AN: People that reviewed, thanks. You guys keep me going. Much thanks to Hannah C for being a wonderful friend and putting up with me and my insanity for 6 years, and for helping me keep the characters in check this chapter. You rock.
"Okay.." Luke said. "About what?"
"There is not going to be a repeat of what happened today. Got it? The way I see it, if we're going to do this, there are going to have to be some ground rules. one of those being no contact in public. No one needs to know what's going on between us, it's none of their business," Grace told him.
"What is going on between us?" Luke asked.
"Nothing. We are not dating, going out, or any other variation of the word. We will talk in public when necessary, but save conversation and making out for when we're alone."
"What?" Luke asked, getting more confused as she went on. Grace sighed.
"Can I use your computer?" He nodded.
"Yeah, sure.." Fifteen minutes later, Grace handed Luke a freshly printed document and a pen.
"Sign the bottom line," she told him.
"What is it?" he asked. She rolled her eyes.
"Read it."
"A secrecy contract?" he asked. She nodded.
"Is this.. Is this serious?" Another nod.
"Sign it or not, your choice."
"Grace-" he started.
"Luke! Come down here for a minute!" Helen yelled from downstairs. Luke looked from his bedroom door to Grace.
"Meet me in the park tomorrow afternoon. Around one. We'll talk," she told him before she climbed out his window and down the pipe.
----
She woke up to the sounds of glass shattering. Wincing, she rolled over in bed and checked the digital clock. Already noon. Grace stumbled out of bed and began digging through the clean pile of clothing on her floor, throwing on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. Running down the stairs, she spotting her mother laying on the floor, passed out. She shook her head and crossed the room, pulling her mother up and dragging her over to the couch. She then moved into the kitchen and gathered up the half empty Vodka bottles, dumping the rest of the contents down the sink and throwing the bottles in the trash can. She then pulled open the refrigerator and pulled out the remains of the bottles, emptying them down the sink as well. Returning to the main room, she took one last look at her mother, then left the house.
----
She found Luke sitting on a bench on the far side of the park, isolated by trees. Walking over to the bench, she took a seat next to him.
"Good choice," she said, referring to the location. He didn't respond, but handed her a piece of paper.
"Here. I signed it. Both of them," he told her. Well, that hadn't been expected. She looked up at him, her eyes meeting his. "I agree to your terms." A small smile broke out across her face. She knew the contract was completely unfair, but it was something that needed to be done. It was safest for both of them that she didn't let him in at all. It wasn't fair for him to know about her burdens, and she didn't want anyone knowing about them anyway.
"I'm going to camp for a few weeks," he told her. "Can I call you when I get back?" She shook her head. That wouldn't work. Her cell phone was still in the freezer at the local 7-11, no sense in anyone stealing it since she had called to have it disconnected, just in case, and there was no way he would be getting the number to her house's main line. Far too risky.
"No. We need a meeting spot or something," she said. Then it hit her. "The abandoned café across from Mocha Mike's," she told him. It was perfect. No one had been there in months, and the outdoor patio had a small brick wall surrounding it, which would keep them out of sight. He nodded, standing up.
"I've got to get home to pack. I'll see you in two weeks?" he asked.
"Two weeks," she responded. Yes, there was a chance that this just might work.