Someday we'll know
why the sky is blue

"Geoff, what are you doing here?" Grace wasn't expecting him and certainly didn't want him to see Eli sleeping in his boxers in her bed, even if he was alone. 'Eli in his boxers...later Grace, think about it later. You've got to explain yourself now.' Grace was nervous and guilty around her fiance and that didn't seem normal to her since nothing happened with Eli...ever.

Geoff smiled and said, "Well Grace, I wanted to surprise you. We're getting married in two days and you didn't seem yourself last night. I wanted to see that beautiful smile of yours I love so much. Flowers usually do the trick. Not today though huh? I'm sorry. I should have called first. Do you want me to leave?" Geoff was beginning to feel uncomfortable and completely out of place. He took a step closer and placed a hand on her cheek. "It seems I was the one who was surprised. Why did you fall asleep in the garage? Eli said you'd gone up to ask him a question and fell asleep waiting for him to get out of the shower. You didn't see anything you shouldn't have, did you?" Geoff laughed a little, as Grace looked horrified.

"I was kidding Grace. It's okay, he told me he was already in the shower before you got up there. Grace, what's wrong? Are you all right? There's something you aren't telling me and I can't for the life of me figure out what it is. Is it the wedding? Is it Eli? I know he hasn't been around for a couple years but is it that bad having him back here?" Geoff never realized how close he was to the truth. He seemed closer to knowing the truth than Grace did, and that scared her.

She took a step backward and awkwardly walked around Geoff to look out her window. "No, don't be silly. You don't have to leave. I was just, well, you did surprise me." She stopped a moment and turned to face him. "Thank you for the flowers, they're beautiful. I'm sorry I wasn't in here sleeping so you could wake me up. I suppose the romantic moment was lost when you realized it was Eli asleep in here." Grace managed to laugh, trying not to sound too nervous. "I guess it has been strange knowing he's back here...back in the garage and all. All of us except Jessie are in this house and it's just weird for each of us for different reasons I suppose. Those years we all lived here were often difficult. We basically hated each other when Eli and Jessie first moved in. It was awkward and different, none of us liked it, and we seemed to fight all the time. After Eli, Jessie and I weren't here together, we realized how much we in fact cared about one another. I guess that's why Jessie and I are so close now. I'm rambling on and on about the past aren't I? We should be concentrating on the future. So, are we going somewhere for breakfast or did you want to stay here for one of my mother's famous breakfasts that have been known to feed armies?" Grace was hoping for the breakfast out when Rick appeared in the doorway.

"I don't mean to interrupt but actually Grace, I was thinking of taking Geoff out for breakfast. A just the guys kind of breakfast. I called your dad and he's on his way over. What do you say Geoff? Are you interested?" Rick looked at Geoff with a grin while inside he was praying Geoff would readily accept his invitation.

"I was planning on taking Grace out for breakfast but if you want, I'd love to go with you both." 'Must please the in-laws.' He looked over at Grace who had a look of utter confusion on her face.

"Sure, its fine with me. I'll just see you later. Maybe we can have lunch somewhere special." 'What is that about? Why does Rick need to have breakfast with Geoff today of all days?'

Rick let out the breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "Great, sounds perfect. I'll tell Lily we'll be leaving as soon as Jake gets here. She's on her way downstairs to start breakfast. See you in a bit." Rick turned and was so happy Geoff accepted without any questions he almost ran into the doorjamb. With a chuckle, he continued to the stairs and down to the kitchen where Lily and Judy were waiting for his answer. "It's a go ladies. We're having a guys breakfast out."

"Hey Dad. Who's having a guys breakfast?"

Eli was sitting at the table and his father never saw him. Nor did his father pay any attention to the looks he was getting from his wife before he spoke. "Eli! When did you get here?"

"Uh Dad, I got here yesterday. I came into the kitchen a few minutes ago. I knew Lily would be fixing a huge breakfast. Wait, a guys breakfast sounds better. No offense. Where are we going?" Eli would have a chance to get to know Geoff. Now he can make sure he was good enough for Grace. His dad would help him. Lily shot a look to Judy begging her for an excuse. To her delight, Rick was the one to come up with a reason.

"Well Eli, I figured it would be a father type breakfast. Maybe you and Geoff could go out for a drink tonight or something after the rehearsal dinner. It would be more relaxed for the two of you and you wouldn't be annoyed by Jake and I asking him questions only father types would ask. Lil wants me to ask him certain questions...you know, since it would sound better coming from me rather than his fiancee's mother. Okay?" Rick was rambling and prayed he made some sort of sense. He smiled as he realized by the look on Eli's face he had.

"Okay Dad. You and Jake drill the poor guy and he and I will go out tonight and have a few drinks so he can recover." He breathed a sigh of relief. Eli wasn't exactly prepared for the awkwardness of being near Geoff after the surprise this morning and the fact that they're in love with the same woman. He'd have all day to prepare himself and come up with questions of his own to quiz Geoff. But what would he do all day? 'Where's Jess? She's supposed to be here this morning. Come on sis, save me.'

Eli stood and said, "I'm going to go outside and get some air okay? I may go ahead and get a shower too. I'll be back." He didn't want to tell them he heard Grace and what's-his-name coming down the stairs and couldn't be in the same room with the two of them. He stepped outside, took a deep breath, and ended up in his spot in the yard where he's spent most of his time since he got home.

"Home. Is this still home? Do I even want this to be home? No, it hurts too much to be back. This isn't home for me anymore." Eli sighed and looked up once again at the clear blue sky.

"Eli Sammler, haven't you learned by now you don't talk to yourself when people can hear you? Dear, sweet brother of mine, can you stop doing that? You've done it ever since I can remember and you're really going to get yourself in trouble. And why isn't this home for you anymore?" Jessie stood beside him and looked up at the mysterious sky with which he was so fascinated.

He turned, grabbed his sister and swung her around until she screamed for him to put her down. He laughed and set her down on the ground as he said, "Jessie, where have you been and why weren't you here yesterday? Well, never mind. That doesn't matter now. Just don't leave, got it? Okay, how have you been? How's college? Anything exciting? Any boyfriends? Girlfriends? Good parties? Come on, answer me! You wont tell me anything good in your letters or phone calls anymore. I've made up this fantasy college life for you, ya know. You're quite the student. All A's, member of various clubs and groups. Your sorority wants you as their president. All the handsome boys and beautiful girls are begging for your number. Am I close? By the way, any closer to to figuring anything out on that front? I know, I know, don't ask you anymore because you're tired of answering that question. You'll know when you're in love, no matter who it's with. You keep saying that you don't know, that there's no one special, and someday I'll believe it. You already know who you want." Eli was ecstatic to see his sister. She could save him this weekend. She would be his escape.

Jessie smiled. "Whoa, hold on. Too many questions all at once big brother. But first things first, do you know yet that you're in love? Don't give me that 'I don't have a clue what you're talking about' look you do so well with those eyebrows of yours and that smirk. I know you E and I've known for a long time exactly who you're in love with and you know it. Tell her already, please? The worst thing that could happen is that she gets married anyway and that will happen even if you don't tell her." Jessie has known for years her brother was in love with Grace. She confronted him once about it but he was high at the time and said more than he intended to and made her promise never to tell. Jessie kept her promise over the years and never told anyone the truth. She suspected they knew anyway and were simply afraid like she was and remained silent.

"Dammit Jess, could you please keep it down? The world does not need to know anything. And what exactly is that look I get? I don't get any looks. Stop it, I don't." Eli put his arm around her and said, "Okay Jess, I got here yesterday and things are already beyond bizarre. This is not the first time I've been out here in this spot staring up at the clear blue sky wondering how it got there and why I'm here. Watch yourself and I'll be back in a few. Gonna get a quick shower before breakfast. Oh, and what's- his-name is already here. You don't want to know what happened with that. Got any plans for today? Maybe we could go to lunch or something alone so we can catch up." Eli scooped her up once again, spun her around, and placed her down gently before heading to the garage, finally having a genuine smile on his face. 'Things will be okay.'