"ELI!" Grace yelled, dropping her bag heavily on the floor, and peeling off her light coat.
"Eli!" she yelled again, draping her coat over the banister.
She peered into the living room, and was about to walk into the kitchen, when Jessie emerged, with a bowl of ice cream in hand.
She smiled at Grace, "He's not here……….he's working late………." She said, heading into the living room- Grace followed.
"He's what? He didn't tell me that!" she sighed, falling onto the couch beside Jessie "I need a neck rub!" she moaned, resting her head on Jessie's shoulder.
Jessie scooped some of her chocolate mousse ice cream on her spoon and shoved it infront of Grace's face.
Grace gave a small moan and shook her head; Jessie shrugged and shoved the spoon into her mouth instead, smiling at the chocolate sensation.
Grace propped herself up, and looked at Jessie's glowing face; "you seem………." She tried to find the words.
"Happy?" Jessie asked, scooping some more ice cream into her mouth.
Grace nodded, "what happened today that was so great?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
Jessie looked down at her ice cream, and then back at Grace, with a wide smile; "I walked through the hallway today………..holding Katie's hand………and I never once let it go" she smirked,
Grace opened her mouth, about to say her congratulations, when Rick walked in, holding a bowl of strawberry cream ice cream.
"Oh Grace, your home!" he smiled, looking down at the girls.
She turned around and smiled up at her stepfather, "what's with the ice cream craving?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
RICK & JESSIE (Rick has his arm slung around her shoulder and they are both smiling)
Rick and Jessie exchanged smirks, and Grace knew it was some secret 'father/daughter' language- the sort no one can decode.
"Right" she smiled, getting up from her seat, "I have a ton of homework to do……….." she sighed, stepping aside so Rick could take her seat, "you two enjoy you're ice cream" she smiled.
"We bought an extra tub, if you want some" Rick offered.
Grace shook her head, "No, I don't much feel like ice cream" she turned on her heel and headed up the stairs to her room, hearing Jessie and Rick's voices as she climbed the stairs.
"So tell me more about Katie………." Rick started.
Jessie gave a small laugh, "Well……….she's really beautiful………..and so funny; she always has me in stitches…………she wants to be a fashion designer…………."
Grace smiled as the conversation faded away into silence once her bedroom door closed and she collapsed onto her bed.
She really needed Eli right now, really needed that neck rub he'd promised her.
She knew it wasn't his fault; but the day hadn't gone as he'd promised her it would. And now she needed him here to pick up the pieces, and reassure her that tomorrow would be better.
She peeled off her bed covers, kicked off her shoes, and snuggled down in a clump under the warmth- sighing as she breathed in the heat.
GRACE I really need him here right now. Everything seems so much easier when I talk it out with him! (Looks far off and gives a half smile) I could tell him that the sky was falling and he'd think of some reason why that wasn't such a bad thing!
Jake studied the piece of paper in his hand, a list of the new books that needed to be shipped; he was walking briskly towards his office, wanting to get the paper work done so he could get home to Tiffany and Caleb. He'd told Judy he'd take care of it all, and so she went home early.
He opened his office door, and looked once more around the empty bookstore before stepping inside. But just as quickly stepped back out, squinting, he looked out into the dim darkness, at one of the coffee tables, where Eli sat with a bowed head.
"E?" Jake called out.
Eli looked up, and then quickly stood.
"Hi Jake" he croaked.
Jake closed his door and walked towards Eli, flicking on a lamp light before approaching the table.
"What are you doing here?" Jake asked, looking down at his watch for a moment, "wont Lily and Rick be worried?" he asked.
"I called dad and told him I was working late"
"Until 9:00?" Jake asked, surprised, "Your shift ended at 8:00!"
Eli looked down and nodded, "Yeah………..and I was going to go home………..but I decided I needed to talk to you first" he looked back up, and Jake motioned for him to sit down; Jake did the same, pulling out a seat for himself.
"What's so important that couldn't wait until tomorrow morning?" he asked, slightly irritated.
"I cant go to Philadelphia" Eli blurted it out; and surprised himself, in his mind he'd subtly slipped it into the conversation, but now, it was out there; and Jake just stared at him.
"Ok" he replied, so simply.
"Ok?" Eli repeated, his eyes widening.
"What do you want me to say?" Jake asked, leaning back in the chair.
Eli blinked, unsure of what to say; "I……….I don't know………." He mumbled.
"It's not my job to force you to take great job opportunities" Jake went on.
"No your right………that's my mums job" Eli muttered.
Jake gave a small laugh and nodded, "so why?" he asked.
Eli stared at him for a moment, the question not registering.
"Why don't you want it?" Jake asked, slowly.
Eli looked down, knowing what the first reason was, but not having the guts to share it with Jake.
ELI I don't want to be so far away from you're daughter.
"Don't want to leave the band behind?" Jake presumed for him.
Eli said nothing for a moment, and then nodded.
"Can't be such a great band mates, if the drummer gave you that?" Jake pointed out, referring to Eli's black eye; which had clamed down a bit since Saturday, but was still obvious.
Eli gave a small laugh and nod, "it's not just that……….." he went on.
"Don't tell me it's because of a girl!" Jake sighed.
Eli hastily looked up, his eyes wide with confusion; Jake saw he'd hit the mark, and shook his head slowly.
"Eli………….let me tell you right now………….you will fall in and out of love a million times before your ready to finally settle down……….."
Eli raised an eyebrow, and Jake gave a half smile; "don't think that she's the only, or last one…………whoever she is………….don't throw everything away for her"
ELI if you only knew who you were talking about.
"But………." Eli tried.
"If a girl is the only thing keeping you here, you should seriously consider if she's worth it………..before you throw away such an opportunity………..and close this door" Jake got up, and walked towards his office.
"Now go home" he mumbled, and closed the door, leaving Eli sitting in a stunned silence.
