Finding Gracie's Rainbow

by Deborah A. Price

Gracie stood and walked towards the hall as Paige and Kim watched her. “Where are you going, Gracie?”

  “I have to leave.” She looked over at Bea. “I’ll be back in a bit.” She walked out the front door, happy that Steven had parked beside the road instead of blocking her.

  Bea looked at her aunt. “Why is Momma upset?”

  “I don’t know what to tell you, Bea.” Paige answered for Kim before she walked up the hall to the back door. She looked at Steven angrily. “I don’t know what your problem is, and I don’t care, but the both of you are killing Gracie.” She studied the blood on both of their faces as Kim walked out with her. “Grow up, Steven!”

  “I have grown up.” Steven was still glaring at Jackson. “He’s the one acting like. . .”

  “He acts like he cares.” Kim watched as their parents walked into the house. “Oops. I guess I called some referees.”

  Paige called Janet and Chandler outside as Kim talked to Steven. Chandler looked in amusement at Steven and Jackson. “I thought we've been through this before.”

  Jackson said not a word until he got off the ground. “We have, and I thought we were fine, but Steven here has had a change of mind.”

  Kim took Janet inside and she, along with Paige told her everything. Kim was able to add. “Jackson is in love with Gracie.”

  Paige looked over in Kim’s direction while she raised her eyes. “When did he finally admit to that?”

  “Before Steven decked him.” Kim looked over at her mother seriously concerned about Gracie. “She isn’t going to try. Robert asked them why they just didn’t go ahead and date.”

  “And what did she say?” Janet looked from Paige to Kim, expecting an off-the-wall answer.

  “She's afraid that if it doesn’t work it will take away from Jackson’s and Bea’s relationship.” Kim answered as Paige listened because she hadn't heard about this from before.

  “Why is it all about Bea again?” Paige asked Kim curiously while she listened to the raised voices in the back yard.

  “That is just the way Gracie is.” Kim took some glasses out from the cabinet. “Personally, I think that she just doesn’t want to get serious with anybody because she doesn’t want to get hurt again.”

  “It’s been eight years at the least.” Janet looked up as Robert came into the house looking at everybody before realizing they were in the middle of a family conversation. “Sit down, Robert. How are you doing?”

  “I'll answer that after I find out what is going on.” He sat down as Kim offered him a glass of water. “There’s something going on in the back yard.”

  “Just a fight,” Janet looked back over at her daughter. “Jackson and Gracie are going to do nothing but torment each other if they can’t figure this out.”

  ~

  Gracie drove to Addison’s apartment and knocked on the door while she thought about what was happening at Kim’s house. Addison opened the door and looked at her puzzled. “This can’t be good.” She ushered Gracie into the house. “What’s going on?”

  Gracie looked at Dylan apologetically before she asked if she could borrow Addison for a bit. Addison walked out to the terrace and shut the door behind her as Gracie started spilling everything. There were some points where they laughed but when Gracie mentioned what was going on when she left Kim’s house, Addison just listened to her.

  “I don’t know what to say, Gracie.” Addison tried to read Gracie’s face. “But I do think the doctor thinks more of you than you imagine.”

  “That’s what scares me. I opened up a can of worms when I kissed him the first time.” Gracie leaned on the railing. “What’s even scarier is that I find myself thinking about him when I have down time.”

  “You do?” Addison smiled at her then. “How is that scary?”

  “I don’t want to be in a relationship with anybody.” Gracie was serious when she admitted that to Addison. “Steven isn't exactly helping with any of this.”

  “Steven is about what Steven wants.” Addison said as Gracie looked at her shocked. “I have eyes and remember I dated your brother for a couple of months.”

  “I was almost able to forget that.” Gracie smiled as she studied the skyline around her. The sky was so clear and blue that Gracie was starting to relax a little as she talked to her friend. “Thanks for listening to me, I feel better now.”

  “I'm always here for you, Gracie. I hope you know that.” Addison had actually grown close to her as she had dated Steven. “I think all of Steven’s girlfriends had a special place in their hearts for Steven’s baby sister. You were always very entertaining, dancing around like a little ballerina and spouting off about your fairy tales.”

  “How old are you?” Gracie never thought much about their age differences.

  “Thirty-four,” Addison opened the door, and they walked inside the apartment as Dylan looked up at them. “I met Dylan when I was dating your brother. He used to be one of your brother’s friends, too. Knew every one of the guys Steven set you up with.”

  “You told him about those?” Gracie glanced at Dylan. “How many friends does Steven have, Dylan?”

  “I wish I could remember, Gracie.” He looked at her. “I wondered if you would remember me from when I hung out with him.”

  “Sorry to disappoint you. I guess I should go and see how much damage they've caused.” Gracie started to walk to the door when she heard Dylan say something else to her.

  “I thought you would be going out with Jackson by now.” Dylan grimaced at the look that Gracie shot him.

  “Why would I be going out with Jackson?” Gracie looked nervous as she waited for his answer.

  “Jackson and I are still close which I have recently informed Addison.” Dylan laughed at her face. “Between him and Addison I could probably write your biography.”

  “That’s reassuring,” Gracie thanked them and left to drive back down to Kim’s house, pulling up behind her parents’ car. Getting out, she wasn’t sure if she wanted to go back into the house, but when she did Gracie looked around her in shock as Paige, Janet, and Kim were administrating first aid to Steven and Jackson.

  Janet noticed the look that Gracie had shot to the both of them and while not saying a word; Gracie walked to the back to retrieve Bea. Bea glanced at her uncle and Jackson and started crying before her mother told them all good-bye before leaving.

  Paige laughed at them as they both watched Gracie leave. “You two had better figure this out because right now Gracie means more to me than either of one you knuckle heads.”

  Steven looked over at Jackson while Jackson glared over at him. “You're such a drib, Steven.” He stood before Kim could throw any more alcohol on his cuts. He jumped in his car and started driving.

  Steven watched as his family glared at him. “I get it. I promise to leave them alone.”

  “Wow.” Paige had watched as he talked. “Gracie’s got your number, buddy. You just told another lie.”

  “And you are judging me.” Steven looked at his wife wondering what made her think that he was lying.

  “You made no eye contact when you made that promise.” Paige glared at him. “Gracie isn't a child, and if Jackson is her ‘Prince Charming’, then you best not get in between it. Do you understand?”

  Steven looked her in the eye. “I promise.”

  “That’s better,” Paige kissed him on the forehead. “And I'm holding you to that promise.”

  Kim watched in amusement as Paige worked on Steven. “She has to be the perfect match for him.” She whispered to Robert while they observed. “Where do you think Jackson went off to?”

  “I know where I'd go if I was Jackson.” He smiled as he watched the amusement cross his wife’s eyes. “So is everything settled here?”

  Steven looked at all of them. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what has come over me in the past couple of months.”

  “Maybe you’re feeling guilty about the way you treated her when she was little.” Kim looked apologetically at her p
arents. “Did you that Steven resented Gracie from the day she was born?”

  Chandler and Janet looked at him strangely after Kim had mentioned resentment. “Resentment?” Chandler asked his son in a tone none of his children had heard. “I expected some jealously or embarrassment, but why resentment?”

  “Because everybody fell in love with that precious little baby who kept taking the attention away from Kim and me.” Steven looked at Kim sternly for even bringing it up. “Even the girls I dated fell for her.”

  Kim laughed. “Excuse me, Steven, but I was one of those people that fell in love with her. I'm fixing to go into a sermon if you keep it up.”

  “Spare me.” Steven stood and looked at Paige questionably. “Are you coming home with me?”

  “I actually think I want to hear this sermon. Sit down, Steven.” Paige told him. “Maybe it’s time you heard all about yourself.”

  ~

  Jackson knocked on Gracie’s apartment door, and Bea opened it with shock and excitement before Gracie could get to the door. She walked away as she saw who it was. “I bought you another movie, Princess.” Jackson told her while he studied Gracie. “Can you watch this in your bedroom while I talk with your mother?”

  Bea took the movie as she looked over at Gracie, who nodded to her. Gracie sat at the table after Bea shut her door. She looked over at Jackson, who had walked over to the table and sat down across from her.

  “I didn’t start it.” Jackson said as he rubbed his arm. “I tried to avoid him, but he came outside to me.”

  “What exactly do you want me to say?” Gracie looked down at her hands. “I hate being in the middle of anything.”

  “Steven and I are both at fault for that. The only difference is that I’m sorry.” He frowned as she continued to study her hands. “Gracie, please look at me.”

  Gracie looked up, and he could see the hurt in her eyes. He had seen that look too often since Bea was born. “What are you doing here, Jackson?”

  “I wanted to make sure that you were okay.” Jackson stood and walked behind her to massage her temples. “I also see the headache you're getting.”

  She let him work his magic on her headache. It had always worked better than the pills. “Thank you, that feels great.” Gracie frowned before he sat back down.

  He noticed that she had her bills out of the table and glanced at the calculator tape. He frowned when he saw more figures in red than in black. “Trouble with your finances again?”

  Gracie looked at him angrily as she put the bills up. “You didn’t come over to talk about my finances.” She turned the calculator off and tore the tape as Jackson stood up beside her. He hugged her to him.

  “Why don’t we give us a chance?” Jackson kissed her before she could answer.

  She pulled away from him, looking into his eyes. “I told you why.” Gracie tried to wiggle out of his arms as he laughed at her.

  “Did you? That sounded like a cop out.” He bent down and this time Gracie kissed him back before she realized it.

  “Dang it, Jackson,” she gasped as she pulled away again. “I told you we had to stop kissing like that.” This time she succeeded in leaving his hug. “We can’t do this.”

  “I can’t find a reason not to.” Jackson sat back down at the table. “I know you feel something, or you wouldn’t kiss me back.”

  “I. . .” Gracie looked at Bea’s door. “I can’t get involved with you.”

  “And you still haven’t given me a good reason why.” Jackson moved his neck around in a circle when he felt tension starting to mount. “Up until now, I’ve loved you without saying a word.”

  “But you feel a need to say it now.” Gracie let a sigh of exasperation. “Don’t do this to us.”

  “We need to know.” He grew pensive as he watched her. “What is your hang up about it?”

  “You're the only real father figure that Bea has had. If we get involved and it doesn’t work out, what exactly is that going to do for Bea?” Gracie asked reaching for a bottle of Excedrin. “This will lead to more heartbreak than I can deal with.”

  Jackson knew that Gracie was making sense as he turned to look at Bea’s door. “But what if it does work out, and Bea has a stronger influence?”

  Gracie shook her head. “I would rather just be your friend, Jackson. It’s safer.”

  “And you always play it safe.” Jackson looked at her again watching as she finally took the pills that were in her hand. “Fine, I'll be a friend.” He stood and walked back over to her. “But not before this,” he took the glass that Gracie was holding and placed it on the counter. He focused on her face and bent down to her lips letting go of all the passion he felt for her in that one kiss. He felt it when she started to respond to him. He slowed the kiss down and deepened it at the same time while he backed them into the counter. Neither one of them tried to pull away from the other; at least not until Gracie came back to her senses.

  “Jackson.” She mumbled not being able to break free from him as the kiss continued. She lifted her arms and instead of pushing him away she brought him closer to her. “We can’t do this.” She finally pushed away from him as they stared into each other’s eyes.

  “Your eyes almost look smoky.” Jackson told her as he tried to compose himself. “Now we can just be friends.” He watched her with amusement.

  “If you want to be,” Gracie started pulling food from the cabinets to fix supper for Bea. “Will you be staying for supper?”

  “Are you inviting me?” Jackson sat down at the table.

  “You’re already here.” Gracie stared at him. She was trying very hard to get that kiss out of her mind. She watched as Bea’s door opened and her daughter started dancing towards them. Gracie smiled at the way Jackson was playing into her narrative of the movie she had just watched.

  While they ate, Gracie didn't say anything as she listened to Bea control the conversation at the table. She smiled at Jackson when he turned to look at her while continuing to answer Bea’s questions.

  “Are you coming over to Kim’s house on Friday night?” Bea asked after she finished talking about the movie.

  “What’s going on Friday?” Jackson asked as he looked over at Gracie, who mumbled that she had a date again. “Even after he pulled that stunt today?”

  “I promised before he pulled that stunt, and I always do what I promise.” Gracie started clearing the table, and Jackson helped her. “Besides he said this would be the last one.”

  “I hope so.” Jackson looked at the boxes that were lined up against the wall. “We could go ahead and move some of those boxes over to the house.”

  “We can?” Gracie looked around her. “I have to rent a truck, and it'd be cheaper if I move everything at once.”

  “I know someone with a trailer, and you won’t have to spend a dime.” Jackson smiled at her.

  “That sounds like a good plan,” Gracie was relieved.

  Chapter 7

  Addison looked up when Gracie walked over to her desk with a manuscript in her hands. “This one is a keeper.” She placed it down and told Addison to send the agent an offer. “I couldn’t stop reading it. I even took it home with me.”

  “Really?” Addison looked at the stack of papers that was rubber banded together. “I thought we were going through a dry spell.”

  “Loved it. Mr. Foster wants to offer $300,000 advance plus royalties.” Gracie started to walk away from her.

  “Gracie?” Addison stopped her. “Steven called and wants to know if you're still on for tomorrow night? He has promised to grovel if he needs to.”

  Gracie turned around, shaking her head as she smiled at Addison. “As much as I would absolutely love to see him grovel, I think that I'll just let him stew for a little while.” Gracie was feeling mischievous. She had already informed Addison in on everything except Jackson’s visit to her apartment. “I hope this one is different.”

  “Somehow I think you left out a part of your story, but I'm willing to wait.�
�� Addison laughed as she started to type out of the rough draft of the contract for Gracie to approve. “How come you haven’t written a book yet?”

  “When do I have time?” Gracie started walking again. “Besides, who would publish it?”

  Addison looked back at her computer. She knew that her friend had a way with words, and Gracie had always been able to make up some good stories.

  Gracie was feeling good on the way to her mom’s house to pick up her daughter. “Hey, Princess,” Gracie twirled Bea around when she walked into the living room. “How was school today?”

  “It was great.” Bea smiled back at her mom. “But boys can be mean.”

  Gracie raised her eyes. “What are you talking about?”

  “Austin Colby pulled my pony tail.” Bea watched the amusement in her mother’s eyes.

  “He likes you.” Gracie looked around for her own mother and walked to the kitchen where one would always be able to find her. “Where’s the beast?”

  “Are you talking about Jackson?” Janet asked curiously before Gracie started laughing at her.

  “No, the puppy; Bea finally named it Beast after she watched The Beauty and the Beast.” Gracie was still laughing. “Why would I want to know where Jackson is?”

  “I've no idea.” Janet answered. “I know where he is though.”

  “And I would want to know this why?” Gracie picked out a piece of carrot.

  “Because he's at your apartment with his friend and the trailer.” Janet saw the look on Gracie’s face.

  “Funny, Mom.” Gracie stopped smiling. “I don’t remember asking him to do that tonight. I guess we should go then.”

  “What made you so happy tonight?” Janet had noticed her daughter’s expression.

  “We signed a new author today.” Gracie smiled happily as she answered. “I guess I'll see you tomorrow then.” She had Bea tell her grandmother bye, and Gracie drove over to the apartment where she saw Jackson bring down a load of boxes and place them on the trailer. She propped against her car and looked over at him curiously before Bea got out and looked around. “How did you get into my apartment?” Gracie asked after he stacked the boxes neatly and tied them down.