Title: Reunification
Author: Lisbeth
Show: Once And Again
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters.
Synopsis: While attending grad school, Grace runs into someone from her past
Rating: PG-13
Feedback: It is required – please please please.
E-Mail: strangefruitgirl@hotmail.com
Chapter 10: When I Was A Little Girl
For the next few days, Grace kept a quiet profile about her newfound relationship with her former teacher. Everyone noticed that Grace had a little bounce in her step, but no one really thought to ask just why or who was giving it to her. Jessie and Katie knew though.
In those days, the two of them had spoken to each other mainly at school. Grace had given him her phone number as he did his own number. The two would often hang out together on weekends taking in movies, a lot of the time at the Orpheus theatre. Grace would tell everyone that she was going to hang out with friends. Because of the business in the house, Lily and Rick couldn't really question what it was that Grace was telling them. Zoe didn't bother to dig deeper into her sisters weekend hangouts, which to Grace, was a huge surprise.
Jessie and Katie came over for dinner one night. While Lily and Rick were in the living room with the rest of the family, watching a movie. Katie and Jessie offered to clean up the kitchen. Grace was wiping the table down while Katie and Jessie were doing the dishes.
"How are things going in the August Dimitri department?" Jessie asked.
"It's good. I mean, we haven't really……….how do I word it without sounding like a seventeen year old. We haven't gone to second base." Grace said
"Oh, you haven't had sex yet." Katie responded.
"Whoah! I always thought that was a home run or something. No! We're not anywhere close to that yet. We haven't even kissed yet, well, not on the lips. We hold hands but it's like one of is too afraid to jump into the kissing part yet. I don't want to seem so desperate, but inside my head I'm just screaming 'kiss me dammit!'"
Jesse and Katie started laughing. "Well, why don't you make the first move? Guys like it when girls make the move first." Jessie said.
"How would you two know?" Grace asked.
"We watch too much tv Jessie." Katie responded as she started laughing again.
"The two of us have just been going to movies. It's nothing too big. I haven't even been to his house yet. It's so good because we don't have that pressure to just fit into the perfect mold of what a romantic relationship should be. But, kisses on the cheek aren't working for me anymore."
"Well, it's time for you to take the initiative my dear." Jessie said.
"So, is he going to come to the concert?" Katie asked.
"Yeah, he wants to come." Grace said.
"Cool. Two weeks from Friday. We can all meet at Rumi's. The concert starts at 8."
"That sounds good." Grace said as she hung the dishtowel on the counter to dry.
"When are you going to tell everyone?" Katie asked out of curiosity.
"I don't know. I don't think they're ready for it. I am pretty sure that my dad will freak out. If he could of, he would have killed August five years ago."
"How sweet, he's August now!" Katie said.
"It's weird to hear his first name." Jessie replied.
"It's weird to say his name. I have to catch myself sometimes." Grace replied.
"Well, I for one, can't wait to see him." Katie said.
It was 11:30 on a Friday night, and Grace was reading the newest Michael Chabon book. It was nice to get a discount from Booklovers. She was in the middle of the book that she had started that morning. As Grace finished her chapter, she took off her reading glasses and slipped the bookmark on the new page and left her room. She walked downstairs into the kitchen and fixed herself a glass of orange juice. Before she could walk out of the kitchen, the phone rang. At first Grace thought it was probably a wrong number or some stupid crank call. Grace answered the phone cautiously.
"Hello."
"Grace?" came the familiar voice of August Dimitri.
"Hey." Grace said too loudly. She then looked around to make sure no one was still up. "What are you doing calling so late?" Grace whispered.
"Would it sound too cheesy if I said that I just wanted to hear your voice?"
"You, cheesy? Never." Grace said as she went back to her room with the cordless phone.
"So, what are you doing?"
"I'm reading the newest Chabon novel. I figured I could use a break on my schoolwork. What about you?"
"I was just listening to some music. A song reminded me of you and I thought I would just give you a ring."
"And risk my family answering the phone? You've got guts."
"I figured that everyone has to have their little moment of danger right?"
"Yeah, you could say that." Grace said as she closed her door. "So, what song is it this time?"
"A little Ryan Adams for you. "When The Stars Go Blue" and "La Ciengna Just Smiled" it's a tie."
"Honored to know that I'm in your thoughts."
"Your welcome."
The two continued to talk for sometime. Grace was trying to be as discreet as possible, but it was kind of hard to keep her voice to a whisper. While the two talked some more about their classes the time passed so quickly. He was making her laugh with stories about his travels and relatives who he hadn't seen in quiet a while. Grace also shared her Boston stories with August. She even offered to give him the walking tour of Boston one day, just as he would of London.
Zoe walked out of the bathroom hazily with the remnants of sleep still in her eyes. As she walked by Grace's room she heard laughter. It had been a long time since she heard Grace laugh like that. She couldn't even remember the last time. As her curiosity got the best of her, she put her ear to the door and tried to get an idea of whom she was talking to so late at night. Unfortunately for her, she didn't understand anything. After a few minutes, she gave up.
"Screw this." Zoe said as she walked away. "I've got enough to worry about besides Grace's personal life."
Grace never heard or noticed anything different. The two continued their conversation for another hour. Finally, at 1:00am, the two hung up. Grace went to bed with his voice in her head. She secretly prayed that he would once again compose her dreams like he used to do almost every night.
The next morning was just like any usual Saturday morning. Grace once again had the pep in her step and this time Zoe really noticed it. She eyed Grace suspiciously and tried to guess who her mystery person was, even though she had an idea in the back of her mind as to whom it was.
"Where's Rick?" Grace asked as she flipped through the morning paper.
"He's not feeling too well honey." Lily said. "I'm making him stay in bed today. Hey, would you mind going to the store for me today. I have a list somewhere."
"Sure."
"Mom, I need a ride to work." Zoe said as she put her cereal bowl in the sink.
"I can give her a ride." Grace offered. "I can go to the store afterwards."
"Good deal." Lily said.
As Grace drove Zoe to Booklovers, there was a silence there that Grace found unusual. Usually, Zoe was the one who had trouble shutting up, but now, Grace almost wished she were talking.
"What's up?" Grace asked. "You're quiet today; don't feel like working?"
"Who were on the phone with last night?" Zoe blurted out.
"What, you were eavesdropping on me!"
"Well, no. I went to the bathroom and I heard you on the phone. I didn't meant to be nosy, but I couldn't help myself. If it makes you feel better, I didn't hear anything really. So, who was it?"
"Not that it's any of your business, but it was August."
"So now you two are on a first name basis?"
"Look, Zoe, you still can't tell mom." Grace said giving Zoe her most serious glance.
"Why are you so afraid to tell them. Are you two dating?"
"It's complicated right now. We aren't and we are. I don't know."
"Grace, that's stupid."
"We're still taking baby steps that's all! Zoe, you cannot tell anyone, especially Dad!" Grace said as she pulled up into the Booklovers parking lot.
"Fine. My lips are sealed, but Grace, you're going to have to tell them sometime. One little slip up is all it will take." Zoe said as she opened the door to get out of the vehicle. "But I'll tell you one thing – I've never seen you this happy in years. I like this version of you. If he is it, then don't hide him from the world." Zoe then shut the door and walked inside of the building.
As Grace watched Zoe walk in, thoughts crept up about how she would indeed have to be careful. One simple mistake could release the can of worms. Grace wanted to believe that her family would take August in with open arms, but doubt crept up in her thoughts about how it would only be something that was too good to be true. Stuff like that only happened on tv, never in real life. But, she knew that she didn't really care what they thought. If he was the person she was meant to spend the rest of her life with, then so be it.
That night, Grace and Lily were folding laundry and having small talk. Barbara was in the living room reading a book while Rick went to bed early that night. Zoe was due to come home from work any moment now. Simon was in the living room playing with some of his toys. Lily walked into the living room and lighted a few candles which rested on a table across the room from the chair Barbara was sitting in. She never once looked up to see what was happening.
"I figure a little aromatherapy won't hurt for when we're done in here." Lily said.
"Is Rick going to be alright?"
"He should be. I gave him some Tylenol. Last time I checked, he was sleeping."
"Hey." Zoe said as she walked in the door.
"Gee, you look tired." Lily said
"Very. I'm going to take a nap. I need some sleep."
"Well, I saved you a plate if you're hungry."
"Maybe tomorrow. I'm not that hungry." Zoe responded.
"Rough day?" Grace asked.
"I absolutely hate double shifts. Jared supposedly had car trouble, so Tiff asked if I would fill in for him. Where's everyone else?" Zoe asked.
"Your grandmother and Simon are in the living room and Rick is still not feeling too well."
The atmosphere was quiet until everyone heard the piercing screams of Simon in the living room. It was then that the smoke detector went off.
"MOM! MOM! Get in here quick!"
As Lily threw down the towel and ran into the living room with Zoe and Grace following suit, they entered to see that the loveseat was on fire. Barbara stood next to the loveseat still holding one of the candles.
"I don't know how to stop it Lily!" Barbara screamed.
Lily moved her mother out of the way while Grace grabbed one of the pillows and tried to put out the fire. Zoe ran into the kitchen and grabbed the fire extinguisher. Grace gave up trying to put the fire out with the pillow as Zoe ran back into the living room.
"Mom! Here!" Zoe said as she handed her mother the extinguisher.
"Everyone stand back!!!" Lily shouted as they all backed up into the furthest corner of the living room.
After a few seconds, the fire was out and the loveseat was pretty much ready for the trash. For a few moments, Lily had to catch her breath. It was then that Rick walked down the stairs and saw the sight.
"What the hell happened?" Rick asked.
"I'm still
not too sure." Lily said. "Simon, can
you help us out here?"
"Grandma just got up from her
chair and went to the sofa. I wasn't
really paying too much attention. I'm
sorry."
"It's ok sweetie. Everything's fine now." Lily looked down and saw one of the candles on the floor.
"Mom, what did you do?"
"I just went to look at the candles. They smelled good. I guess I accidentally knocked one down. I……….I didn't know how to stop it. I didn't know what to do? I'm so tired."
"Ok. Ok." Lily said as she took in a deep breath. "Grace, would bring your grandmother upstairs and get her ready for bed."
"Ok." Grace responded.
As Grace walked upstairs with her grandmother, she could hear the voices of her mother and stepfather debating over what had just happened. Even though they tried not to raise their voices too loud, Grace could tell that avalanche was starting to fall down on the situation.
"Are you comfortable?" Grace said as she tucked her grandmother in.
"I could have done it myself Gracie."
"Don't be silly. We all need someone to care for us every now and then."
"When I was a little girl I had my dolls to take care of. They were so beautiful. I wished sometimes that I could be one of them. Just thinking about never growing old, always beautiful, not one worry in the world."
"You are beautiful." Grace responded.
"Grace. I know about the home. I can be a menace sometimes, but I feel like all of my memories are being robbed. I can't stop it. I feel like I'm being violated and I have to just somehow sit aside and hope that too much isn't taken from me. I go to bed every night afraid that I will wake up the next morning and not know where I am or who all of you are. I hate that feeling, Grace. I hate not having control of anything in my mind. There are days when I hate living even."
"Don't say that. You don't mean that." Grace said on the verge of tears.
"I'm…………so……………scared." Barbara said.
Grace began to run her fingers through her grandmother's hair as she told her that everything was going to be alright. She tried to convince herself of that too, but it just wasn't working. A few minutes later, her grandmother was asleep and Grace walked out of her room. As she shut the door, she knew what it was that had to be done. Sometimes one had to be cruel to be kind.
As she walked downstairs, she surveyed the damage. The loveseat was the only thing that was damaged badly. Everyone was sitting in the living room staring at the charred piece of furniture. Lily was trying to hold back her tears.
"I think we need to have a family discussion." Lily said. "With all of the things that have been occurring lately, I think we need to reconsider, as a family, what a possible solution can be for your grandmother. I know some of you may be against it, but I think the fact that our house could have been burned to the ground tonight is some serious food for thought."
"She should go." Grace said flatly.
"What!" Zoe said. "I thought you were dead set against that."
"There were some things that happened when you weren't here. I didn't tell you because I didn't want anyone to get worried."
"Things like what?" Rick asked.
"There was one afternoon when she didn't remember how to tie her shoes. There was another time she told me she wanted one particular thing to eat, but said she wanted something else a few moments later."
"Why didn't you tell me about these things?" Lily asked.
"I don't know really. I thought that stuff like that was supposed to happen in cases like hers. I don't know."
"Don't you think this is telling her that we're giving up on her?" Zoe asked.
"Oh, come on Zoe. You saw how she acted when Jessie came here a few weeks ago! I'm surprised she didn't lash out at her."
"She's right. She's getting worse and Dr. Bader had been warning me that it just may come to this." Lily said as tears began streaming down her face. "I think a home may be the only solution for us."
It was ten at night, and Grace was in her bedroom trying to muffle out the sounds of her tears. After discussing the matter longer, they all had decided that it would be best if Barbara were to be put into a home where she would be better taken care of. The next morning, Lily was planning on calling a few area nursing homes to see which ones would be best suited for Alzheimer's patients. Grace was too tired to stay awake, yet too tired to sleep. She then went downstairs to the dark kitchen and dialed August's number. If he could call her at eleven, then she should be able to call him at ten. She could only hope that he was home.
One ring, no one answered. Second ring, no one answered. Third ring, no one answered.
"Please pick up the phone." Grace whispered desperately into the receiver.
Forth ring.
"Hello."
"I need to see you." Grace said.
"Grace? Are you alright? Is everything ok."
"Yes, it's fine……….Actually, no, its not. I really need someone to talk to right now. Can we meet?
"Sure. Do you know where Adam's Playground Park is?
"Yeah. I'll be there in twenty minutes."
Grace was sitting on a park bench waiting for August to show up. She had been waiting for five minutes. Before she left, she quickly changed to a pair of jeans and a long sleeved shirt. It was chilly outside, so she brought her jacket. On the drive there, she tried to stop her tears from falling, but every now and then one would escape. Lost in thought, she didn't even hear his vehicle pull up.
"You know it would be labeled dangerous to come out here all by yourself."
"I couldn't bear to sit in my car anymore." Grace said. "I figured the cold air would be good for me."
August sat down next to her and looked at her with an intensity that made the coldness in her body start to fade. She met his gaze and returned it.
"You've been crying."
"I'm sorry if I called at a bad time; I didn't know where else to turn."
"Grace, you don't have to worry" he said as he grabbed her hand.
"My grandmother has Alzheimer's. That was the main reason why I returned. The past few weeks her condition has only worsened and tonight she accidentally set our loveseat on fire. We were able to put it out, but a decision was made that she would have be put in a home." Grace's tears returned full force. "She didn't even know what to do. It's like the simplest things – the simplest reactions are gone. She looked at the fire like it was some sort of complicated equation that there was no solution for. I hate seeing her like this. The thing is, she knows that she's getting worse and she's so scared. I've never my grandmother so scared."
August tightened his grip on Grace's hand and she closed her eyes as she felt it. "I'm sorry about your grandmother. I know it must irritate you to know that you can't help her the way she needs to be helped. I know you don't like to lose control. But, you have to think of her health. What would be best for her in the end."
"It's depressing at times to think about it. If her condition would never had worsened, we wouldn't of found each other again."
"Grace, I think we would have found each other no matter what. It may have taken time, but I always believed that I would find you."
"All of this chaos has gotten me thinking about us. I don't want to waste our time together anymore. The fact is that these last few weeks have been some of the best I've ever had. I never thought I would be this happy again. I think I'm in love with you. No, I take that back. I am in love with you. And I don't want to delude myself into thinking that we can have something like that when you may not believe it. If that is the case, then I don't think we should see each other anymore. I can't wait anymore."
August cut her off by kissing her. It was soft and gentle. He kissed her like she was a fragile piece of glass that would shatter into a million pieces if held too hard. As he broke away, he moved his hands to her forehead and slowly traced them down her face. His hands were soft and cold. It sent a shiver down her spine. He softly kissed the tears that were now floating from her eyes away. "Let's get out of here." He said.
Ten minutes later, Grace walked into August Dimitri's house. It was in a quiet neighborhood that reminded her of her own house. The house was warm and a few lights gave the living room a comforting softness to it. Grace took off her coat and August put on a coat rack next to the door.
"Would you like something to drink?"
"Sure." Grace said as she sat down on the sofa. She observed her surroundings and took in the moment at hand.
A few seconds later, August walked into the living room with two glasses and a bottle of wine. He knew it wasn't exactly a moment to "wine and dine" but she was an adult now. He no longer looked at her as a kid. He never did really look at her like a kid.
"I hope you like burgundy."
"Your in luck." Grace said with a smile on her face.
It was the first smile he saw on her face that night. He loved it when she smiled.
The two continued to talk about everything and nothing all at the same time. She found comfort in his voice and a relief flooded her at the thought that he was on the same chapter that she was on. After a while of chit chat, August knew that he would have to respond to her declaration of love with words instead of physical gestures.
"Grace, I didn't want you to think that I never had the same feelings for you. I'm tired of pretending." He said as he placed his glass down on the table. He reached for her hands and enveloped them in his own. "I don't want us to hide from the world like we should somehow be ashamed of what it is that we have. I love you too much for that." He said as he moved in closer.
Grace could fear him drawing near, moving in closer and closer. She could only feel their lips meeting once again. The familiar territory still felt kind of odd to her, almost as if this were her first time ever being kissed. She refused to take the moment for granted. For a few seconds they were like that. During those moments of pure bliss, he moved in to hold her closer. She finally gave in to the pent up temptation and ran her fingers through his hair. They broke apart only because of the necessity of air. Grace felt a flush come to her as she moved into his arms. He held her and in those moments Grace closed her eyes, inhaling his essence yet again. She couldn't remember the last time she felt so relaxed and content.
"I just need someone to tell that everything is going to be alright, even if it really won't be in the end." Grace said softly.
"Grace, everything will be alright. You'll see." He responded as he began running his hand slowly up and down her back.
Grace felt the chill inside of her dissipate as she leaned in as close as she possibly could into his embrace. It was so strange how someone could reduce her to feeling like a silly little schoolgirl just by welcoming her into his arms. She had forgotten about the events a few hours earlier. She had just him and the moment and she felt that if she were to die at that moment, she would die in complete happiness. There was only him and nothing else. It was like coming home.
As August held her, he could feel the tension in her slip away. How could someone who was so strong be so vulnerable at the same time? He knew that she was someone who didn't like to show her weaknesses to the world, but he felt honored almost that she could do that with him. He rested his chin on her head and took in the smell of her hair. If he could freeze the moment and somehow trap it in box, he would do everything in his power to make sure it happened.
The seductive pull of sleep was starting to overcome Grace as she was still settled in his arms. After a few moments of silence, with the only sound being the slight wind outside, August looked at his clock – it was almost one in the morning.
"Hey." August whispered. He could only hear the slight moans of someone who didn't want to be awakened. "Grace."
"Hmm. What?" she whispered.
"Let's go to bed." He said.
August grabbed her hand and led her the bedroom. As he pulled back the covers, Grace crawled into the bed as August followed suit.
"Aren't you going to change?" Grace asked sleepily.
"Don't worry about me." He replied as he smiled at her.
Grace moved in closer and rested her head in the crook of his neck. He began to run his fingers through her hair as she settled in to the man who had claimed her heart.
"I feel that when I'm with you there is nothing to be afraid of." Grace said. "There is an absence of fear – it's something I've never felt."
"I'm glad you feel that way." August responded.
And with those words, Grace slowly succumbed to the spell of sleep. August listened to her breathing as she slept. Was there really nothing to be afraid of? The two of them had overcome one of their biggest obstacles, but there was still so much to be done. He knew that she never whispered so much as a word about the two of them to her parents, but in those moments he didn't give a rat's ass. August soon fell asleep with Grace still in his arms.
