I do own Jack. Elise Polk is Grace's mother (I didn't know her first name so I just picked one). In this particular story Grace's father had passed away (you'll learn that in a few chapters from now)
Grace was on the phone talking to Joan.
"GOD Jack is such an idiot," Grace told Joan.
Grace was not one to pull punches. She always told it like it was. She didn't care what anyone else thought.
"I like him," Joan said in between stuffing her face.
"You like Jack? How can you like him?"
"He's… he's funny and he cares—okay granted he can be a little aggressive at times but only when he doesn't know what else to do"
"Oh I have some ideas of what he can do," Grace said, "and are you eating?"
Joan swallowed her food and then spoke on.
"So you should tell him your ideas. It might help him"
"I think I will," Grace said, "and are you eating?"
"Yes," Joan said, "I was eating a bagel"
Grace raised an eyebrow.
"You don't even like bagels"
"Well I do now," Joan said, "Grace, can I tell you a secret?"
"Sure"
"I'm pregnant," Joan finally said
Grace nearly chocked on her water.
"Who's the father?"
"Well that's complicated," Joan explained
"Complicated how Giradi," Grace asked.
"Well," Joan began, "you see-"
"Grace?"
"I have to go now," Grace said, "My mom's home. I'll call you later"
Elise Polk came into her daughter's room.
"Hi honey," she said
"Hey mom"
"Listen… your birthday's coming up and I was wondering what you wanted. You're going to be sixteen so maybe a car?"
Grace shook her head.
"All I want," she said, "is for you to stop drinking"
Elise nodded, kissed her daughter's forehead and got on the phone. Twenty minutes later it was all arranged. Elise would be going to a 30 day inpatient rehab program. Grace would stay at the Giradi's while she was gone.
"I love you mom," Grace said
