Chapter 7: Just Friends? PT 2

Grace lets out a huge sigh of relief as she finishes her math homework. She checks her clock - 6:30 PM. She started her homework an hour ago.

There are a few classes that she already has homework in - Nutrition, Math, and English, but most of it is easy for her.

Grace pulls out her book for English and begins reading. Within a few paragraphs she finds something very appealing about it.

()()()

"She seems really stressed out with the baby and everything, and maybe Ricky too. But I know she'll be fine, she just needs to-" George looks up to see Kathleen playing around with her food. He smiles and leans in closer towards the table, looking right into her eyes, "Sorry, I've been talking so much Amy and the baby. I got carried away."

Kathleen looks up and smiles, "No, no, you're fine. I'm happy that you and Amy are talking."

George raises an eyebrow at her, "Something wrong? Rough day?"

"In some ways," Kathleen sighs, "I suppose so."

George smiles, "I know what will cheer you up. Some dessert!" Just then the waiter comes by and he orders a chocolate cake for the two of them. He keeps his eyes on Kathleen but he's holding tightly to something in his pocket.

()()()

Grace becomes so interested in the book that she almost doesn't hear the sound of the door open.

"Gwace!"

Grace closes her book, reminding herself that she ended on chapter two, "Come in Tom!"

Tom steps inside Grace's room and smiles.

Grace smiles back, "How was work Tom?"

"Work. Was. Good." Tom takes a seat on her bed, "A LE-tter came in the mail To-day."

Grace looks confused, "Okay? A letter for who?"

Tom shrugs, "For. All. Of. Us. From JA-cob."

Grace's eyes widen, "Jacob? What does it say?"

Tom hands her the letter.

"Oh, you didn't open it. Should I?" Grace asks. Tom shrugs again, "MOM will. want to see it."

"Mom's on a date with George tonight." Grace still feels weird about it, but for some reason she's more concerned with the letter. Why would he write us?

"So. We. Wait."

Grace sighs, "Fine. We'll wait. We can read it together then."

Tom nods, a satisfied smile on his face, "Gwace?"

"Yeah?" Grace places the letter on her desk.

"I miss TA-mmy."

Grace looks shocked, "Tom! Tammy is married."

Tom smirks, "But she. TE-xted me."

Grace shakes her head, "Tom it doesn't matter if she texted you. She's married!"

"Mom got. MA-rried twice."

Grace rolls her eyes, "Tom, do you really want to be with someone who's married right now? Even if she gets a divorce, what about how her husband will feel?"

Tom sighs, "I just miss TA-mmy."

"Tom there are other women out there though. Maybe God has someone else for you."

"Gwace? Do. You. Miss. Jack?"

Grace pauses for a moment, "He will certainly always have a place in my heart Tom. But Jack doesn't make me love God more. Jack doesn't make me want to be a better woman...not anymore at least."

"But. Nick. Does?"

Grace smiles, "Yes, I guess Nick does. Come on, let's order some pizza. I haven't even eaten dinner yet."

Tom smiles, "O-Kay."

()()()

Kathleen can't help but think that dessert is good, but she still feels this sinking feeling in her stomach. Lord, what is this? She knows that she shouldn't be with George, but she doesn't know how to handle it.

"Kathleen...now that dessert is over, I have something I want to ask you."

Kathleen feels like the room is spinning as George pulls out a ring.

"George-"

But George is in a daze. He feels like he's on cloud nine, "Will you marry me? I know our first time around didn't work out, but I promise to be the best man to you that I can be."

Kathleen is silent. She opens her mouth and then she closes it. Oh Lord...give me strength.

She can feel her eyes watering.

"I hope tears are a good thing," George lets out a nervous chuckle.

Kathleen stares at the table as a single tear falls from her eye and onto her plate, "George...I-I can't. I'm sorry." She gets up and runs out of the restaurant, with tears in her eyes.

()()()

Grace and Tom are eating pizza, the letter still on her mind.

"Hey Tom! Turn on the TV. I want to see what's on."

Tom turns on the TV and flips through the channels with the remote.

"Ooh! Stop right there. I just remembered this is the new show about wedding dresses!" Grace squeals.

Tom rolls his eyes but they sit together and watch it.

"We'll be right back after this commercial break!" one of the ladies on the screen says.

Grace grabs another slice of pizza as the commercial comes on.

"So if you feel a call for the great unknown, join TheWorldWillHear organization this summer in South Africa. Watch the sick healed, the lame speak, and have an experience with God like never before."

()()()

Kathleen barely makes it to the car when George grabs her arm, "Kathleen! What's going on?"

"I'm sorry George," she cries, "I just...I can't okay?"

"What's this all about? I thought we were happy. Just tell me what's going on!"

"Nothing's going on!" she shouts.

"All of the sudden you don't want to get married?" George looks at her with a pained expression on his face.

Kathleen looks down on the ground, "George...you're an amazing guy. I've always believed that. But I can't do this."

"Can you at least tell me why?"

"George I have a family to take care of-"

George takes his hands in hers, "Then we do it together. I know how much you love Grace and Tom. I love Amy and Ashley the same way you love your kids."

Kathleen sighs, "That's not it George...not all of it."

"Then what?"

"My daughter looks up to me. I need to set an example for her...I-I can't be with a man who doesn't love Jesus George. I'm sorry."

George puts his hands in his pocket, "Kathleen...I know you're a Christian. And you know that I'm not. If this is about going to church, then fine I'll go to church. Is that what you want?"

"George it's not about going to church for me anymore...we were young and I was careless when I first married you. My mother made me so angry, I just wanted to be free. But we're older now, and my daughter is counting on me to be an example. If I marry you, what am I saying to her?"

"You're saying to her that it's good to marry someone you love! I love you Kathleen…"

Kathleen freezes. Oh Lord...what do I do?

"Kathleen, how about this? I'll give you a week to make a decision. Let's meet up next week and talk about it then, okay?"

George opens the car door for Kathleen and she gets inside. He walks away with his head down and his hands in his pocket. This isn't what he expected.

A/N: I really enjoy writing these chapters. I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter.