The Journal of Loneliest and Smartest Woman

I don't own anythingfrom Recess.

Chapter 11

"That's a start dear you'll be but now you have to face your father."

"I know mom and that will be the hardest part. I still don't think I'll be able to do it."

"I know dear but if you don't you will still have a heavy baggage to carry."

"Mom is the fact that I haven't lived in the life I needed to is why you came back?"

"Yes sweetie you needed to come back here to realize you do have people who care about you."

"I was scared to come back mom really I was."

"I know sweetie and I'm proud you went through with it."

"Thanks mom I'm surprised that Vince hasn't thrown me out."

"LOL oh you'll see why soon dear."

"Mom what are you laughing?"

"… GOT TO GO NOW! Remember dear you don't have to face your father alone."

"MOM PLEASE TELL ME!"

There is nothing now but silence which is a bit soothing. I begin to relax and bask in the joy of knowing my friends will always be there. Even those I didn't really realize that are my friends. I feel the bright sun on my face but I turn over to go back to sleep. I hear someone say, "Gretch oh Gretch wakey wakey."

I groan and see black then brown. I ask, "Vince what's with the wakey wakey part?"

He laughs saying, "I couldn't help myself Gretch. So are you going to visit your father?"

I nod and ask, "Why are you concerned for me?"

Vince still has that smile which leaves me perplexed but I just dismiss it for now. He answers, "Of course I'm concerned for you. What kind of friend would I be if I wasn't?"

I smile and say, "Thanks Vince. Today isn't going to be easy for me facing the man I haven't spoken or written to for years."

Vince puts his arm around Gretchen and says, "I know Gretch but it wasn't easy coming back to see us either but you did it."

I smile and say, "True…do you want to go with me?"

He hesitates and says, "Only if you would want me to."

I nod and say, "If you don't mind taking me to him. I have no idea where he lives now."

Vince laughs saying, "I hope you don't change too much Gretch. Maybe after we get back I'll kick your butt in basketball."

I smile and say, "Oh I don't know about me getting my butt kicked but a small game should be fine."

I walk to his car and he opens the door for me. I look at him in a sideways glance but again just shake it off. He seems to be planning something not sure what though. He has a nice car from the looks of it I would this is a Mercury but he has money to fix it. The seats are really comfy and the dash has lovely gray tent to it. You get a lot of space with the grayish blue seats moving back and forth. The structure of this car leaves me in awe for Vince's taste but then again he always seemed to have an eye for classy. The sound of the car somehow relaxes me and I begin to wonder about my own car. I shake my head and think about how my dear dad will welcome me. Vince asks, "Like my car Gretch?"

I answer, "Yes Vince yours is a little more, classy then mine, but I hope mine can get fixed."

Vince says, "Oh don't worry about that so much Gretch. Spinelle has become a pretty good mechanic along with some female boxing on the side."

I laugh saying, "Oh Spinelle was always the one to find herself trouble not to mention hot headed."

I just sit back and notice Vince smiling again. I am curious as to why he seems to smile around me now. 'Save that expedition for later now you have to face the man you have disowned all these years.' Vince slows down and stops at the curb. He says, "Here it is Gretch."

'Wow it looks nice but there have been noticeable scars on the house.' I get out and Vince stays with me. I guess he's making sure I don't faint or anything. We walk up to the door I knock on it. I hear a rather loud, "YEAH WHO IS IT?"

I gasp that gruff voice could only mean that it is my father. I say, "GRETCHEN GRUDNLER YOUR DAUGHTER!" There was a pause which causes me to worry. After that brief pause footsteps came to the door an eye part of the door opens. I see tears his eyes but he still had the incredibly stubborn streak. He opens the door and says, "Come in."

I look at Vince and he nods as he goes in his car saying, "I'll wait out here Gretch. Come back out when you're ready to go."

I walk in the place still looked nice but the smell of alcohol smothers the air. I sit down and look at him with curious eyes. 'I thought he'd be really happy with his new wife by his side. Now he looks really miserable and not to mention wasted. This has been going on for a few months from what I can see.' Suddenly he hugs me and says, "Gretchen my little Gretchen I'm so glad you deiced to bother visiting this sad excuse of a man."

For the first time I feel for him. I see how much he has suffered on his face. I ask, "What happened in the letters you sent you said you and your new love was happy to the point of it hurting?"

He sighs and says; "Well I found her making off with my money. She always hides her affairs with her lips and other things. When I found out the truth it hurt but what hurts more is that I abandoned my wife who is now dead and my only child. So I got a divorce and have become cold because of my stubborn and stupid temptation to cheat on your ever loving mother."

I smile and say, "Speaking of mom she has been contacting me. Please don't ask me the standard scientist questions. She told me you have been worried about me is that true?"

He smiles and says, "Yes I knew you had disowned me but I still love you. Have you dated dear?"

I shake my head and say, "My work and my determination on being alone sort of didn't allow me to have a significant other."

He smiles and says, "Gee it seems both of us have been in pain all this time and I see you have my stubborn ways. I do believe you when you say your mother contacted you. I haven't been lucky though all I have is dreams about how happy we use to be."

I hug him and say, "Maybe you'll get to see her more now that we have cleared the air between each other. I know I should've written to you but my petty pride wouldn't let me."

He smiles and asks, "How are all your friends? T.J stopped by not to long ago and told me he asked you to come back here."

I nod and say, "Well from what I can tell they're all successful but I have to ask why you didn't sound so welcoming?"

He sighs and says, "Well every since the Divorce people have been calling me bad names and not to mention my career went through the roof after all this happened. I do try to be more welcoming to your friends they've asked me about you and here I had nothing to tell them."

I cringe and say, "I know I've been bad at not keeping touch but I've held a grudge now for far too long."

He looks out the window and sees Vince waiting in his car. He looks at me and says, "I'll be right back dear." I sit there and wait as now my life seems to be getting back together. True in New York I've had a small peace of mind because I was on my own but I still wondered endlessly about things here. He walks back and with Vince behind him.

I look at both of them really confused as to why my dad would want Vince in here.

Vince asks, "So you wanted to challenge me in cooking? Are you sure you're not too tired to compete Mr. G?"

He chuckles saying, "Don't get too cocky LaSalle I have beaten you. Winner gets to have My Gretchen stay at their place all the time she's here."

Vince smiles gets really big and says, "Oh you're on Mr. G prepare to admit defeat."

I sit and watch both of them work they hands in the kitchen. This competition is really exciting normally I wouldn't be interested but now I am. Vince still uses his method of what smells right should be added. My dad had the recipes out for reference but mainly went with instinct too. After what seem to be hours they both hand me the dishes.

I ask, "What you want me to judge?"

They both nod and I sigh remembering the numerous amount of times I had be shanghaied into being a judge. I taste both plates both were good but Vince's had a more interesting flavor. I take one more taste and Vince's does stand out just barely of my fathers.

I look at them and say, "You both are good cooks but Vince's stand out just a hair above yours dad."

Vince smiles and says, "THAT'S A V FOR VINCE WHOOHOO!"

After that outburst he shakes my dad's hand saying, "Thanks for Competing Mr. G you're the only one I can really compete with in cooking."

He smiles and pats Vince on the back saying, "You can compete in anything but you have to have the right motivation you know what I'm talking about." I smile at this sportsmanship behavior between my dad and Vince, but that last part of what he said confuses me. I look at the clock and couldn't believe it was already 7:30 P.M neither did Vince. My dad whispers something to Vince and again the smile gets really wide. I look at him in a questioning glance as we walk out to his car that smile stays all the way back.

I ask, "What's so Interesting Vince?"

He turns to me saying, "Nothing Gretch good night. I hate to go to bed so early but I have to work tomorrow."

I frown and shout, "VINCENT LaSALLE TELL ME OR I WON'T LET YOU SLEEP PEACEFULLY!"

He gets really intrigued by the showing of my temper. I was frustrated at the fact men I worked with or were friends with always dose that to me my thoughts were shattered when Vince kissed me on my lips. He turns back to the stairs saying, "Night Gretch."

My mind went into so many loops it isn't funny. 'THIS DOESN'T ADD UP WHY DID HE KISS ME AND WHAT DID DAD TELL HIM? I HATE BEING LEFT IN THE DARK! However that kiss is intriguing to me it's the first actual kiss I've had. How sad a now 23 year old woman never being kissed until now oh well better late then never. I need to go to bed.'

I walk into my room and plop down on the bed with the thoughts still swirling. I go right to sleep as the night soothes me and slows my spinning thoughts so I can rest.

Whew this is the longest chapter I may add one more before I write the epologue. Thanks for the support of me continuing this Fic. I may do a sequel lol but one a bit brighter then this story.

Ducks-rule-World: Thanks for your praises and pet peeve of this story I hope this long chapter will satisfy you. Thanks for the bowl ofravioli it was good. See you in next chapter.