door opened. “You don’t want that- do you?”
Gracie had shrunk back when she saw his hands.
The principal opened the door and saw the hand rose to slap her. “Ms. Cameron, please go into the office.”
He escorted Mark off the campus. “Next time you come here, you'll be escorted off by a police officer.”
Mark glared at him before he got into his car and drove off, squealing his wheels.
The principal walked back into the office and saw the tears streaming down Gracie's cheeks. “Dry off your face before your conference. I'm going to call Steven so that he can make sure you get somewhere safe.”
“Thank you, Principal Rogers.” Gracie was scared, and he could tell it when he walked back to his office to call Steven.
She walked to her daughter’s classroom to meet with Bea’s teacher. The principal had also called her on the school phone to let her know what had just happened. After the conference, Mrs. Dalton walked both Gracie and Bea to the office where Steven was talking to Bea’s principal.
Gracie took one look at him, and she could feel the anger in his body language. “I’m sorry, Steven.”
“Again it isn't your fault.” Steven picked up Bea and took Gracie's hand. “Thanks, Terry, for giving me the heads up.”
“Terry?” Gracie had never thought a
bout his name.
“Yes, another friend of mine that was mean to you when you played like you was Cinderella.” Steven glanced at her. “I’m grateful that he remembered you.”
“So am I.” Gracie looked around outside and glanced at her car. “Great, just great! When did he have time to do that?”
“What?” Steven asked before he looked at the car noticing that all four of the tires had been slashed. “What exactly did he want?”
“I'll have to tell you later.” Gracie smiled at Bea. “The teacher really bragged about you, Princess. You're a hard worker.”
Bea smiled at her sadly. She was old enough to know that something bad had just happened to her mother, and she closed her eyes while Steven carried her to his car.
“We'll have a tow truck come and pick up your car.” Steven drove them to his apartment. “Tell me what you need from your place. The best thing you can do will be to spend a couple of days with us.”
“I’ll make you a list, or I could come with you and pack the bag myself.” Gracie answered walking beside Bea into the apartment. “And on the way there, I can tell you what happened.”
“Sounds like a plan. Let me tell Paige and I'll be right back.” Steven called for Paige and followed her voice into the bedroom. He came back out with Paige, who stared at Gracie while she hugged Bea.
“Hello, Princess, would you like to help me cook?” She asked Bea after studying Grace for a couple of minutes.
“Sure!” Bea ran into the kitchen before Paige hugged Gracie.
Gracie looked at her brother after they were on their way to her apartment. “He threatened to take Bea away from me because he thinks I used that money to buy drugs. That's his story if I don't tell you to stay away from him. Accused me of having the habit.” She told him the rest as an afterthought because that was the one thing that stuck in her mind. She watched her brother grow angry.
“He was never a ‘Prince Charming'. That's for sure.” Steven looked around the complex before he allowed Gracie out of the car. They walked into the apartment, and Gracie just stared at her belongings in shock before Steven grabbed the phone to call the police. “Don’t touch anything.”
Finding Gracie's Rainbow Page 2