Chapter 3
Some hours later, the house was completely silent with Grace's parents finally in bed. Grace's tears had stopped a while ago, but she had not moved from her bed. Finally, she did get up and walked quietly over to her dresser. Looking in the mirror above it, she studied herself. Her eyes were red from crying and her left cheekbone was all swollen and already getting dark. Looking down at her arm, she saw it too was being taken over by bruises.
Taking a deep breath, Grace turned around. She had thought long and hard about her life over the last couple of hours and had decided she wouldn't take it any longer. She walked determinedly over to her bed and pulled out leather duffel from underneath it.
After packing some clothes and her most valuable possessions, Grace went to her desk and wrote a quick note saying she would no longer put up with the abuse she took and was going to have her own life. She left it on her bed, slipped on her coat, and snuck out of the house. Praying it wouldn't wake anyone up, she started her truck and drove away.
It was well passed midnight when Grace pulled into Brenda's driveway. She had to say goodbye to her best friend. Knocking on the door, Grace waited a couple of minutes until the entryway light came on and Brenda and Gary opened the door. When Brenda saw Grace's face, she gasped.
"Grace, what happened? Did your father do this?"
Grace nodded miserably.
"Do you want us to call the police?" Gary asked.
"Do whatever you want about my parents," Grace said. "I'm leaving."
"Where are you going?" Brenda wanted to know.
"I don't know yet."
"Do you want to stay with us?"
Grace shook her head. "If my father found out he'd be so upset and would force me to come home. I don't want to drag you into this."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I want to get as far away from here as I can. I'll let you know when I get settled somewhere. Please tell Randy that I'm sorry for just leaving and that he's been a very understanding employer."
"I will." Tears started falling down Brenda's face and she pulled Grace into a hug. "I'm so sorry about this Grace. Please be careful and take good care of yourself."
"I will, Brenda. Thank you for being my friend."
They said goodbye and Grace hurried back to her truck and drove away into the night. A couple of hours later, she pulled into a rest stop near the beach and got out. She was too tired to keep driving. Walking out into the sand, Grace stood still as she listened to the sound of the ocean and let the breeze blow her hair and coat. For a moment, her imagination made her feel like she was a pirate standing on a Caribbean beach. Smiling to herself, she sat down at the base of a tree and within a few minutes fell fast asleep.
