I, Gracie

by Sharon Sala

  Gracie just nodded.

  "Life is weird like that. You do things for one reason, and then wind up on a whole other path. I quit questioning it years ago."

  But Reba couldn't let it go. "I felt so helpless, watching you. I want to learn how to do that. I'm going to look on YouTube tonight."

  Gracie grinned. "The world has surely changed since I was last in it. It appears there is an answer for everything on YouTube."

  Reba grinned. "Pretty much," she said, and began unwrapping her sandwich, then so did Gracie. After that, they talked as they ate, and by the time they got back to the Majestic, Reba had decided Gracie Dunham was the coolest woman she'd ever met, while Gracie was beginning to think she might have just made another new friend.

  Reba immediately began telling everyone what had happened, while Gracie washed up, put her apron back on, and went to work.

  Laura and Michelle left to go to lunch, leaving Donna there with Gracie and Reba.

  "Good job," Donna said, as Gracie was putting the finishing touches on an FTD order.

  "Thanks," Gracie said.

  "And good job saving a life today."

  "Just in the right place at the right time," Gracie said.

  Long after Donna had walked away, Gracie began thinking, as she kept working, about all the times Mama had choked. She'd never thought about those instances as saving her life. She was just helping Mama catch her breath. And then she thought of the nights she'd gone to bed and prayed for the Lord to take Mama home because of how she was suffering.

  So, Lord...all those times I kept praying for Mama to be released from her hell, and then she would choke, and I'd save her? Was that you trying to answer my prayers, or were you just testing me, making sure I was still the faithful daughter?

  She struggled the rest of the afternoon, trying to make sense of something that no longer mattered. It was going to take more than leaving Texas for Texas to leave her alone.

  John mashed his finger on the job a couple of hours before the end of their day. It bled under the nail for a solid hour before it stopped, and he knew the nail would definitely come off. It wasn't the first time this had happened, and in his line of work, it likely wouldn't be the last. But right now, he was pissed off at himself, and by the time he'd locked up for the night and headed home, also miserable.

  He thought about Gracie on the way, wondering how her first day on the job had gone, hoping it had been better than his. By the time he got home, he had a headache of major proportions, and his whole hand was throbbing.

  He showered, dressed in a pair of sweats, then doctored his finger again, popped some over the counter pain pills, and laid down on his bed with his hand in a bowl of ice.

  He thought about watching TV but decided to call Gracie instead.

  "Hello?"

  "Hi, Gracie. It's me."

  There was a moment of silence. John wondered if he'd lost the connection, and then she spoke.

  "What's wrong?"

  He frowned. "Why would you ask that?"

  "Because your voice sounds stressed," she said.

  He sighed. "You heard all that in 'Hi, Gracie. It's me?'"

  "You still haven't answered me, which means something is wrong."

  "Does mashing the holy hell out of my finger count?" he asked.

  Gracie groaned. "Oh no! I'm so sorry. Is there anything I can do? Where are you?"

  "I'm home feeling sorry for myself, and no, honey, there isn't anything you can do. I guess I just wanted to hear your voice, and to tell you again what a wonderful time I had last night."

  "Oh... So did I."

  "How was your first day at work?" John asked.

  "It was good. Everything went well. I like the people I work with. I like my boss. I love the work, too."

  John smiled. "Awesome. I knew you'd do great."

  But Gracie wasn't buying his chatty conversation act.

  "Are you icing your finger?"

  "Yes, as we speak, in a whole bowl of ice."

  She sighed. "I'm sorry. I shut my hand in a car door once. Well, the wind blew the door shut on my hand, but however it happened, it sure didn't change the pain. I empathize. Did you take painkillers?"

  "Yes. It'll kick in here in a bit. I just wanted to touch base with you before I fell asleep."

  "Then consider the base as having been touched. Close your eyes and rest."

  "Was it first base or second base," John asked.

  Gracie laughed out loud. "If you have to ask, then you need to try harder."

  She was laughing as she hung up.

  He grinned, then winced and shoved his hand deeper into the ice.

  She still had the best laugh.

  Gracie was sweeping off the back porch when Delia came out of the house in a black and white polka dot dress and black heels. Her curly blonde hair was piled up on her head, and her fire engine red lipstick embellished her sweet smile.

  "Mama! You look beautiful!"

  "Your daddy is taking me dancing."

  Gracie stopped sweeping and looked toward the back door.

  "Daddy's here, too?"

  Delia laughed and turned just as the screen door opened again.

  "See? Where I go, Tommy goes, too. He wanted to say hello, sweetie."

  Gracie's heart was racing. "Daddy! You look so young...and handsome!"

  He grinned, then slipped his arm around Delia's waist.

  "You did good, Gracie Jean. Be happy."

  And then he turned Delia into his arms and began dancing her around the porch, spinning and spinning, until they were gone.

  * * *

  Gracie woke up with tears on her face.

  It was almost sunup.

  She threw back the covers, went to get a Coke from the refrigerator, and then walked to the east windows overlooking Lucy's garden.

  The horizon here was blocked by trees, and the streetlights and security lights blinded her to the darkness of night.

  There were no coyotes here to sing her to sleep. And she might not get the full value of the color blast of a new day, but she was at peace.

  She took a drink of Coke, thinking about Mama and Daddy. The feeling within her now was a sense of peace.

  That wasn't just a dream.

  They had paid her a visit—to let her know they were well and happy, and proud of her for a job well done.

  She took another sip of Coke and then focused on the sky.

  Mama used to say that the sun in the morning and the moon at night were God's lights. So, she stood watch, looking above the city lights, waiting for God's light to arrive. And when it did, the pastel wash of pink and yellow that finally appeared above the treetops was enough to make Gracie smile.

  Today was here...and so was she.

  It was time to make the most of it.

  She picked up her phone and sent John a text.

  Look to the East, John. It's a beautiful morning.

  She waited, wondering if she'd texted him too early. Wondering if he was still asleep, she turned away from the window and went to get ready for work.

  She was in the closet picking out something to wear when she found the old note that she'd packed.

  I, Gracie, lost Mama today.

  She sighed. "Nobody is lost anymore, Mama. Not you. Not me. And that reminds me. I need to email Decker's Funeral Home and give them my new address so they can mail me your death certificate. I'm not going to lose track of the life insurance you set aside for me. Not when it meant so much to you that I had it."

  She slipped the note beneath a stack of t-shirts, the grabbed her laptop and sent the funeral home her updated address with the reminder about the death certificate, then she ran to get dressed.

  John hadn't slept worth a shit.

  His finger was still sore and achy when he'd finally given up on sleep and gone downstairs for coffee, which he'd then carried out to the front deck.

  It was so quiet here. Watching night give way to a new day was a ritual, just as it was for hi
m to salute the end of the dying day on the back deck.

  The little rabbit was noticeably absent. Likely still hiding under the deck from the night owls.

  He was thinking about Gracie when his phone signaled a text from her. He pulled it up, read it, then smiled.

  Damn. What were the odds? Both of them already up. Waiting for sunrise. It was almost like sharing it together.

  He texted her back.

  Already here, waiting. Wish I was watching it with you.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Joel came to before nightfall, confused and in pain.

  Mamie was instantly at his side.

  "Sweetheart! Thank God you're awake. Are you in pain?"

  "Hurts. What happened?" he mumbled, as he began feeling his belly.

  "You were attacked. You're in the hospital, and you're going to be okay. I've been so worried. I love you. So much."

  "Love you... Don't remember," he said.

  "It's okay. You will," Gracie said.

  "Tell me."

  Gracie sighed. "We came home from counseling, remember?"

  He was struggling to focus.

  "Yes...counseling."

  "You went in the house ahead of me and walked in on a robbery in progress. The man stabbed you. You had surgery. You're going to be fine. Just lie still and rest. I'm going to call the nurse."

  Then Mamie rang for the nurse and told them he was awake and in pain.

  "I'll be right there," she said.

  Joel reached for Mamie's hand.

  "Hurt you?"

  "No. He did not hurt me at all. I hit him on the head with my cast iron skillet. He was still unconscious when the police and ambulance came."

  Joel's eyes widened. "You fought?"

  She frowned, her eyes flashing in anger.

  "Yes, I fought. He invaded our home. He tried to kill you. No way was I letting him get away."

  Joel closed his eyes, but he was smiling.

  "Holy shit, baby. Holy shit."

  Mamie sighed. For the first time since all this awful thing began, she was feeling hopeful that they would be okay.

  And then the nurse came in, checked all his vitals, and gave him his next dose of pain meds in his IV.

  "Just relax, Joel, and breathe easy. The meds will take effect in a couple of minutes," the nurse said.

  "Thank you," Mamie said.

  "Of course," she said. "That's what we're here for."

  And then she was gone.

  Mamie pulled her chair closer to Joel's bed, then sat with her hand on his leg, patting it as he fell back to sleep.

  Joel would heal.

  They would heal.

  Mamie Freemont had been given a second chance to do the right thing, and she'd done it without thinking of the risks. For the first time in her life, she'd thought of someone else before she'd thought of herself.

  The next few days passed in a flurry of flowers and deadlines. Gracie had found her rhythm. She and John talked every night, and she was anxiously awaiting Saturday because he was taking her to his home for dinner.

  He'd already warned her it was barbecue casual and to wear whatever was most comfortable for her because he was grilling on the deck.

  She hadn't actually seen him since their dinner at Saltgrass and was coming to understand the meaning of absence making the heart grow fonder. She had been within the center of his embrace. She'd felt his empathy and his strength, and she wanted that again, and more.

  When she'd woken up this morning and remembered it was Saturday, she'd bounced out of bed with a smile on her face. Half a day at work and then John!

  She raced around the apartment getting ready, ate a toasted waffle while standing up at the sink, then took off down the stairs to her car.

  Lucy was outside at her bird feeders in a peacock-blue caftan. She had a scarf tied around her hair, a hammer in one hand, and some kind of feeder in the other. But it was her bare feet that made Gracie smile.

  Then she remembered! The squirrel feeder. She glanced at the time and took off across the drive.

  "Is that your squirrel feeder?" Gracie asked.

  "Yes, and I'm trying to decide where to hang it," Lucy said.

  "Where the squirrels live," Gracie said, and took the hammer, nails, and the feeder out of Lucy’s hands. "Pick a tree."

  Lucy giggled. "I think that big one, the farthest away from the bird feeders."

  "Good choice," Gracie said, and loped across the grounds with Lucy a short distance behind her. Once she reached the tree, she turned and looked back at the house, making sure to put it in a location Lucy could see. Watching squirrels was almost as entertaining as watching birds. She eyed the size of the feeder, then drove a nail into the tree and hung the feeder at a height Lucy could reach. "How's that?" she asked.

  Lucy came up behind her, breathless, but smiling.

  "Perfect, and just the right height for me to refill it. Thank you, darling!" she said, and gave Gracie a big hug.

  Gracie hugged her back. "You're welcome," she said. "Have a good day," she said, and jogged back to her car.

  Lucy turned and waved as Gracie drove past.

  Gracie honked, and so her day began.

  There was a steady stream of customers in the Majestic all morning, which Gracie loved. Work made time pass twice as fast, and she wasn't having to "learn" a new job. She was doing something she already knew.

  It was about an hour before closing, and Gracie was working on a bouquet that was going to be picked up soon. She was laser-focused on getting it done and had zoned everyone and everything else out.

  Donna was up front. The last customer had just left the building when the door dinged and another walked in. She smiled at him as she approached.

  "Good morning! Can I help you with anything, or do you want to look around a bit?"

  "My name is Edward Rollins. I'm looking for a young woman named Gracie. They told me at Subway she might work here because she was there the other day with someone who does. Work here, that is."

  Reba had just put a new bouquet in the display cooler and overheard enough of the conversation to realize who he was.

  "Oh my gosh! Donna, this is the man Gracie saved. The one who was choking."

  Edward nodded. "Yes, that's me. I don't want to interfere with her work. I just wanted to thank her."

  "Of course. Reba, go get Gracie," Donna said.

  Reba went straight back to Gracie's table.

  "There's someone up front who wants to speak with you."

  Gracie frowned. "Who?"

  Reba grinned. "It's the man you saved from choking. Now go!"

  Gracie was surprised, but pleased to know he was okay. She wiped her hands and headed up front. She recognized him instantly, but he looked much better than he had when she'd last seen him.

  The moment Edward locked eyes on her, he smiled.

  "There you are," he said. "I hope you don't mind that I'm here, but I just needed to find you—to thank you for saving my life."

  "I was just in the right place at the right time," Gracie said.

  "No. It was more than that," Edward said. "You did more than save me from choking. You really called it on my blood pressure problems. I spent a day in the hospital until they got it leveled out. I was bordering on a stroke. You didn't save me once. You saved me twice. I know the hug you gave me was life-saving, but may I be allowed to give a real hug as a gesture of my sincerest gratitude?"

  Gracie didn't hesitate. "Absolutely," she said, and threw her arms around his neck.

  He grinned and hugged her, then stepped back, still holding her hand.

  "We haven't been formally introduced. I'm Edward Rollins."

  "And I'm Gracie Dunham. It's a pleasure to see you in such good health."

  "Yes, well... I just wanted you to know how much I appreciate you. I wish you a long and blessed life, Gracie Dunham. And now, I'll be on my way."

  He nodded at Donna and then walked out of the store, got into a black Jaguar, and drove a
way.

  Gracie went back to the workroom, with Reba right behind her.

  "He was driving a Jag," she said.

  "I saw it," Gracie said.

  "I always wanted one of those," Donna said.

  "I never was into sports cars," Gracie said. "I was a rancher's kid. If our vehicles weren't big enough to pull a loaded cattle trailer, they weren't worth having."

  The girls all laughed, and Gracie smiled as she put the final touches on a bouquet of roses.

  The door dinged again. Donna glanced up, then smiled at the young man who'd just entered.

  "Good timing, Gracie. Here comes the new daddy after his bouquet of roses."

  "I'll carry it to the counter for you," Gracie said, and followed Donna, who hobbled up to the register in her walking cast and set the roses down on the counter.

  "Oh wow! Those are beautiful," the man said.

  "Thank you," Donna said, as Gracie went back to the workroom and glanced at the clock.

  It was twenty minutes to twelve.

  Donna came back, smiling.

  "We've done prom flowers for that young man. We did the flowers for his wedding, and now we've done flowers for his wife at the birth of their first child. I feel like an honorable auntie, or something. Girls, finish what you're doing, and then clean up your worktable. When you're done, go on home. If we get a last-minute customer, I'll handle it."

  They didn't have to be told twice. A short time later, they were gone, and Donna locked up the front door, turned on the Closed sign, and began counting out the till.

  Gracie was sitting at a stop sign when a white van drove through the intersection. She saw the sign and the logo on the side and grinned.

  COYOTE CONSTRUCTION.

  The logo was of a coyote running at full speed. What made her laugh was that the coyote had been painted to appear as if it was running toward the back of the van, while the van was moving forward.

  She watched it passing, and then laughed out loud at the coyote they'd painted on the back doors. It was sitting on its haunches, facing the traffic behind it, tongue hanging out, as if it were too tired to go any farther.