Finding Gracie's Rainbow

by Deborah A. Price

  “In which context are you saying that in?”

  “As both her sister and her reverend,” Kim answered as she stood glancing around the kitchen to make sure that they hadn't overlooked anything. “When is this first date set up?”

  “Friday. We're taking Gracie out, and Richie is going to meet us there.” Paige grabbed her keys as they started to walk out.

  “Stick in the mud, depress you until you cry Richie?” Kim asked in shock.

  “I take it that you know him.” Paige asked while they walked out of the apartment and locked it up.

  “You can say that. What other names are on your list?” Kim listened to the names Paige was reciting. “Geez, who made out that list?”

  “Your brother,” Paige had been watching Kim’s expressions as she had mentioned all the names.

  “Talk about playing it safe,” Kim frowned. “Steven’s friends are safe, dull, and predictable.”

  Paige smiled. “Maybe she needs a Jackson.” She sat down in Kim’s car. “He's definitely not boring.”

  Kim pulled up into Paige’s driveway. “Let me know how it goes with Richie.”

  “Will do,” Paige closed the door and walked up to her apartment.

  Kim drove to Salem Publishing Plus to drop by and see Gracie. She sat down in the reception area after Addison smiled at her. She watched with amusement as Gracie was talking on the phone, looking at the computer screen and writing notes on a piece of paper.

  Gracie hung up the phone and paged Addison to come into her office before she answered her cell phone. Kim saw Addison say something to her, and Gracie looked up. Smiling, she motioned for Kim to come into the office while she was still talking.

  “How many things can you do at one time?” Kim asked her sister as she sat down at the desk.

  Gracie shrugged her shoulders as Addison answered Kim. “At least ten and that is why she’s the boss.”

  “And if I had your memory, I would be dangerous. I think that this takes care of Mr. Johnson.” Gracie turned her attention to Kim after Addison shut the door.

  “I’ve never actually seen you work.” Kim beamed at her.

  “You haven’t missed much. This is what all those years at Night College have got me.” Gracie sat down behind her desk. “What brings you out here so late?”

  “We just finished putting your kitchen back together, and I thought I would stop by to invite you to the barbeque that Robert is throwing on Saturday.”

  “Sounds like fun.” Gracie thanked her before Kim stood up to leave.

  “Oh, one more thing,” Kim glanced down at her. “I heard Jackson benefited from your anger again.”

  “How did you hear that?” Gracie frowned as she looked back up at her.

  “Paige saw you.” Kim smiled as she saw Gracie looked back down.

  “Maybe he shouldn’t be around when I get angry.” Gracie mumbled after Kim laughed.

  “Are you sure that’s all there is to it?” Kim smirked. “I’ll leave so you can think about that. Are you coming to service tonight?”

  “Sure,” Gracie watched as Kim walked out of the office.

  “Does that pen taste good?” Addison knocked on the door, walking in as she asked.

  “Huh?” Gracie looked up as she came closer to the desk.

  “The pen?” Addison was smiling as Gracie took the pen out of her mouth and looked at it. “If you're hungry, you could've found something better to eat.”

  Gracie looked up at the clock and shut down her computer. She picked up the pen and threw it away before she walked out of the office with Addison. “I guess I was just thinking.” They walked out to the parking lot. “See you tomorrow, Addie.” Gracie shut her car door and headed to her mom’s house to pick up Bea.

  Bea was watching for her and walked out the door as soon as Gracie closed the car door.

  Gracie smiled when she saw her daughter running towards her. “Momma!” Bea hugged her tight as a puppy followed her.

  “Let me guess. Uncle Jackson has two puppies.” Gracie smiled down at Bea.

  “This one is mine.” Bea watched Gracie frown.

  “We can’t have a pet, Bea. I thought we had already discussed this.” Gracie watched as her daughter went from happy to sad in the blink of an eye. “It’s against the apartment's rules.”

  “Oh.” Bea was crestfallen.

  “Maybe we can talk Granny into keeping it here while I try to figure something out or Jackson could keep it with his puppy.” Gracie picked up the puppy and looked into its eyes. “Another fuzz ball,” she handed the puppy to Bea before she hugged Janet. “Where is he?”

  “Who?” Janet saw Gracie frowning at the puppy. “Jackson?”

  “Exactly.”

  “Outside with Chandler,” Janet watched as Gracie marched out the back door.

  Gracie saw Jackson standing next to the swing set and walked over to him. “For your information, we can't have pets at the apartment.”

  “You can’t?” Jackson frowned at the look that Gracie shot him.

  “No, we can’t. Now I have to find somewhere else to live so I don’t break her heart anymore.” Gracie turned away from him. “You can keep the fuzz ball until then and thank you very much.”

  Chandler only laughed at the look on Jackson’s face after Gracie walked back into the house.

  “I guess I should've asked first.” Jackson picked up a screwdriver and placed it back into the toolbox.

  “I have a feeling you knew exactly what you were doing.” Chandler stepped back and looked at the swing set. “Seems like we're finished. Gracie and Bea usually eat over here on Wednesdays, and we go to Church. You're more than welcome to stay.”

  “Thanks, I’ll pass this time.” Jackson picked up the puppies.

  He walked in and watched as Gracie talked to Bea, who was crying. Gracie looked up at him and glared. “‘Uncle’ Jackson, would you please tell Bea that you won't give away her puppy.”

  “Of course, I won’t. We'll figure something out.” He knelt down beside the little girl. “I could fix him a pen here, and you can see him every day after you get out of school.”

  “Really?” She took the puppy that he handed to her as Gracie moaned.

  He looked up to see disbelief mixed with a little anger in her face. “What?”

  “Never mind, Jackson,” Gracie took the puppy away from Bea and handed him back to Jackson after telling Bea to go wash her hands again. “Are you trying to make me mad?” She asked after she heard the water running in the bathroom.

  “I had good intentions, but on second thought. . .” He smiled when he looked at her mouth.

  Janet watched the two of them interacting as Bea came back into the room. She studied Gracie as she smiled sweetly while sitting down at the table. “Is there something going on between you and Jackson?”

  “No, Mom, there's nothing going on with me and Jackson.” Gracie looked innocent when answered. “Nothing at all. Eat Bea, or we're going to be late to service.”

  ~

  Gracie was helping Kim place the Hymnals on the back of the pews as her sister watched. “Is there something bothering you, Cinderella?”

  “No.” Gracie looked over at Bea as she answered. “It’s not really bothering me. I just need to figure how I'm going to find another apartment that I can afford the rent on and allows pets.”

  “Why?” Kim sat down on the pew.

  “’Uncle’ Jackson gave someone a puppy without asking me.” Gracie smiled when Bea looked over in their direction. “Sammie is turning into quite a young woman.” Gracie was quick to change the subject.

  “She is, and you’re not changing the subject on me. Did you get mad?” Kim asked as she watched her husband, Robert, walk over to them.

  “I did, but I just smiled at him this time.” Gracie greeted Robert after she answered her sister’s question.

  “When are you going to start singing for the church again?” Robert asked after he hugged her.

  “I’m not sur
e I'm going to. That’s something I'll have to think about.” Gracie smiled at them and told everybody good night after she took her daughter’s hand.

  Chapter 4

  “What if I don’t want to go out Friday night, Steven?” Gracie asked looking at him seriously.

  “You need a night out.” Steven looked around her office taking in the plain white walls.

  “Like I need the headache you're giving me.” Gracie went and shut her office doors. “And by the way, maybe you should start going to church to confess all the lies you're telling to everybody.”

  “What lies?” Steven asked with a smirk. “Now let's talk about Friday night.”

  “What about it?” Gracie held up her hand as she answered the phone. “Sorry, Steven. I have some work to do.” She buzzed Addison as Steven watched Gracie looking hard at him on his way out the doors.

  After Gracie and Addison solved the latest crisis, Gracie looked at her secretary. “He is so up to something.”

  “Your brother?” Addison watched as Gracie let her hair down.

  “The one and only, and I guess if I want to find out what it is, I’ll have to go out tomorrow night.” Gracie turned off the lights in her office and shut the door.

  “Let me know when you figure it out.” Addison laughed at the look that Gracie shot her.

  ~

  “Is that what you're wearing?” Steven asked his sister while scrutinizing the slacks and sweater that she had been wearing at the office.

  “Since you couldn’t, or wouldn’t, tell me anything, yes, this is what I'm wearing.” Gracie looked at him angrily. “I still don’t understand why you think I need a night out.”

  “Because you've become a wall flower, and I guess if that is what you're wearing, then I’ll have to be happy with it.” Steven opened the door for her. He glanced at Paige as they drove off for the restaurant.

  They walked into Asahi and sat down at the sushi bar before Gracie noticed that Steven was watching the door.

  “Are you looking for someone, Steven?” Gracie looked at Paige in shock. “Please, tell me that this isn't a blind date.”

  “I'm afraid it is, Gracie.” Paige looked apologetically at her friend. “Kim says this guy is a total bore.”

  “Kim knows?” Gracie was about to stand when Steven walked in with one of his old friends.

  “Richie, this is my sister, Grace.” Steven introduced them before he sat down beside Paige.

  Gracie looked over at Steven before she glanced up to see Jackson stroll in with a date. He stopped as he saw Gracie sitting beside Richie.

  “Hello,” Jackson glanced at Steven before back at Gracie’s date. “How's it going, Richie?”

  “Going fine, Jackson,” Richie stood to shake his hand, and Gracie used that moment to escape to the bathroom. Jackson watched her with amusement when she walked away. He sat down at the table after introducing his date to everybody, and they were chatting when Gracie came back to the table. Paige could tell that she was bored and noticed the anger starting to form in her eyes.

  Gracie looked at her brother angrily the minute Richie left. “I can't believe you!” She stood, glancing towards Jackson as she threw her napkin down. “And you. I'm going to take a wild guess and say that you knew about this so-called date.”

  Jackson looked up at her. “No, I knew that there were going to blind dates, but I didn't know with who or where or when. I'm surprised that Richie made the list though.”

  “Then why are you here?” Gracie was still angry. “And why did you say ‘dates’ and what list?”

  “Annie wanted to have some sushi, and I don’t know why I said dates.” Jackson studied her. “Calm down, Cinderella, before you cause a scene.”

  “I'm ready to go.” Gracie glanced at Steven and Paige before she walked away from the table.

  Steven paid the check and left the tip before walking out to the car where Gracie was still trying to calm down. “I really do hate her temper.” He whispered to Paige while they walked towards Gracie.

  “This is all on you, Steven. I hope you enjoy it.” Paige answered him back. She watched as Gracie stared at Jackson while he walked out with his own date. Steven wasn't pleased as he watched her and told them to get into the car.

  ~

  Gracie was sitting in one of the patio chairs, stretched out in a white t-shirt and shorts spending time with Sammie before the rest of her family showed. Kim walked over to her. “So how was your date last night?”

  “Was that what that was? I thought they were just trying to put me to sleep.” Gracie felt her anger return when she heard Sammie laugh at the description of the blind date.

  “Richie is one of the most boring people I know.” Kim smiled until she saw the look on Gracie’s face.

  “You could've warned me.” Gracie retorted watching her parents walk out to the yard.

  “I wanted to.” Kim admitted while she watched Bea eating a Popsicle as the juice ran down her shirt.

  “Who invited Jackson?” Gracie was staring at the door. “Bea, ‘Uncle’ Jackson brought your puppy.”

  “He did?” Bea ran to the house and took the puppy from Jackson, smiling as the puppy wiggled happily in her arms.

  Gracie watched her daughter before she glanced back at her sister. “Again- who invited Jackson?”

  “I did.” Kim sat down next to her sister. “Aren't you comfortable with him being here?”

  “He's your friend.” Gracie stood and finished setting the table for Kim, who just watched her. “Besides he makes Bea happy.”

  “I thought he was your friend, also, but as long as it's for Bea.” Kim said before she stood. “But what about you?”

  “Me? I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Gracie watched the puppy with interest. “It’s about Bea’s happiness.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong. What about your happiness?” Kim walked off not waiting for an answer to plate some of the food that Robert was taking off the grill. She watched as Jackson made his way over to where Gracie was standing.

  “How are you today, Jackson?” Gracie studied the amused expression on his face.

  “I wasn't the one that was set up with Richie.” Jackson sat down at the table. “How did you get talked into that?”

  “My dear brother told me that I needed a night out. You could've told me what they were planning as often as you’ve seen me this past week.” Gracie saw the smug look on his face. “I'm not going to get mad and kiss you again, so stop trying if that’s what you’re after.”

  “As much as I enjoyed those brilliant kisses, that ain't what I'm after.” Jackson looked at her seriously. “I wouldn’t have picked Richie if he was the last person on earth. Not for you.”

  “Thank God.” Gracie smiled at him. “Where’s your date?”

  Jackson laughed as he shook his head. “She didn’t like all the accusations being thrown around last night at dinner, so I dropped her off and haven’t heard from her since.” He ran a hand through his jet-black hair. “Cinderella didn’t kiss her fella last night.”

  “You could kiss Richie, Jackson. He's certainly not my type.” Gracie watched as Steven started to walk out to the back yard. “Just don’t make Steven jealous.” She winked before she walked away from him.

  Steven watched Gracie walk away from Jackson as he made his way to his friend. “Jackson.”

  “I so hope the next guy you set her up with isn’t as boring as Richie.” Jackson pushed away from the table. “And please, let me know where you take them, so I won’t go to the same place.”

  “I thought you wanted to watch us set her up.” Steven was laughing at him.

  “Not if you can’t pick any better than that.” Jackson said as he looked over at the grill. “Your sister needs something that a man like Richie can’t offer. A little fantasy, romance, or at least fairy tale status.”

  “And you know everything about my sister- don’t you?” Steven glared at him.

  “I watched her grow up, also,
Steven. I paid close attention to her, and I warned you about what Mark was doing.” Jackson looked hard at him. “You didn’t listen to me then like you aren't listening to me now.”

  Gracie listened to them raise their voices while talking angrily as she stood with Paige and Kim. They all looked at each other.

  “As a matter of fact, you told me to back off and mind my own business.” Jackson stopped when they saw the girls looking at them. “And now I've said too much.”

  “You warned me?!” Steven stared at him dumbfounded.

  “Yes, I did, Steven, and I'm not going to tell you what you said as the vulgarity of it ain't for the ears of young children.” Jackson looked at Gracie after she had walked up to them.

  “You knew that Mark was cheating on me? Even when I was in high school?” Gracie stared at him when he nodded. “And you told Steven?” Again, she saw a nod for an answer. “Did you know he was beating me, too?” Jackson shook his head no when she stared at him.

  “I think that if I had known that, I would’ve taken care of it myself. With or without Steven,” Jackson tried to smile as he answered Gracie.

  Gracie frowned as she looked at them both before walking over to where Paige and Kim stood. “I'm going for a walk.” She walked through the house and out the front door as she was thinking to herself.

  Jackson had known that Mark was cheating on her and had told Steven. She kicked at a piece of loose gravel as she walked. Why hadn't she been told? Would it have made a difference? She was still frowning when Jackson started walking beside her. “Why are you walking with me, Jackson?”

  “Kim sent me.” Jackson stopped to tie his shoe and noticed that Gracie kept walking. “You want to know why.”

  “No, I want to know if I would've listened if you had told me.” Gracie was pensive when she paused and looked at him.

  “I think that you were too much in love with him to listen.” Jackson was smiling. “I was waiting for you to say something, so I could take care of it seeing as Steven wasn’t too concerned about it.”

  “But I didn’t say anything, and looks can be deceiving. I had actually broken up with him a week before we were married.” Gracie admitted to him. “I was Pennsylvania, so I couldn’t say anything.”