Grace was right. 5 days later Rafe still wasn't talking. Instead of walking to school with them he
would leave earlier, he would sit with other friends at lunch, and look past them when he passed
them in the hallways.
'5 days is plenty to cool down' thought Grace. She was going to talk to Rafe today. No matter
how much he didn't want to talk to her, he was at least going to listen to what she had to say.
When Grace entered her house that afternoon she headed straight for Rafe's room. After
knocking a bunch of times, she opened the door to find no Rafe.
She realized he was probably doing his chores. She ran outside and into the garage. sure enough
Rafe was getting the plane ready to do some crop dusting.
"Rafe, I don't care if you aren't talking to me. You'll just have to listen then." She continued when
Rafe just stared at her. "Danny and I didn't plan this, it just happened. Daddys right, I'm not a
little girl anymore. I've grown up and I understand that you want to protect me, but I can take
care of myself. Please say something to me!"
Rafe stared at her a little while longer. Then he sighed and responded. "It's just...Danny an' me
have been friends for a long time and he's my best friend...but...your my kid sister and I don't
want to see you hurt. Don't look at me like that! If Danny were to break up with you I'd have to
hate him. I don't want to do that, but you come first." Rafe looked up sadly at Grace and she
stifled a small giggle. "What? Why are you laughin' at me? Grace Elizabeth McCawley!"
"I'm sorry! It's just...I know that Danny has been your best friend forever and he's been my
friend too! We've talked it over and decided that if we didn't work out as a couple we would be
friends...well, try to be friends, but you don't have to worry is my point. I don't want you to be
mad at us, we want you to be happy...and we want you to talk to us, too." Grace joked, smiling
slightly.
"Alright, I guess I have been stupid, but I just didn't want you to get hurt. You grew up to fast,
Gracie." Rafe said pulling her in for a hug.
"so, we're okay?" Grace asked.
"Yeah, we're okay." Rafe laughed.
"And you and Danny are okay, too?" she asked.
"Now your pushing it, Gracie." he said but quickly added "alright, yeah, Danny and me are
okay" when she slapped him upside the head.
The two walked out of the garage to see Danny standing in front of them.
"Hey, Rafe." Danny said softly. "Are we-"
"Yea, Danny. We're okay." Rafe finished for him and the two shook hands. Rafe headed back
into the garage while Danny and Grace went for a walk.