~A Once and Again Series~
Where Do We Go From Here?
Chapter 17//A Little Fun
*
*
*
Grace picked up her pencil again, and began writing:
Dear Coop,
What I have to say to you is hard. But it's necessary. See, I need to tell you that I'm pregnant...
Grace sighed. This was hard. She had really cared for Coop, but she had just never quite loved him like she loved Eli. But after finding out Eli had cheating on her, Grace had tried to shut out all feelings for Eli... and she had turned to Coop. Maybe that had been a mistake to lead him on, when she knew she hadn't really loved him... but Grace had done it anyways. Besides, Coop was a great guy, and Grace had liked to see Eli hurting as bad as she had.
* * *
[[[[Start of memory flashback....]]]]
"So are you coming to the show?" Eli asked over breakfast on Friday.
Grace glanced up, and gave a distracted nod. She was busy looking over the maps of the college campus she, Rick, and Jessie were going to visit that day.
"Cause, it's really important you be there," Eli said, thinking of Deanna. Deanna saying, 'Will your girlfriend be there?'... and 'Try to get her to stay home'. If Grace wasn't there, then Deanna would think Eli was giving her the go-ahead to... do, well, it was pretty clear what Deanna wanted from him.
"I'll be there," Grace said, not looking up from the maps scattered along the table. Rick came into the room, and started talking to Grace about places to visit, and Eli left the room.
He was in his room, smoking a cigarette when a knock came. Eli quickly stubbed out the cigarette... no one knew he smoked. He hoped the open window hid the smell of the smoke and called out, "Come in."
Grace entered. "I'm leaving in a few," She told him.
"Oh," Eli said, looking at her.
Grace moved across the room, and did what Eli feared she was going to do... kiss him. Grace immediately pulled away. "You were smoking," She said, her voice dreary.
Eli sighed, "Just one."
"Uh huh," Grace said, trying not to show her disappointment. She looked at him curiously, "Since when do you smoke?"
"Uh," Eli tried to think of a lie, but just ending up shrugging it off.
Grace forced a smile, "Well, I'll see you later then, okay?" She moved to kiss him, but then thought the better of it, and turned away. She walked to the door.
"Have fun," Eli called after her.
Grace gave him a small nod and closed the door behind her.
* * * (still memory flashback)* * *
"Oh, Dad!" Jessie cried. "Can we stop?"
Grace looked out the window, seeing nothing but a line of stores.
"Sure," Rick said cheerfully. He pulled the car to the curb. "Where did you want to go?"
"Oh, that store a bit back... oh, and look at the shirt in that store!" Jessie cried eagerly as she surveyed the buildings.
Grace folded her arms and looked pointedly at her watch. Rick looked over at her in the passenger's seat. "Is it okay with you, Grace?"
They had already visited the campus, and that took an hour longer than Grace thought it would, and then they spent an hour at dinner, and now... Grace knew if they didn't leave now, they'd miss the band's gig. Grace conveyed her thoughts in words, "Well... I wanted to get back for Eli's gig."
Jessie rolled her eyes, looking at Grace from the backseat. "You go to their EVERY gig... I think you can miss one!"
Grace thought it over.
"Grace?" Rick asked when she was silent. "We can head home now if you want..."
Grace looked over at Rick, and then back at Jessie who looked at her pleadingly. "No, Jessie's right," Grace said, actually smiling. "I do have some Christmas money saved up. And I need a little fun."
Eli wouldn't mind if she missed his gig, right? It was just this one time.
* * * (still memory flashback)* * *
"Hi Eli," Deanna said, coming up to him and Coop. The other two guys of the band were out front, watching the other acts.
"How'd you get back here?" Eli asked, and Deanna just rolled her eyes. Eli looked over her... seeing her skin-tight tiny tank top, and itty bitty skirt... He guessed that no guy would turn down her request. And it wasn't like there was much security here for this little club. It was mostly just 'Earl'... and Eli guessed Earl had been happy to comply with Deanna's wishes in that outfit.
"I'm going out front," Coop said with a not-so-sly wink at Eli. Eli cursed himself for ever telling Coop that lie that he liked Deanna.
"Watch for Grace, okay?" Eli asked as Coop departed. Coop nodded, leaving them alone in the small room.
"So... no girlfriend tonight?" Deanna asked, moving towards him.
"Uh, not yet," Eli said uncomfortably, "But she's coming..."
"Sure," Deanna said with a smile. "Sure she is."
Eli uncomfortably sifted on the couch as Deanna came and sat down next to him. She threw a leg over his own, and moved up against him. Eli looked at her green cat eyes, and swallowed nervously. Deanna moved in to kiss him.
"Wait," Eli said, holding up a hand. "I meant it when I said she's coming..."
"Oh," Deanna said, pulling away a little. She left her long toned leg thrown over his, though. She also still had that smoky seductive look in her eyes. "What she doesn't know, won't kill her. Eli... I'm not looking for a relationship. Just a little fun."
"Fun," Eli echoed.
Deanna smiled at him. "I think you need a little fun, Eli." Her hand reached out, playing with the buttons on his shirt. Eli looked down at her hand, unsure.
The door swung open, and Eli let out a sigh of relief. It was Todd, Mark, and Coop. They realized they had interrupted something good, and smiled knowingly at Eli and Deanna. Deanna slid herself off Eli.
"Uh, we're on next," Todd explained.
"Great," Eli said standing up. He went over and picked up his guitar. He stopped to glance in the mirror at himself, but instead all he saw was the reflection of Deanna sitting on the couch... waiting for him.
"Did Grace show up?" Eli asked Coop nervously.
Coop shook his head.
Eli closed his eyes briefly. 'Grace...' He thought with despair. 'I need you...'
* * * (still memory flashback)* * *
Eli played the last notes of the final song, and looked over the audience. They clapped, hollered and whistled for them. At any other time, Eli would have been thrilled. Their set had gone really good. Probably one of their best gigs yet... but Grace had never showed up.
Eli wondered if it was because of the smoking thing... or if it was because he didn't want to tell everyone about them and she did... or he wondered if it was because her life was changing, and she was thinking that maybe she didn't need him anymore. Grace was going to go to college in Madison... why would she still need him, when he was back in Chicago?
Deanna found them backstage after they finished.
"That was great!" She said enthusiastically. She pulled a bottle out of her bag and took a huge swallow before passing it to Eli. "Drink up, you deserve it!" She said.
Eli took the bottle of vodka, studied it, and then let the smooth liquid pass down his lips. "Hell!" He cried as he took another shot of the drink. He took a third immediately after.
Todd passed by, on his way to the van to load up their instruments. "Looks like Eli won't be driving," He said under his breath.
* * * (Still memory flashback)* * *
Rick, Jessie and Grace got back a little after eleven. They went their separate ways, and Grace went up to her room, where she changed her clothes. Then, just before twelve- when the house was silent, she snuck downstairs. She wanted to apologize to Eli about missing his show.
His room was empty though, and Grace sat down on his bed, deciding to wait for him to get back.
* * * (Still memory flashback)* * *
"You can drop us off here," Deanna called out from where she and Eli sat in the back with the instruments.
Todd pulled to the curb in front of the apartments Deanna had pointed out. She got out of the back, and Todd looked back at Eli curiously. "Aren't you getting out, too?"
Coop nudged Eli hard, "Dude... she totally wants you!"
Eli opened his eyes, "Yeah, she does.." He said with a huge grin.
"Then, go have some fun!" Mark put in from the front, "And she definitely looks like the type of girl who knows how to have FUN."
His friends edged him on, and Eli found himself clumsily getting out of the car. Deanna was waiting for him on the sidewalk. The van drove away, and Eli stood up a bit straighter, looking over at Deanna.
"We're almost there," Deanna assured him, and she began walking up the drive to the apartments.
Eli's upper body fell forward, and he rested his hands on his knees to keep himself upright.
"Eli?" Deanna asked, turning around to see he wasn't following her. "Wow, I guess you're drunker than I thought," She said, laughing.
Eli didn't answer her, only whispered, "She never showed."
"What?" Deanna asked loudly.
"Nothing," Eli said, regaining balance with his body, and standing upright. "Which apartment is yours?"
"The third one," Deanna said, pointing. "So, you are coming?"
Eli began walking with her. He found the top of the vodka bottle sticking out of her purse and he took it out, taking another swallow. "Yeah, but only to sleep, right...?"
They continued walking, and later Eli realized Deanna had never answered him.
* * * (still memory flashback)* * *
Grace opened her eyes, a slight fogginess not allowing her to realize where she was right away. Then it hit her... she was in Eli's room, and he had never showed up! Grace looked over at the clock, '8:03am'.... And she had spent the entire night in his room, where she had fallen asleep waiting for him.
Grace got up, sighing as she wondered why Eli hadn't come home. She opened the door carefully, and snuck back into the kitchen. It was a good thing she had changed into her pjs before coming down to Eli's room last night. Grace had barely gotten a few feet into the kitchen, when she ran into her mother.
"You're up early for a Saturday," Lily commented.
"Uh, yeah," Grace turned, opening the fridge. She pretended to be looking for something to eat.
"How about I make French toast?" Lily offered.
"That sounds good," Grace said, closing the fridge. "I'm going to take a shower."
Grace hurried out the room. She wondered where Eli had stayed last night, and if he was mad that she didn't come to his show... she'd have to apologize to him whenever he got home.
* * * (still memory flashback)* * *
Eli opened his eyes, the pounding in his head enhanced by the sound of... Eli opened his eyes, trying to detect what was making that horrible racket. He found his head doing a summersault as he looked around at a strange room. He sat up stiffly, and realized he wasn't wearing any clothes.
Eli cursed as he remembered bits and pieces of last night. This was Deanna's bedroom, and Eli had slept with her...
The annoying racket stopped, and Eli hurriedly put on his clothes. He dressed in record time, and went down the small hallway, ending up in the kitchen/living room of the small apartment.
Deanna stood before a blender, pouring a green-looking liquid into two glasses. She was already dressed, and show no signs of the large amounts of alcohol they had consumed last night.
"You have to have some of this," Deanna said, holding up a glass of the green liquid contraption. "It's a miracle for hang-overs."
Eli shook his head, "I'm going to just go."
"Just try it... it really works," Deanna said, advancing on him with the glass.
"I don't want that shit!" Eli cried, and Deanna froze.
Deanna looked at him with hurt eyes. "What's your problem?"
"MY problem?" Eli cried. "My problem is that somehow I ending up sleeping with YOU when I didn't want to!!"
Deanna sighed, sipping the green stuff herself. "You can say whatever you want, but we both know what you really wanted, Eli."
"What's that?" Eli asked with annoyance. He found his shoes by the door and put them on, gratefully.
"Just some fun," Deanna said with a smile. "And you got that. So, don't make a big deal out of this, Eli. It was just a little harmless fun."
"Right, sure," Eli said without conviction. He pulled open the apartment door, and left without looking back.
In the apartment Deanna frowned, and tossed her green drink down the sink.
* * * *
[[[[...End of memory flashback]]]]
Grace put her pencil down and continued writing:
...and the baby is Eli's. Yeah, I bet that's a shocker for you, huh? You see, Eli and I have this history, and I can't get into this in a letter, so... I just wanted to tell you what's 'new' in my life. Me and Eli are having a child. The due date is December 25th. A Christmas baby!
You meant a lot to me too, Coop. You brought happiness and humor to my life when I really needed it. And for that I will always be grateful. And yeah, our break-up wasn't the best, but it's okay. We just weren't right for each other. I think we both see that now.
I'm glad to hear about your band. I know how much music means to you. Do send me a CD if you make one.
-Grace
p.s. It was really nice to hear from you, and I'd understand if you don't ever want to write me again... after what I just told you. It would be nice to get another letter from you, but I'll understand if you just can't.
* * *
Where Do We Go From Here?
Chapter 17//A Little Fun
*
*
*
Grace picked up her pencil again, and began writing:
Dear Coop,
What I have to say to you is hard. But it's necessary. See, I need to tell you that I'm pregnant...
Grace sighed. This was hard. She had really cared for Coop, but she had just never quite loved him like she loved Eli. But after finding out Eli had cheating on her, Grace had tried to shut out all feelings for Eli... and she had turned to Coop. Maybe that had been a mistake to lead him on, when she knew she hadn't really loved him... but Grace had done it anyways. Besides, Coop was a great guy, and Grace had liked to see Eli hurting as bad as she had.
* * *
[[[[Start of memory flashback....]]]]
"So are you coming to the show?" Eli asked over breakfast on Friday.
Grace glanced up, and gave a distracted nod. She was busy looking over the maps of the college campus she, Rick, and Jessie were going to visit that day.
"Cause, it's really important you be there," Eli said, thinking of Deanna. Deanna saying, 'Will your girlfriend be there?'... and 'Try to get her to stay home'. If Grace wasn't there, then Deanna would think Eli was giving her the go-ahead to... do, well, it was pretty clear what Deanna wanted from him.
"I'll be there," Grace said, not looking up from the maps scattered along the table. Rick came into the room, and started talking to Grace about places to visit, and Eli left the room.
He was in his room, smoking a cigarette when a knock came. Eli quickly stubbed out the cigarette... no one knew he smoked. He hoped the open window hid the smell of the smoke and called out, "Come in."
Grace entered. "I'm leaving in a few," She told him.
"Oh," Eli said, looking at her.
Grace moved across the room, and did what Eli feared she was going to do... kiss him. Grace immediately pulled away. "You were smoking," She said, her voice dreary.
Eli sighed, "Just one."
"Uh huh," Grace said, trying not to show her disappointment. She looked at him curiously, "Since when do you smoke?"
"Uh," Eli tried to think of a lie, but just ending up shrugging it off.
Grace forced a smile, "Well, I'll see you later then, okay?" She moved to kiss him, but then thought the better of it, and turned away. She walked to the door.
"Have fun," Eli called after her.
Grace gave him a small nod and closed the door behind her.
* * * (still memory flashback)* * *
"Oh, Dad!" Jessie cried. "Can we stop?"
Grace looked out the window, seeing nothing but a line of stores.
"Sure," Rick said cheerfully. He pulled the car to the curb. "Where did you want to go?"
"Oh, that store a bit back... oh, and look at the shirt in that store!" Jessie cried eagerly as she surveyed the buildings.
Grace folded her arms and looked pointedly at her watch. Rick looked over at her in the passenger's seat. "Is it okay with you, Grace?"
They had already visited the campus, and that took an hour longer than Grace thought it would, and then they spent an hour at dinner, and now... Grace knew if they didn't leave now, they'd miss the band's gig. Grace conveyed her thoughts in words, "Well... I wanted to get back for Eli's gig."
Jessie rolled her eyes, looking at Grace from the backseat. "You go to their EVERY gig... I think you can miss one!"
Grace thought it over.
"Grace?" Rick asked when she was silent. "We can head home now if you want..."
Grace looked over at Rick, and then back at Jessie who looked at her pleadingly. "No, Jessie's right," Grace said, actually smiling. "I do have some Christmas money saved up. And I need a little fun."
Eli wouldn't mind if she missed his gig, right? It was just this one time.
* * * (still memory flashback)* * *
"Hi Eli," Deanna said, coming up to him and Coop. The other two guys of the band were out front, watching the other acts.
"How'd you get back here?" Eli asked, and Deanna just rolled her eyes. Eli looked over her... seeing her skin-tight tiny tank top, and itty bitty skirt... He guessed that no guy would turn down her request. And it wasn't like there was much security here for this little club. It was mostly just 'Earl'... and Eli guessed Earl had been happy to comply with Deanna's wishes in that outfit.
"I'm going out front," Coop said with a not-so-sly wink at Eli. Eli cursed himself for ever telling Coop that lie that he liked Deanna.
"Watch for Grace, okay?" Eli asked as Coop departed. Coop nodded, leaving them alone in the small room.
"So... no girlfriend tonight?" Deanna asked, moving towards him.
"Uh, not yet," Eli said uncomfortably, "But she's coming..."
"Sure," Deanna said with a smile. "Sure she is."
Eli uncomfortably sifted on the couch as Deanna came and sat down next to him. She threw a leg over his own, and moved up against him. Eli looked at her green cat eyes, and swallowed nervously. Deanna moved in to kiss him.
"Wait," Eli said, holding up a hand. "I meant it when I said she's coming..."
"Oh," Deanna said, pulling away a little. She left her long toned leg thrown over his, though. She also still had that smoky seductive look in her eyes. "What she doesn't know, won't kill her. Eli... I'm not looking for a relationship. Just a little fun."
"Fun," Eli echoed.
Deanna smiled at him. "I think you need a little fun, Eli." Her hand reached out, playing with the buttons on his shirt. Eli looked down at her hand, unsure.
The door swung open, and Eli let out a sigh of relief. It was Todd, Mark, and Coop. They realized they had interrupted something good, and smiled knowingly at Eli and Deanna. Deanna slid herself off Eli.
"Uh, we're on next," Todd explained.
"Great," Eli said standing up. He went over and picked up his guitar. He stopped to glance in the mirror at himself, but instead all he saw was the reflection of Deanna sitting on the couch... waiting for him.
"Did Grace show up?" Eli asked Coop nervously.
Coop shook his head.
Eli closed his eyes briefly. 'Grace...' He thought with despair. 'I need you...'
* * * (still memory flashback)* * *
Eli played the last notes of the final song, and looked over the audience. They clapped, hollered and whistled for them. At any other time, Eli would have been thrilled. Their set had gone really good. Probably one of their best gigs yet... but Grace had never showed up.
Eli wondered if it was because of the smoking thing... or if it was because he didn't want to tell everyone about them and she did... or he wondered if it was because her life was changing, and she was thinking that maybe she didn't need him anymore. Grace was going to go to college in Madison... why would she still need him, when he was back in Chicago?
Deanna found them backstage after they finished.
"That was great!" She said enthusiastically. She pulled a bottle out of her bag and took a huge swallow before passing it to Eli. "Drink up, you deserve it!" She said.
Eli took the bottle of vodka, studied it, and then let the smooth liquid pass down his lips. "Hell!" He cried as he took another shot of the drink. He took a third immediately after.
Todd passed by, on his way to the van to load up their instruments. "Looks like Eli won't be driving," He said under his breath.
* * * (Still memory flashback)* * *
Rick, Jessie and Grace got back a little after eleven. They went their separate ways, and Grace went up to her room, where she changed her clothes. Then, just before twelve- when the house was silent, she snuck downstairs. She wanted to apologize to Eli about missing his show.
His room was empty though, and Grace sat down on his bed, deciding to wait for him to get back.
* * * (Still memory flashback)* * *
"You can drop us off here," Deanna called out from where she and Eli sat in the back with the instruments.
Todd pulled to the curb in front of the apartments Deanna had pointed out. She got out of the back, and Todd looked back at Eli curiously. "Aren't you getting out, too?"
Coop nudged Eli hard, "Dude... she totally wants you!"
Eli opened his eyes, "Yeah, she does.." He said with a huge grin.
"Then, go have some fun!" Mark put in from the front, "And she definitely looks like the type of girl who knows how to have FUN."
His friends edged him on, and Eli found himself clumsily getting out of the car. Deanna was waiting for him on the sidewalk. The van drove away, and Eli stood up a bit straighter, looking over at Deanna.
"We're almost there," Deanna assured him, and she began walking up the drive to the apartments.
Eli's upper body fell forward, and he rested his hands on his knees to keep himself upright.
"Eli?" Deanna asked, turning around to see he wasn't following her. "Wow, I guess you're drunker than I thought," She said, laughing.
Eli didn't answer her, only whispered, "She never showed."
"What?" Deanna asked loudly.
"Nothing," Eli said, regaining balance with his body, and standing upright. "Which apartment is yours?"
"The third one," Deanna said, pointing. "So, you are coming?"
Eli began walking with her. He found the top of the vodka bottle sticking out of her purse and he took it out, taking another swallow. "Yeah, but only to sleep, right...?"
They continued walking, and later Eli realized Deanna had never answered him.
* * * (still memory flashback)* * *
Grace opened her eyes, a slight fogginess not allowing her to realize where she was right away. Then it hit her... she was in Eli's room, and he had never showed up! Grace looked over at the clock, '8:03am'.... And she had spent the entire night in his room, where she had fallen asleep waiting for him.
Grace got up, sighing as she wondered why Eli hadn't come home. She opened the door carefully, and snuck back into the kitchen. It was a good thing she had changed into her pjs before coming down to Eli's room last night. Grace had barely gotten a few feet into the kitchen, when she ran into her mother.
"You're up early for a Saturday," Lily commented.
"Uh, yeah," Grace turned, opening the fridge. She pretended to be looking for something to eat.
"How about I make French toast?" Lily offered.
"That sounds good," Grace said, closing the fridge. "I'm going to take a shower."
Grace hurried out the room. She wondered where Eli had stayed last night, and if he was mad that she didn't come to his show... she'd have to apologize to him whenever he got home.
* * * (still memory flashback)* * *
Eli opened his eyes, the pounding in his head enhanced by the sound of... Eli opened his eyes, trying to detect what was making that horrible racket. He found his head doing a summersault as he looked around at a strange room. He sat up stiffly, and realized he wasn't wearing any clothes.
Eli cursed as he remembered bits and pieces of last night. This was Deanna's bedroom, and Eli had slept with her...
The annoying racket stopped, and Eli hurriedly put on his clothes. He dressed in record time, and went down the small hallway, ending up in the kitchen/living room of the small apartment.
Deanna stood before a blender, pouring a green-looking liquid into two glasses. She was already dressed, and show no signs of the large amounts of alcohol they had consumed last night.
"You have to have some of this," Deanna said, holding up a glass of the green liquid contraption. "It's a miracle for hang-overs."
Eli shook his head, "I'm going to just go."
"Just try it... it really works," Deanna said, advancing on him with the glass.
"I don't want that shit!" Eli cried, and Deanna froze.
Deanna looked at him with hurt eyes. "What's your problem?"
"MY problem?" Eli cried. "My problem is that somehow I ending up sleeping with YOU when I didn't want to!!"
Deanna sighed, sipping the green stuff herself. "You can say whatever you want, but we both know what you really wanted, Eli."
"What's that?" Eli asked with annoyance. He found his shoes by the door and put them on, gratefully.
"Just some fun," Deanna said with a smile. "And you got that. So, don't make a big deal out of this, Eli. It was just a little harmless fun."
"Right, sure," Eli said without conviction. He pulled open the apartment door, and left without looking back.
In the apartment Deanna frowned, and tossed her green drink down the sink.
* * * *
[[[[...End of memory flashback]]]]
Grace put her pencil down and continued writing:
...and the baby is Eli's. Yeah, I bet that's a shocker for you, huh? You see, Eli and I have this history, and I can't get into this in a letter, so... I just wanted to tell you what's 'new' in my life. Me and Eli are having a child. The due date is December 25th. A Christmas baby!
You meant a lot to me too, Coop. You brought happiness and humor to my life when I really needed it. And for that I will always be grateful. And yeah, our break-up wasn't the best, but it's okay. We just weren't right for each other. I think we both see that now.
I'm glad to hear about your band. I know how much music means to you. Do send me a CD if you make one.
-Grace
p.s. It was really nice to hear from you, and I'd understand if you don't ever want to write me again... after what I just told you. It would be nice to get another letter from you, but I'll understand if you just can't.
* * *