I drive to Grace’s house, knowing full well that my doing so could lead to a confrontation with her foster father, Andrew. But I’m prepared to do whatever it takes to win Grace back.
I park on the side of the street, not wanting to draw attention to myself and I take a moment to gather myself together before going inside. My grip on the steering wheel is tight and my breathing feels labored. After a few minutes, I compose myself and get out of the car, my heart beating out of my chest.
I knock on the door and hope beyond hope that it’s Grace that answers.
The door swings open and there she is. Just as fucking beautiful as the day she walked into my office—and also the day she walked out of it. Even more beautiful, actually—her beauty has only become more evident to me as I’ve gotten to know her better, fallen more and more in love with her, if I admit it to myself.
When I first met her, there had been a mysterious glow to her, drawing me in and making me want to find out more about her. Then, there was something about her fiery spirit that turned me on even though I was mad at her for walking away from me. And now, it’s pure innocence and happiness to see me again that radiates from her, making her look even more lovely than usual.
Her face looks radiant and her curves so tempting I wish I could take her right here, right now. She fucking takes my breath away.
“Boyd!” Grace says, excitement and fear crossing her face within seconds of each other. She looks behind her and lowers her voice. “What are you doing here? Andrew and Colleen are home.”
“I don’t care about them. I care about you,” I say, reaching for her. “I came here to tell you that I was crushed the day you quit. I can’t get you out of my head. I need you, Grace. Please, just hear me out.”
“Boyd,” Grace says, and turns around as if she hears something behind her. “You can’t be here. But I’ve been wanting to talk to you.”
She starts to step out onto the porch, making my heart race at the knowledge that she will come outside with me. But then someone reaches out and grabs her arm, pulling her back into the house and closing the door in my face, leaving me standing there dumbfounded.
Fuck that. No one shuts the door on me, and no one roughs up the love of my life.
The love of my life.
I begin pounding on the door, telling myself not to put too much thought into that just now. I know I can’t get swept away in romantic fervor when I’m about to have a big fight on my hands. There will be time for emotions later.
I hear the door open again after a moment and then I look up to see Andrew glaring down at me. Grace stands a little way behind him in the doorway, starting to protest, “Andrew, it’s fine, just let me…”
But he whips his head around and hushes, “Shut up, Grace,” before turning back to me.
“Don’t talk to her like that!” I yell, at the same time he crosses his arms and says, “What are you doing here, Boyd? You’re not welcome on my property.”
“What’s going on?” Someone calls from the hallway and we’re joined by a woman I can only assume is Colleen. “Andrew?” she asks, unsure of what to make of the situation.
“Grace, go to your room. I need to have a talk with your boss,” Andrew says, and Grace makes to do as she’s told, as if out of instinct or habit. But then she stops and turns back to me.
“No, I want to hear what he has to say,” Grace says, crossing her arms. I watch as the shock of this defiance crosses Andrew’s face. “And I’m not a child. I’m 19 years old. I won’t be told to go to my room.”
“Grace,” I say, wanting her to find her way to me, away from these controlling people. She moves toward me, but Andrew stops her.
“Grace,” I say, again, my chest rising up in Andrew’s direction as if to warn him to leave her alone. “You need to get away from these people. They’re only going to continue to control and manipulate you. You shouldn’t be made to feel bad about wanting to explore things for yourself. You shouldn’t be made to feel dirty for having desires. You shouldn’t feel guilty for wanting things or wanting to be with me. They’re preventing you from living your own life. It’s not a sin to be with the man you love.”
I make my way towards her, but Andrew stands in front of me, blocking my path.
“She doesn’t love you, Boyd,” Andrew says, matter-of-factly. He glares at me, so confident in his assessment of the situation.
“Grace,” I say, ignoring him and looking directly at her. “He’s just jealous of what we have. He’s jealous that I’m in love with you. He wants you all to himself. He wants you to be with him.” I don’t look at Colleen, but out of the corner of my eye, I see her move further into the house. I can’t help but feel bad for her, even if none of this seems surprising to her and she instead seems resigned to her fate. “Please, Grace. Come with me. I’ll take care of you. You can come back to work and you’ll be given a raise. You can live on your own. Or, with me.”
I look at her, pleadingly, and our eyes meet. She gives me a small smile that lifts my heart.
“She’s not going anywhere with you,” Andrew says, trying to close the door on me. But Grace places a hand on the door and stops him from closing it further.
“Yes, I am, Andrew,” Grace says, and pulls the door open. Andrew stands there in shock and lets her go. “I love him and I’m going with him.” Grace moves past him, but he grabs her arm again.
“Grace, you don’t belong with him. If you belong with anyone, it’s me. We’ve given you everything. Don’t give that up. Can you imagine what God must be thinking right now?” Andrew says, desperation heavy in his voice.
“God can think whatever he wants and so can I.” Grace pulls herself out of his grasp and walks down the steps towards me. I reach out towards her, enveloping her once she reaches me. She even smells the same. I savor every moment as I place a gentle, yet desperate kiss on her sweet tasting lips.
“You won’t be welcome back at the Church, Grace,” Andrew says, in one last ditch effort to get Grace to change her mind. “Or this house.”
She turns around and looks directly at him and takes my hand. “I don’t want to go to a church that doesn’t have my best interests at heart and makes me feel guilty about things I know I shouldn’t feel guilty about. Thank you for all that you’ve done for me but it’s time I found my own path. And that doesn’t include living here anymore.”
She turns her back on Andrew and we walk back toward my car, an extra spring in both our steps.