Journey 0f Grace (Journey 0f Love Book 1) Page 8

  Then one day in early June, I was halfway through my shift at the thrift store in Newport when the doorbell chimed at about two o’clock that afternoon. I thought nothing of it and crossed the sales floor to go greet whatever customer had come through the door.

  “Welcome. Have a look around and let me know if you need anything.”

  “Yes, I need something,” the man replied, then approached me. I stopped and turned my attention to him. He looked oddly familiar, yet I couldn’t place him. He continued. “I was in here a while back. I gave you my number and you never called me. I need to know why.”

  Suddenly, it clicked. “Ahh, now I remember. The couch guy who left his number on the receipt. How is the couch?”

  “It’s great. This might be a little forward, but can we go on a date sometime?”

  I didn’t reply. I just stood there in disbelief. I hadn’t been interested in anyone since Owen, and I wasn’t really that interested in this guy, even though he was attractive.

  He adjusted his feet and gave me a confused look. “Umm . . . never mind.”

  Touching my forehead, I tried to shake the stupid out of my head. “It’s just that—”

  “Grace is free tonight, Brad. Pick her up at seven?” Melinda’s words interrupted our conversation.

  He laughed and raised an eyebrow as he looked at her. “I kind of want her to desire a date with me. I’m not really into arranged dating.”

  I laughed. That’s a good sign. He can make me laugh, I thought as I saw Melinda head upstairs. I needed to laugh more, which is why I said to Brad, “Seven works for me.”

  “Great. See you then!”

  We exchanged information and he left the store. I swiftly went up the stairs to the women’s clothing racks, where I found Melinda laughing as she arranged blouses on a rack.

  “You!” I said, pointing my finger at her as I smiled.

  “Oh, please. You need to get out there. Don’t think I don’t see you every time someone buys a new little bike for their kid. You’re tearing up and crying in the women’s bathroom because you want the family, the husband, the kids. You’re officially divorced now, Grace. It’s time you get out there and start shopping for a husband. You’re not getting any younger.”

  “And couch guy is the one?”

  She shrugged. “Can’t say, but it’s a start.”

  Tapping my chin, I considered the notion of couch guy someday being the dad of my babies. “I don’t see him being the father of my future children, Melinda.”

  She laughed and tossed a blouse in my face. “Just have some fun!”

  Chapter 32

  CAREFULLY APPLYING MASCARA AS I leaned forward in the mirror, I thought of the evening ahead with Brad. I knew Melinda was right about my getting out there, but every time I tried to think of this date tonight, I felt for some silly reason that I was betraying Owen. That wasn’t really possible though. I hadn’t seen him in months, hadn’t heard his ‘I’m available and interested’ voicemail in weeks. I had purposely driven him away, and yet here I was, thinking of him.

  A knock came on the post of the doorway into my bathroom. I turned my head and saw my mother standing there, looking at me.

  “You look amazing.” Her eyes smiled with her lips as she entered, coming closer to me as I stood in front of the mirror.

  “Oh, Mom. You’re only saying that because I’m your daughter.”

  “No, dear, I’m not. You really look grown up. I’ve been watching you over this last year and a half, and I’ve seen you become a woman.”

  I laughed sarcastically. “I’ve been grown up for a while now, Mom.”

  “Sure, but you’ve acted grown up for only a while now. No offense.”

  My irritation grew as I was confused over what she was even doing out in my bathroom. “Okay. Do you need something or . . . ? I’m sorry. Just trying to get ready before my date shows up.”

  Waving her hand through the air, she said, “Yes, of course. Sorry. Two things. Your brother said he’s bringing a piano over tomorrow morning to replace the one we got rid of.”

  “Oh! That’s so neat!” A grin broke out on my face as I felt so thankful for having my brother truly back in my life. He had really made a change in his life and now was on course in the right direction. “What’s the other thing?”

  She hesitated.

  “What, Mom?”

  She nodded. “I’m taking your father in to see Dr. Brown right now. He’s not feeling too well. But don’t worry about it, Grace.”

  “Wait. What?” Suddenly, I felt flustered and inclined to call Brad and cancel the date. As I reached for my purse on the counter of the bathroom, my mom grabbed my hand and stopped me.

  “Grace, stop. It’s okay. Just going to run a few tests. He’s been feeling strange today. I merely wanted to let you be aware and ask you to pray for him.”

  “All right, if you insist, I will still go out with Brad. But I’ll be thinking about Dad and you the whole time. And I will pray for him.”

  Smiling, she came closer and hugged me. “Thank you.”

  As she started to cry, confusion swirled my thoughts. “What’s going on, Mom? You said it was just a few tests.”

  Pulling away from our embrace, she grabbed a tissue from the box on the counter and dabbed her eyes. “No, it is. Lately, I’ve just been feeling really emotional. Everything going on with Elly. Then James came over and split firewood for Bethany’s campfire with the kids coming up. He did it for your father since he wasn’t feeling too good. The other day, I saw your niece Ester reading a third-grade level book.” Pausing, my mom looked at me and shook her head. “I don’t know. I feel like all of you kids are all grown up and have your own lives while at the same time, everything’s a mess in everybody’s life. I feel your father and I are too old to be useful.”

  Finishing my mascara, I set it down and turned to her. I gave her a hug. “You are getting older, and your kids are figuring out this thing called life, but we will always need you. Even if it’s not said a whole lot, I know each of us loves you and Dad. And Mom? I love you so much.”

  Smiling, but tears coming down my mother’s cheeks, she said softly, “I love you too, Grace.”

  Releasing from our hug, my mom looked me over. “Have a good time tonight. He’s going to love you, and if he doesn’t, he’s crazy.”

  As she left the bathroom, my phone buzzed with a notification from Brad. He let me know he was parked outside, waiting. I replied and told him to give me a couple more minutes and I’d be out.

  After a few deep breaths, I picked up my lip liner and began to apply it. I looked into the mirror and thought of my brother bringing a replacement piano over tomorrow morning. That would mean I’d be able to play piano again, something I often had longed for since I had moved back. Then I thought of my father getting tests done. It didn’t sit well that he was going to see his doctor at seven o’clock at night, but I was thankful I was at least informed about it. Staying positive about my father and Elly would be difficult, but I didn’t see any other way I could keep my sanity.

  Chapter 33

  DINNER WITH BRAD WENT OKAY, but I didn’t want the evening to end. It wasn’t because I wanted to spend more time with him, but instead, I worried about my dad and didn’t want to go home until I heard something. Neither he nor Mother had called or texted with any new information, and it had been two hours since my conversation with my mom. I became increasingly concerned.

  Brad pulled into the miniature golf course parking lot that Owen had taken me to on our first date. I had recommended the idea since I’d had so much fun with Owen when we had come here.

  Brad pulled into a parking stall in the lot and shut off the car. He looked at me and let out a sigh before proceeding. “All right. We’re here. You sure you want to play miniature golf? You seem kind of upset.”

  “Seem?” I replied, annoyed. I had explained what was going on with my father to him earlier, plus, when I prayed for our dinner, I specifically mentioned t
he test results. He made me feel like he wasn’t paying attention or not caring. Either one wasn’t good.

  “Let me just take you home, Grace. This is dumb. You’re obviously upset about your dad.” He turned forward and then turned the key over. My worry soared as I envisioned myself going home. I didn’t want to go.

  “Please, let’s stay. I really don’t want to go home right now.”

  “Okay. Fine.” He shut the car off again and we got out.

  After getting our clubs and balls, we started to play. Surprisingly, it was kind of fun, definitely more fun than the dinner we had shared earlier.

  Halfway through hole eight, there was a windmill with a tunnel going through it that blocked my path. I was roughly nine feet from the tunnel and windmill. When I had visited the course with Owen, I made a hole in one. This time, I struggled.

  Lining up, I swung and hit the ball for the sixth time.

  It hit the windmill and rolled back toward me, only making me a few inches closer to the tunnel.

  With Brad’s ball already near the hole on the other side, it was my turn yet again.

  I swung and hit the windmill again.

  “You gotta aim for the tunnel.”

  “Oh, is that what I’m supposed to do? Wow. I had no idea.”

  Suddenly, someone started to laugh from the hole behind us. I turned to see who I needed to glare at but was caught off guard to see Owen.

  “Owen?” I said.

  He smiled as he walked up to me. “I knew it was beginner’s luck when you made that hole in one.”

  Laughing, I said, “Oh, shut it.”

  My eyes looked past Owen and over at the girl who was with him. She had a pink dress on that barely covered her hindquarters. My eyes met hers for a second, and her curious expression became blank and she looked away, pretending not to notice us. Soon enough, Brad was up along my side and draping an arm over my shoulder as if we were dating or something. I wanted to shrug his arm off me but I didn’t.

  “I’m Brad,” he said, sticking a hand out.

  Owen shook his hand. “Owen.”

  It wasn’t wise to say, but there was no self-control in me in the moment as I stared up at Owen. Speaking loudly to cover up the sound of my heart beating wildly at the nearness of him, I said, “You sure you don’t want to punch him?”

  “Umm . . . sorry. I’ll let you get back to it.” He turned around and headed back over to his date.

  Watching Owen walk back over to that other woman made me mad. I didn’t want him dating her. I knew it didn’t make any sense to feel that way since I’d ignored his calls and had been pushing him away since the park, but it didn’t sit well within me to see another woman with him.

  Brad kissed my cheek right then, and I proceeded to promptly shove him off me. “What are you doing? Don’t kiss me.”

  My phone suddenly rang.

  It was Bethany.

  She knew about the date so I immediately worried why she had decided to call. Did Elly’s liver fail? Was this it for her firstborn?

  “What’s going on?” I asked as I walked away from Brad, answering the phone.

  “Dad’s going into surgery. You have to get down here.”

  Chapter 34

  BRAD GAVE ME A RIDE to Deaconess Hospital. His offer only came after I started bawling on the course and Owen offered to give me a ride first. I was confident that Brad only gave me a ride as some sort of pride thing against Owen. I didn’t care why he did it. I was thankful regardless. The idea of sitting in a car with Owen and his date to go see my dad was revolting. On the car ride down to the hospital, I didn’t shed a tear about my dad. I was in shock. The guy I never thought would die was now fighting for his life on the operating table.

  Brad pulled his car up to the hospital main entrance and even tried to offer to walk me inside.

  “That’s okay. Thanks for the ride. Er, and date.”

  He nodded and raised a hand. “Take care. I’ll call you.”

  As I got out of the car, I hoped he only said that as a formality. We didn’t click at all, at least not in my mind. Walking in through the sliding doors, I went right up to the receptionist desk and inquired about where my father was located.

  “You’ll need to head to the bank of elevators right down here.” She stood up and pointed as she continued. “Go up to the third floor and hang your first left. You’ll have to wait there in the waiting room for him to come out of surgery.”

  “Grace!” My sister’s voice rang across the long lobby of the hospital.

  We ran to each other and linked together like a couple of Lego pieces snapping into place. It was then that the tears and emotions broke free. Letting it all out, I cried into her shoulder and she cried into mine. I hated every part of this situation.

  “He’s going to be okay, Sis.” Her words were shaky. I wasn’t sure she even believed them when she said them. Regardless, they helped me.

  “Where’s James?”

  “We aren’t calling him.”

  “Good idea. How’s Mom?”

  “She’s a wreck.”

  “Mark, kids?”

  “Mark’s home with the kids. Thank the Lord he’s off today. Mom could barely speak when she called me.”

  My eyes drifted away. I felt slighted by the fact that I hadn’t been phoned first, but I wasn’t going to say anything.

  Beth touched my arm, reading me like she always could. “She was going to call you, Grace, but she didn’t want to ruin your date. She still puts us before herself, even when it comes to something serious.”

  My heart warmed a little knowing that, but it was still broken to pieces. “I want to see her, to be with her. Let’s get up there.”

  We began walking toward the bank of elevators.

  “How’s Elly?”

  “As well as can be expected, I guess. How was your date?”

  Owen’s face flashed in my mind. Pushing him away, I thought of Brad and the evening together that was the actual date. “It wasn’t a match.”

  “Mom said he was pretty cute.”

  I shrugged. “Doesn’t make chemistry happen just because someone is cute. I did see Owen there, though.”

  “What? Really? How’d that go? Do you still like him? Sorry I’m asking so much, but anything to keep my mind off Dad right now is helpful.”

  Nodding as we arrived at the elevators, I reached out and pushed the Call button. “It doesn’t really matter how I feel about him. He was on a date.”

  Pulling my shoulder, Bethany lowered her eyes as she looked at me. “It doesn’t matter? If you like him, you have to go after him.”

  My eyes turned to the elevator as it opened. “I don’t have time to chase boys. I have more important things to care about in life.”

  Chapter 35

  I WAS BEGINNING TO NOD off in my chair in the waiting room as the eleven o’clock hour approached. It had been two hours and he was still being operated on. A hand found my shoulder, jolting me out of the bobbing session. Glancing up to see who had arrived, I jumped.

  It was Owen.

  I leapt to my feet.

  “What are you doing here?” My surprised voice was louder than I intended it to be, causing Bethany, who was on the phone across the waiting room, to glance over for a second then turn back around.

  “I figured you could use this.” He lifted a duffel bag he was holding at his side. Extending his hand, he gave it to me.

  “Where is your girlfriend?”

  “Um . . . I dropped off my cousin at home before I went to get all of that.”

  My face got hot as I turned red as a tomato. “Oh. Sorry.” Sitting back down in the chair, I unzipped it. Inside, I found an assortment of different candies, a blanket, a neck pillow, and even a box of tissues. Peering up at Owen, my eyes watered as my heart melted. “What is this?”

  “Emergency room survival kit.”

  “Thank you.” My words were faint, gentle as I felt overwhelmed by his kindness.

  “You’re
welcome.” Rubbing his neck, he continued. “I spent some time in waiting rooms a while back with my Grandpa Jack, and I knew something like this would’ve been awesome.”

  Setting the bag in the seat next to me, I stood up and came closer to Owen and gave him a hug before he could react. Breathing in his familiar comforting scent, I didn’t care about his date. I didn’t care about his punching Harvey. What I did care about was the fact that he was there at the hospital. He had showed up. Overwhelmed with joy to have him there, I leaned in to kiss him.

  But he pulled his head away, his arms letting go of me.

  “I’m sorry.” He took a step back. “I didn’t mean to insinuate.”

  Swallowing hard on the truth, I shook my head. “Wait. What? You had pity for me? That’s what this is?”

  Raising a hand, he shook his head as he tried to explain. “No. It’s not like that. I know how these places are and I thought I could be helpful.”

  I couldn’t control my feelings. I was upset he had rejected me, and soon, anger replaced my joy. I glared away from him. “Okay. Thanks for being helpful I guess.”

  Turning around, I felt mortified and walked toward my sister across the room. As I was about to reach Bethany, she hurried off the phone. Stealing a look over my shoulder, I saw Owen leaving and relief washed over me at his exit.

  “What was that about?” my sister asked, eyes on him over my shoulder.

  “He brought me a pity bag full of stuff. It’s probably his way of saying goodbye? Who knows?” Trying to push Owen out of the conversation, I noticed Bethany’s eyes were moist. She had been crying. “Who was that on the phone? Is everything okay?”

  “Mark.” Biting her lip, Bethany continued. “This isn’t the place nor time to say anything, but just pray for the two of us. Elly’s liver issues are putting a real strain on our marriage and . . . it’s hard. It’s extremely difficult when someone you love with your whole heart, whom you’re supposed to protect and love and shelter, could possibly die and there is nothing you can do. Nothing except trust doctors who can’t even tell me why my little girl is sick!”