GRACE

 

 

After we got to Nicole’s apartment in her light blue, 1968 Volkswagen Beetle, we had a morning of eggs and toast, and for lunch, pizza with beer. I think it was the best day of my life. We watched rom-com movies and laughed our heads off.

An overabundance of food and movies later we decided to walk over to a nearby park with a pond, walking along the edge, watching the ducks play and search for food. Nicole had brought bread and seeds for them, saying she came every day to feed and commune with nature––as she put it. I could definitely see what she meant.

After a while, we strolled over to a cart that sold ice cream and picked up a strawberry for her and a cappuccino nut for me. Have I mentioned that I love ice cream?

As we walked, I knew I needed to deal with the problems between Markus and I, I just didn’t want to just yet. I didn’t even know where he was. He could be at his hotel or somewhere else. I need to call him.

As if reading my mind, Nicole said, “I know you need to talk with your man and work things out.”

I felt a bit guilty for ending our girl’s day.  “I’ve had so much fun with you today. I’ve never had this with my hoity-toity, so-called friends.”

“I feel the same way. It’s like our friendships with others were waiting until we crossed paths,” she said quietly, as if the concept was beyond her understanding. “So back to your man––do you want to talk about it?”

Leaning my back against a large oak tree I could feel the rough bark against the thin t-shirt I was wearing. Nicole had taken me back to my house first, so I could change. The back of my head rested against the old tree and I stared at the wispy clouds skittering against the expanse of the blue depths of the sky. It is so clear today. If I stood on a mountain I could see forever, I thought to myself.

“Grace?” a worried voice questioned my musings.

“I’m fine. Just thinking. I don’t know what’s happening to me,” I said in a far away voice. “This thing between us is happening so fast. He only arrived from Italy a few days ago and last night we had sex, but I feel like it was the right thing to do.”

“If you feel it was the thing to do then that’s great. I don’t want to be a party pooper, but I hope you were careful.”

“Careful?” I asked, my back still against the tree. I turned my head to look at her, the bark pulling at my hair.

“Careful––you know, condoms.” Nicole stood facing me, her hands on her hips, impatience in her stance.

Uh oh!  Even though the night had been planned I don’t think either one of us were thinking clearly. We had only had one thought and everything else had taken a back seat.

“By the way you’re acting, I’d say no. It’s too late for the morning after pill, so all you can do is hope. I’m not going to tell you what to do about your new relationship––it’s not my place as your new friend, but I think you know what you feel and what you should do. I have confidence in you.”

I nodded. I had so much fun today, but as they say––life goes on.

“Come on, let’s get you home.” Nicole gave me a quick hug and then started walking away. I quickly followed.

“I need to know where he is.” I pulled my phone out of my bag and saw I had twenty missed calls from both Markus and my father. I rolled my eyes and gave a huge sigh.

“I know.  Men, huh?” Nicole commiserated with me, nodding knowingly.

I clicked on Markus’ number first as we walked back to her apartment waiting for him to pick up.

***

“Grace? I’ve been getting so worried.” I couldn’t believe how his voice gave me such a warm, loved feeling all over. I wanted to clutch the phone over my heart like a simpering teenager.

“I’ve been with Nicole, trying to think things through.” I smiled reassuringly at her. “We need to talk, Markus.”

“I agree, Grace.” I heard a deep sigh. “I took your father to breakfast.”  Well good, I thought. “Things didn’t go well at the end. He threatened you and I.” Well shit, Dad. “That’s what we need to discuss. What you want to do?  Maybe you should think about it on your way over. Grace, he said he would foreclose on your townhouse if we stayed together.” Well double shit.

“I won’t let him threaten me, Markus. I have some money saved and an inheritance from my mother. He can’t do anything. If worse came to worse, I’d pay the townhouse off. Don’t worry about me––I have his number. I’ll see you in a bit.  Let me go home and change first. Bye.”  I hit the end button as I huffed a breath at what my father thought he could make me do.

I only ever agreed with him because it was the easiest way to not fight, but if I had to, I would. If I wanted to keep Markus I would need to, and I wanted to stay with him. Somehow, my schoolgirl crush had already turned to love.

It didn’t take us long to get to Nicole’s little car, and off we went. As her little car rumbled along, we talked.

“Have you decided what you’re going to do about your father? I saw the temper he has, and I heard your phone conversation. He wouldn’t hurt you would he?” Nicole bit her bottom lip with worry.

“No.” I reassured her. “That’s one thing we don’t have to worry about. He might fire me though, if he got mad enough. I know Markus is twenty-five years older than me, but is that enough for all this animosity?”

She shook her head slowly. “I don’t know the answer to that one, Grace.”

“I’m glad you were here for me, Nicole. You’re a great friend. I had fun today. Thank you.” I squeezed her hand resting on the stick shift of her car in thanks.

The rest of the drive was silent as we were wrapped in our own thoughts and worries. I wanted to have the rest of my talk with Markus at my place. I loved my townhouse, and felt more comfortable there. I will call him again when I get home.

As Nicole parked in front of my townhouse, a Jag across the street’s door opened and Markus’ tall figure unfolded from the low vehicle. Why he liked that small, fast car I didn’t know. He definitely didn’t need it to compensate for a small dick. Definitely.

I waved as she drove off, her hand waving back out the window of her car. I winced when I heard her grind the gears.

Turning back, I watched Markus slowly make his way over to stand before me. We stared into each other’s eyes. I know it was cliché, but so be it. H e gathered me into his arms right there on the street. It felt so good to be comforted––and loved. Although, I couldn’t be certain he actually felt that way.

Letting me go, he still had my hand in his. Tight. We slowly walked up the little walkway to my front door. That was when I noticed the lights were on. I had only left the foyer light on beside the security light over the front door. I didn’t need to worry Markus yet, besides he was right next to me.

He put his hand out for me to wait, having noticed the lights on, and quickly realized I wouldn’t have left them on for twenty-four hours.

Quietly opening the door, and slipping through an opening he had made large enough for him, I followed. Markus turned his head to give me a glare that would have frozen anyone made of weaker stuff.

The sound of dishes being moved startled me. I glanced quickly to Markus who had heard the noise and headed that direction ahead of me.

When we rounded the corner, I was shocked to see my father standing at the stove, stirring a couple of pots.

“Dad, what are you doing here?” I asked, standing on my tiptoes trying to see what he making. Markus stood silently by my side. For the moment.

“Gracie––I’m so glad to see you. I’m going to spend more time with you. That must be what you need. More daddy time.” Daddy time, I mouthed as Markus and I exchanged looks.

He continued as I watched the concoction he stirred. “That must be what you need, since you are with a man as old as your father. Maybe a psychologist is needed as well.”

“Dad, I’m not crazy. I love him.” There I said it. It was out there. Suddenly, Markus’ arm wrapped around my shoulders, pulling me against him for comfort.

“Did he tell you I will fire you if you don’t leave him?” He continued to stir the spoon over and over in the pot, still having not looked at us. Was my dad crazy?

“Yes, Dad. You’re not going to trick me into ending us. I know you want to fire me and foreclose on my home. I have money saved.”

“Do you remember you can’t touch your inheritance until you’re twenty-five?”

I had forgotten that part. I looked up to Markus and saw his lips tighten in his anger.  “That doesn’t matter, Paul. I will take care of her if she wants. I love her.”

He squeezed me tighter as he said those three little words. I gazed up into his blue eyes, the love tightening my chest and filling my eyes with tears at the overabundance of emotions I was feeling.

“So, Dad––you can’t blackmail me.”

“We’ll see.  We’ll see,” he said with a smile.  I didn’t know if I should be worried or not, but I had all that I needed in the man beside me.

 

 

 

THE END