Title: Reunification
Author: Lisbeth
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters
Show: Once And Again
Synopsis: While attending grad school, Grace runs into someone from her past
Rating: PG-13
E-Mail: strangefruitgirl@hotmail.com
Chapter 7: Renewed Harmony
That Thursday had to be the slowest day of her life. While she was able to concentrate on her schoolwork, she would sometimes catch herself drifting off into fantasyland. Just staring out the window, wondering, trying to think of questions to ask and things to say to him tomorrow. It was something she was highly looking forward to but at the same time dreading.
Barbara was sitting on the couch reading while Grace fiddled with the pen in her hand, trying to write her thoughts on another one of Chekov's stories she was supposed to read. Her thoughts though were being invaded by August Dimitri. "Tell me. Tell me everything" kept repeating over and over in her head. She wanted to tell him everything, every single thought and emotion that was dedicated to him over the past five years, but she couldn't.
"Grace." Barbara said.
"Yes Grandma." Grace responded.
"Do we have some ice cream in the freezer. I'm craving ice cream right now."
"Sure, I'll go check." Grace said as she got out of her chair and walked towards the kitchen. A few seconds later she returned in the living room.
"We've got
chocolate chip cookie dough and strawberry.
Which one would you like?"
"Strawberry." Barbara said as
she got off of the couch and began walking towards the kitchen.
As Grace grabbed two bowls from the cabinet, she pulled out both containers of ice cream and went to fix both her and her grandmother a bowl. Barbara moved to the table with her book and continued reading. Grace placed the bowl of strawberry ice cream in front of her grandmother's face Barbara stared at it for a second then looked up at Grace.
"Gracie. I asked for vanilla."
"Grandma, we don't have vanilla." Grace said sullenly.
"Oh." Barbara said confused.
"Do you want to switch with me? I'm having chocolate chip cookie dough."
"No. No. This is fine." Barbara said.
As Grace sat in front of her grandmother, she debated in her head whether it was time to tell her mother just what was happening. The shoe incident, Grace could easily put aside, but this was getting more serious. Her appetite disappeared as quickly as it appeared.
Barbara ate slowly, savoring the flavor. To Grace it looked like she was tasting it slowly to somehow try and joggle her memory of what strawberries tasted like. Grace could only smile at her grandmother, hoping that it would somehow cancel out the tears forming in her eyes. It made her feel guilty that she was enjoying her life while her grandmother's was slowly falling apart.
Friday hadn't come quick enough. Grace woke up with a smile on her face and began the day with a run. She would see him today only she would be able to truly see him, not try to hide from him or his gaze. It was a beautiful feeling.
As she sat through her first three classes, she was growing impatient with the day. Finally, the time came for her Russian literature class. As she walked into the classroom, for the first time ever since beginning the class, she turned her head to the right and truly looked at the classroom. She felt as if it were a moment in slow motion as she looked in the middle of the left section of the class as she was walking to her chair expecting to see him sitting, but he wasn't there. As a small fleck of disappointment started to appear, she turned her focus towards her section and seat. He was there. He was sitting in the chair to the right of her own that was never occupied since day one. She smiled a smile of disbelief as she saw him looking up at her.
"Whatever happened to middle left section, row eight?"
"I felt like experiencing the class from a different point of view, or chair, to be flat out honest" he said as he smiled at her.
Grace smiled and went to sit in her chair. As she took out her notebook, she looked at him with a grin on her face. She felt like she was in high school again almost. "So, how are you today?" Grace asked trying to kill the time left before the class started.
"Good actually. And you?"
"Fine." Grace said.
Suddenly, she turned to look at him. "Doesn't this feel odd to you?"
"How so?"
"Don't you feel like you're in high school? I do at least."
August smiled at the comment. "You know what your problem is Grace. You worry too much. Would it really kill you to somehow feel like you are actually in high school?"
"Since when have you become so carefree Mr. Dimitri?" Grace said slyly.
"First, I think we are way past Mr. Dimitri. August would be just fine now. Second, I must remind you that five years have past between us. We have all changed in our own peculiar ways. You'll find out more about them today if you are patient enough."
"You're lucky. I think my patience has grown these past five years." Grace said as Dr. Sutton walked in class. During the lecture it was hard for her to concentrate when she knew that he was sitting right next to her. Grace was so used to seeing him in the front of the class sitting on his desk, or in his chair, but never right beside her. Throughout the lecture, in the corner of her eye, she could sense him looking at her. She wanted to meet his gaze, but she knew that she wouldn't be able to take her eyes off of him if she did. Once again, thoughts of whether or not he was committed to someone else crept up in her head, but she only think of the little flirtations that occurred before class started.
Finally, class ended. Dr. Sutton gave the next assignment and reminded the class to continue working on their research papers. As Grace began packing up her books, August began the conversation.
"So, 5:30 today at Rumi's. Is it still on?" August said as he handed Grace one of her books.
"Yes, of course." Grace said as she smiled at him.
"Good then. I have to pass by the library to get some books. Would you like me to walk you to your car?"
"No thanks. I never was a damsel in distress in high school – that hasn't changed one bit. I'll see you tonight." Grace said as she walked out of the classroom.
As Grace walked into Manning Manor, Lily was already home unloading groceries and discussing Barbara's new medication to Hilda. "Hey honey." Lily said as she noticed Grace walk into the kitchen.
"Hey mom." Grace said as she grabbed an orange out of the fridge.
"So, she needs to take this pill after she eats her lunch. Dr. Bader said that it may make her a little drowsy, so don't worry if she feels like she needs a nap. The pills are big, so if my mom has trouble swallowing them, we have a pill cutter in the medicine cabinet. Dr. Bader said it would be alright if we cut them, just as long as she takes one full dose."
"Yes Mrs. Sammler." Hilda said.
"Well, we'll see you Monday." Lily said as Hilda walked out of the kitchen door.
"Goodbye. Have a good weekend." Hilda said.
"Well, she sure seems cheery today." Grace said as she pulled off the peelings.
"Must be the weekend. I think she plays bingo every Friday night or something."
"So, why are you home so early?"
"Would you believe we were having some technical problems. Les called in some repairman, so, he gave told us to call it a day. I had to pass by the pharmacy to pick up your grandmothers medication. She's in the living room right now."
"Hey, is it alright if I go out tonight."
"Sure. Hot date?" Lily asked with excitement in her voice.
"No. Some girl from my class invited me to go out with some of her friends at a café in Chicago. I just wanted to make sure that yall didn't have any plans or anything."
"It's alright. Go out and have some fun. You deserve it." Lily said as she walked out of the kitchen.
Grace finished up her orange and walked up to the attic. She put her booksack down and laid down on her bed. She had about three hours to relax until she was due to meet him. Grace didn't know what she was going to do. Should she dress up, or should she just dress in her normal casual wear. She didn't want to come on too strong; she just wanted to remain subtle. It wasn't a date. It was just a continuation of their little reunion, as they called it. A reunion. The word played in Grace's brain and before she knew it, she was digging through her dictionary to find the written meaning of it.
"Reunion, the act of reuniting; renewed harmony. A social gathering of persons who have been separated." Grace read aloud. "Renewed harmony" Grace said with a smirk on her face. Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard a knock on her door.
"Hey honey. Would you mind picking up Zoe and Simon for me." Lily said.
"Sure mom." Grace said as she got up and grabbed her keys.
It was now 4:25 and Grace was on the Internet trying to do find research on her character analysis paper. She decided she would do it on a character from "On Love." It was after all, her favorite story. While searching through some online books from questia.com, she heard the doorbell ring downstairs. Grace decided to give up on the research then and bookmarked the page she was at.
As she walked down the stairs, she saw Jessie and Katie in the living room. Katie had a bouquet of flowers and was giving them to Lily as Grace walked into the room.
"Hey!" Grace said as she approached them.
"Hi Grace." Katie said as she went to hug her.
"We came to visit Karen and Henry and Jessie suggested that we stop by for a visit."
"It's good to see you again. How's the art department treating you?" Grace asked as Zoe walked in the room.
"Well, nothing too fantastic."
"Come on, tell them." Jessie said.
"I've been offered a show at the museum I work at." Katie said.
"Wow! That's great Katie. Congratulations." Lily said.
"It's nothing too big, but I heard a rumor that some people from New York representing the Museum of Modern Art will be there."
"That's so cool!" Zoe said.
"Yeah, with MoMA behind you, you're sure to hit the big time. So, what exactly does your paintings fall into, genre speaking." Grace said.
"Well, it's a mix between abstract expressionism and surrealism. Kind of like Jackson Pollock and Frida Kahlo having a kid."
"What, no Salvador Dali? Isn't he the best surrealist?" Lily asked.
"Well, if I start using my own blood to paint, then we'll consider adding that one onto the list."
"What?" Zoe asked.
"Some believed that Dali used his own blood to paint sometimes." Jessie responded.
"That's disgusting!" Zoe said.
"Now that I think about it, did you ever notice just how red that flower was in one of his paintings?" Grace said, knowing that it would gross her sister out.
"Gross! I'm getting the heebee jeebees." Zoe said as she walked out of the room.
"Well, you two are more than welcome to stay for dinner." Lily said as she walked into the kitchen.
"Thank you Mrs. Sammler." Katie said.
"So, how many paintings do you have lined up for the show?" Grace asked.
"Oh, around eight. I don't want to give them everything." Katie said
"Hey girls," Lily began as she walked back into the living room "Is pasta all right with you all?"
"It's funny. One the way over here, Jessie mentioned that she was hungry for that." Katie said.
"Well, Rick should be home soon, so why don't you make yourselves at home." Lily said.
"Would you like some help in the kitchen Mrs. Sammler?" Katie offered.
"Yes actually. I need someone to chop up the garlic."
"Sure, just point me to the cutting board." Katie said as she and Jessie walked into the kitchen.
As 5:00 was closing near, Grace was frantically trying to find something to wear. She tossed around clothes, dresses, skirts, pants, shirts, but nothing could satisfy her at that moment. Just as she was digging through her shoes, she heard a knock on her door.
"It's open." Grace said as she stared down the maroon shirt she had in her hands.
"Hey." Jessie said.
"What's up?" Grace said as she put the shirt back in her closet.
"I'm just trying to get dressed and losing my mind at the same time." Grace said.
"That's true. Your mom mentioned that you were going out with some friends." Jessie said as she looked at Grace who was in a frenzied panic. "Or, is it just one friend?"
Grace paused in her tracks and looked at Jessie. She then went to close the door. As she began to speak, she kept her tone quiet as if there were bugs in her room recording the conversation.
"We spoke to each other Wednesday. I couldn't stay long because I had to pick up Zoe and Simon."
"And? What's going on with him?"
"He's a student. We really didn't get too far into things. We are supposed to meet today."
"So, I'm guessing he isn't married or anything."
"I didn't see a band of gold. Jessie, he cut his hair." Grace said with a smile on her face. "He still looks the same though. It's like he hasn't changed one bit."
"So, is it an official date?"
"Oh no. It's just our little reunion."
"So why are you going through your closet like a raging lunatic?"
"I don't know what to wear. I don't want him to think that I think it's a date. Did that just make sense?"
"Why don't you just close your eyes and pick something?" Jessie offered.
"Who am I trying to kid? I think I'm trying to convince myself that there can be something between us that is bigger than a friendship. I'm setting myself up for a disappointment; I just know it. He could have a girlfriend."
"Don't be so pessimistic. What kind of vibe did he give you the other day?"
"I don't know. I can't describe it really. He looked at me like he would anyone who he hasn't seen in five years. He looked at me like he did in high school. There is still that gleam in his eyes; I think that is the one thing I missed the most about him." Grace said sadly.
"You still have his friendship though. I think that is what will truly matter in the end."
"You're right. I can't pursue anything romantically speaking. I have to just focus on friendship. If he can't give me anything else, at least, he could give that right?"
"Yes. You have a second chance to clear everything up. Not a lot of people are given that."
"Thanks. I know we didn't get along too well those years ago. I'll admit, I could be the biggest bitch to you, but I'm glad we're friends now."
"Me too." Jessie said as she went to hug Grace. "Now, lets pick something out of this wardrobe for your little reunion with August Dimitri."
Ten minutes later, a simple ensemble consisting of a pair of jeans and a long sleeved navy blue shirt was picked out. Grace wore her hair down and was looking for a necklace to go with her outfit.
"Hey, try this on." Jessie said as she removed her necklace and gave it to Grace.
"No, I can't wear that."
"Sure you can. It'll look good with that shirt." Katie said as she hooked it around her stepsisters neck.
"Thank you." Grace said as she gently touched it. "Thank you for everything." Grace said as another knock was heard on the door.
Katie walked in to see what Jessie was up to. She smiled immediately at the thought that for two girls who despised each other in high school were now getting along as if nothing ever happened.
"Hey. Your mom was wondering where you went off to Grace, and I was looking for Jessie." Katie said. "Am I interrupting something?"
"No, in fact, you're not." Jessie said.
"So, night on the town, or city, Grace?" Katie asked.
"I hope you don't mind, but I sort of told Katie about your classmate." Jessie said.
"Normally I would of freaked, but it's alright. I'm supposed to meet him in about thirty minutes."
"Yall don't waste any time! Seeing each other already." Katie said.
"It's nothing like that. We're just sort of getting reacquainted with one another." Grace said.
"Well, that's good. You two belong together." Katie said.
"Katie!" Jessie said.
"What! I'm entitled to my opinion, aren't I? Well, tell him that I said hi."
And with that, Katie and Jessie walked out of Grace's room. Grace looked at the clock and saw that she was running behind by a few minutes. She quickly brushed her hair one last time, opting to leave it down, and made sure she didn't have anything in her teeth. As she walked downstairs, Lily was still in the kitchen with Zoe, Katie, and Jessie all talking with her.
"Hey mom, I don't know exactly what time I'll be back. It won't be too late though." Grace said.
"Well, just be careful. You sure you a get around Chicago at night?" Lily asked.
"Yes, I'm pretty sure I can get around. I may not know the entire city yet, but I'm not entirely helpless."
"You don't want to maybe eat a little before you leave?"
"No thanks, I'm not that hungry." Grace responded.
"Well, have a good time." Zoe said.
"Thanks." Grace said.
As Grace was reaching for her coat, she looked at Jessie and Katie and saw that they gave her a knowing smile and a thumbs up. Jessie mouthed "good luck" without anyone else noticing. The nervousness in her stomach was beginning to fade a little, but she figured that she had a good fifteen minutes to calm it down completely. Grace left Manning Manor with a renewed confidence and a spark of a feeling that everything was going to be alright.
