PARTY

(And another chapter for Grace as God's instrument…)

X-X-X-X-X

1-16-04, Friday morning.

"Have a party, Girlfriend."

Grace looks over her shoulder and sees an unknown, nerdy little freshman.

"Get lost, creep."

"Your parents are on their way to Baltimore and you have the house to yourself all weekend long. You should have a party. It's what kids do."

Grace sighs. "You again. Isn't it bad enough I had to listen to your dumb anti drug lecture? And what was that crack about having experienced a really good kiss?"

"Weren't you able to relate? I saw you looking at Luke Girardi."

Grace blushes. Last week at the science fair, she and Luke presented their hastily constructed rail gun, and to their surprise, it worked (too well). After the excitement was winding down, and while all of those silly feathers were floating around, Grace couldn't help think this was a very romantic situation and some couple should take advantage of it to kiss. The same thought occurred to Luke, and throwing caution to the wind, he leaned in for a kiss that Grace reciprocated. For Luke it was the reward for months of diligent flirtation and lit the fuse for future romantic overtures. For Grace it was a moment of instant regret and guilt. After all, she has been with Steve Ramsey for nearly a month now...

"Wow, you have no concept of personal space, do you? And now you want me to throw a party at my house? You know how I feel about having people in my home."

"Due mostly to your concerns about your mother's drinking. She and your father are away visiting relatives, so that concern is eliminated. Have a party."

Nerd Boy God walks away, giving the usual backhand wave and Grace sighs again. She is a subdefective, a deliberate outsider who avoids interaction with groups of people and one who values her privacy above all else. Since becoming an instrument of God, Grace has had to step outside of her comfort zone a lot, but Grace Polk the party-giver? Who would even come?

X-X-X-X-X

At lunch Grace finds herself in the awkward position of having Luke to her right and Steve to her left. Both guys feign politeness toward each other, but they each know they share the same goal. For Grace she has the problem of being attracted to both guys, and okay – a little flattered to have two guys 'wooing' her. In a semi-official way Grace has been hanging with Steve ever since they went to the Crystal Ball together, but you couldn't really call what they are doing 'dating'. Mostly she, Adam and Steve have been re-establishing a longtime friendship that broke off abruptly when tragedy struck the group in the form of Adam's mother's suicide and Steve's mother's nasty divorce and hasty remarriage. The emotional strain at that time had been more than two boys could handle, and each, in their own way, went to a dark place. Now that Steve is taking medication to modify his anger, he has toned down the hostility. (Only two fights in a month instead of his usual two a day.) Often, after hanging with Adam for awhile, Steve would drive Grace home and they would share a light kiss or two. Grace has found this…confusing. To her surprise she likes kissing Steve, but wonders why he isn't doing the typical teen horndog routine of trying to…get more. She has concluded Steve is so concerned about damaging their renewed friendship, which is important to his recovery, he is holding back.

As for Luke…Grace admits to herself there is a strong attraction there. That kiss…at night Grace often thinks of that science fair kiss and wishes she were free to share more with Luke. They spend a lot of time together as their class schedules line up at several points in the day, and she spends a lot of time at his house studying. Grace is becoming very aware of how fond she is of the tall, blond geek and of course, she knows he is very attracted to her. Acting out of concern for her safety, and more than a little jealousy, Luke has been hinting that her relationship with Ramsey might not be safe. True, Steve has modified his behavior and is no longer considered a bullying, psycho gun nut, but that doesn't guarantee he is safe to be with. For Luke the presence of a rival has made him bolder in his pursuit of Grace, and he has even proposed they go on dates to various events. For Grace, wanting to be there for Steve in this delicate time, it has reluctantly meant turning down all invitations, but Luke continues to pursue.

"Grace, are you throwing a party?" Adam asks as he arrives at the table.

"Yeah, but how do you know? So far I've only told Luke and Steve."

Adam shrugs. "I don't know. It's all over school."

"It is? I'm just beginning to plan this dumb party and everyone already knows?"

Steve says, "I may have mentioned it to a few people."

Luke adds, "Me too."

"Well, it was bound to get out. Rove, you're coming, right?"

Adam hesitates. "Grace, you know I hate parties."

"Come on, Dude. My first party – I have to have my oldest, closest friend there."

Steve adds, "Yeah Adam, you'll have fun. You might even meet a girl."

"As if."

Luke says, "At the very least, you could make some interesting sketches of party mode teens."

As Adam contemplates this idea, Glynis and Friedman approach the table…

Friedman reports, "Seventy five confirmed guests."

Glynis adds, "Twenty of them seniors."

Grace groans in dismay. "Seventy five? What have I got myself into? How will I manage?"

Steve and Luke say in unison, "I'll help." (They then briefly glare at each other.)

"Uh, thanks guys. I wonder what I should serve…"

Luke suggests, "Chips and dip, plus stuff spread on crackers…"

Steve adds, "And pizza at some point, if you have the dough. No pun."

"Yeah, the 'rents left me a wad of cash to cover any contingency."

"And a keg!" Friedman says.

"Or two?" Glynis adds.

Grace hesitates. She is opposed to drinking due to her mother, but on the other hand, she certainly is experienced in handling drunks. With a gulp, Grace responds, "What's a party without a keg?"

X-X-X-X-X

"You're sure this buddy of yours can get us a keg?"

Ramsey replies, "Wally isn't exactly a 'buddy'. He's just a guy I know who occasionally sells a few beers to teens he thinks he can trust - for a few extra bucks. But I've never bought more than a six-pack from the guy. I'm not sure how well this keg idea will go over. Grace, are you sure you even want a keg?"

Grace understands Steve's concern. He is one of the few people who knows the truth about her mother, but has always kept the secret.

"Of course I don't want it, but if this party is to be a success, and I'm thinking for some reason it has to be a big success, then we have to have liquor of some kind. We'll go with one keg of light beer and try to keep the guests from getting too drunk."

They enter the liquor store and Ramsey frowns at the clerk behind the counter. "Problem. That's not Wally."

"I thought you said he always works this time of day."

"He does, or did. It's been a couple of months since I've been in here. What now?"

"We go forward with the plan."

"How do you know he will sell you the beer?"

"I don't, but these clerks work for little more than minimum wage. A lot of them must be open to bribery, otherwise where do teens get all of their booze?"

While Ramsey remains near the door, Grace walks confidently toward the clerk. Grace knows she has a mature face, and people often mistake her for being older than her true age. Maybe this time that will work in her favor.

"I need a keg of light beer for a party I'm having tomorrow night."

The clerk, a heavy set man, takes a drag on his cigarette. Grace refrains from reminding him that Arcadia recently passed a smoking ban. "Got i.d.?"

"Look, I'll pay you in cash and...throw in an extra 20?"

"Grace, what makes you think you need alcohol for your party? Doritos, Funyums, six packs of soda and a stereo that works. You're done."

Grace sighs. "And how many teenage parties have you thrown? When the first guests arrive and realize I'm throwing a 'dry' party, they'll text every kid in school and no one will show up. Or do you want the party to fail? For once, clue me in on the thinking here."

"I just want you to have a party, Grace. Enjoy an evening of recreation - making sure Steve and Luke are there."

"Of course they're coming, and since you won't guide me, I'll do things the way I see fit - including booze."

"Not from this store, and you will find at all of the other liquor stores in town, you will be carded."

Grace fumes for a moment, and just before storming out she charges, "You're setting a bad example. God shouldn't smoke!"

X-X-X-X-X

1-17-04, Saturday.

Grace looks around her home and sighs when she thinks of what the house will have to endure over the next few hours. At least they have done their best to be prepared...

"One last time over the checklist. Lamps and easily breakable bric-a-brac?"

Ramsey replies, "Secured in the garage. All of the overhead lighting has been tested and is working - including dimmer switches."

"Bedrooms and all family photos?"

"All family pictures are in the bedrooms, and the doors have been locked. Upstair and downstair baths are accessible and well stocked with...essentials." Luke replies.

"Good. If any romantic couple ever made it into my parent's bedroom..." (Grace shudders.) "And moving on: liquor cabinet?"

"Padlocked." Ramsey replies with a knowing nod. Before Luke arrived to help, Grace and Steve searched the house and found several hidden bottles of whiskey - her mother's stash. Fortunately her mother orders wine by the case and a few missing bottles will go unnoticed...

"Refreshments?"

Luke answers, "Plenty of chips and dips, cookies, assorted canapes, and pizza is scheduled to arrive about halfway through the night. There's coffee, tea, lots of soft drinks and...the wine punch. Grace, are you sure?"

"It's mostly fruit juice, but with enough red wine to smell and taste like liquor. In theory you could get drunk from this punch, but you would have to drink like a gallon of the stuff. I think we're safe..."

The doorbell rings.

"Okay, start the music and let's get this disaster under way."

X-X-X-X-X

To Grace's surprise her party is a big success. Just about every kid she knows, and a lot she doesn't know, are enjoying themselves with dancing, snacking, poker, and varying degrees of making out. There is a lot of mingling, and several couples have their start as a result of this party. Grace wonders if that is the idea - that God is more involved in love connections than she could have imagined. At any rate, the party is loud, joyous and a lot less damaging than Grace anticipated. Only at one point did she have to put her foot down when some girl she doesn't know tried to skateboard through the house...

"No way. One scratch on these floors and I'll make you eat that board!"

No more skateboarding. With Luke and Steve helping, they manage to keep a lid on the more than allowed level of partying. (Several couples make it upstairs only to find the bedrooms locked.) One jerk tries to pass around a joint to smoke, but Grace, with Ramsey's help, tosses the guy out. By the time the pizza arrives, Grace has managed to become calm about all of these people in her home and finds that she is actually enjoying herself. She dances with Steve and Luke a couple of times, as well as a few other guys. She even manages to coax Adam out on the 'dance floor' for one dance. By Adam's standards, even he is in party mode (mostly he sketches, but he does manage to talk to a few of his fellow art students). While enjoying a slice of pizza, Grace notices that her best friend has spent most of the night with a short, dark haired girl who seems vaguely familiar. As they talk on the couch, Grace drifts by to check out their conversation...

"I still think you would have won first prize at the art show. Your piece, 'Ascension', was brillant."

"Thanks, Iris." Adam replies, obviously interested in this 'Iris'.

"I still can't believe someone vandalized it just before the show."

"Yeah, that was hard to take, but in one way it helped me. I was getting kind of depressed for awhile, but remembering what someone did to my art made me so mad, it kept me from going deeper into a dark place."

Grace moves on, feeling a bit guilty. Back when God gave her the assignment of keeping Adam's sculpture out of the art show, taking it apart with a bolt cutter was the only thing she could think of. It took time, but she eventually understood the good ripples of that particularly difficult assignment. Grace continues to mingle and notices Joan Girardi and her boyfriend Dax Hibbing making out in a corner of the room. Grace tolerates the presence of Joan only for Luke's sake. Otherwise, she would never allow the ditzy cheerleader, social arbiter wannabe in her home.

As Joan and Dax kiss and lightly caress, she hopes this is as far as they will go tonight. A month ago, after being pressured by Dax, she gave herself to him on the night of the Crystal Ball. It was awful. Okay, she knows the first time is often bad, but over the last four weeks there has been no improvement in their physical relationship. Dax wants to do it all of the time, but he is truly inept at love-making. Quick and clueless, Dax seems utterly unaware of Joan's satisfaction - or rather, total lack of satisfaction. She has taken to faking her 'pleasure' in order to keep her boyfriend happy. Joan's fear is that if Dax suspects how much she hates being intimate with him, he will be offended and end their relationship. Joan is very aware that having the wrestling team captain as her boyfriend has elevated her to the highest level of social standing at Arcadia High. Now, if only she can convince herself that this is all worth it...

X-X-X-X-X

A mile away in an unmarked police car, Det. Carlisle and Sgt. Williams watch the abandoned house where a meth lab has temporarily set up business. There is an unusual amount of activity and the two detectives believe the drug dealers are about to move their base of operation...

"So, are we going in?" Carlsile asks.

"Still waiting on the call." Williams replies, referring to their immediate superior, Will Girardi, who has recently been made head of detectives in the reorganized police/sheriff's department.

"He's not the chief anymore." Carlisle responds, feeling a little annoyed. Will is away for a weekend with his wife, but he is still trying to run things from afar instead of trusting his detectives. It's not like he and Williams pinned their badges on yesterday.

Before Toni Williams can reply, her cell phone rings. Caller i.d. says Lt. Weinstein, who is the night watch commander. "Williams."

"Sergeant, I have a personal favor to ask you. We have had several complaints of a loud, teenaged party at 616 Oak Street."

"Are you really calling me away on a noise complaint?"

"I know, and normally I would just send a black and white, but that address belongs to my rabbi and his wife, and they are away for the weekend. They have a teenage girl. If you could handle this 'discreetly', I would definitely owe you a big favor."

Williams sighs. Helping out a superior officer with a personal problem has always a good career move. Besides, Will Girardi still hasn't called.

X-X-X-X-X

In the Polonsky family kitchen, Steve Ramsey diligently watches the crowd for signs of trouble, feeling oddly honored that Grace has trusted him to be 'security'. Occasionally he will stop an amourous couple on their way upstairs to let them know that everything but the bathroom is locked. There have been a few muttered disappointments about this, although that Joan girl seemed curiously relieved. No one has given Steve much trouble. Even though he has toned down his behavior a lot the last few weeks, he still has a reputation that intimidates.

A short, scruffy looking brunette approaches, looks Steve up and down and then smiles. "I know you. You're Ramsey - the bully, the gun nut, the trouble maker..."

"Yeah? Well, I know you too. You're Bonnie, the school's well known...uh..."

"Skank? Slut? Ho? That last one isn't true, by the way. I give it away for free." Bonnie says with a giggle.

"You're a little drunk."

Bonnie smiles. "Yeah, I had a couple before I came to the party. Just as well - this wine punch couldn't give anyone a buzz. You wouldn't know where I could get something with a little higher octane, would you?"

"The liquor cabinet is padlocked."

"With an impressive chain - yeah, I saw. But I'll bet you, as the sheriff-of-the-party, have the keys."

It is true. Grace has trusted Ramsey to handle all security matters, including keeping track of the keys to all that has been locked up.

Bonnie smiles again. "I thought so! I bet you even have the keys to the bedrooms. What's the matter Ramsey, you against people having fun? Going a little wild? You've been known to be wild."

Ramsey gulps. Clearly this Bonnie girl, with her own wild reputation, is flirting with him. "I...I'm trying to change."

"Not too much, I hope. I like the bad boys. They're hot!" Bonnie says with another giggle. "Are you still a bad boy, Ramsey? Or has Grace Polk tamed you? Huh? Does she carry your nads around in her back pocket?"

Steve's face begins to redden. He steps closer. "I make my own decisions. I'm my own man!"

"So, you're a 'man'? Why don't you prove it? Slip me a bottle of something stronger than this stupid punch, follow me upstairs, and I'll test just how much of a man you are."

Bonnie walks away, confident she has her prey hooked. As she slowly climbs the backstairs, she begins to unbutton her blouse. Quickly, Ramsey fumbles for the keys...

X-X-X-X-X

In the living room, just off the foyer, Grace is in the midst of the thickest part of the crowd. Still, she has no problem spotting Cute Boy God the moment he enters the room. He approaches, holds out his arms and Grace automatically begins dancing with him.

"How did you like your party?"

"It was...okay."

"Social interaction didn't turn out to be the nightmare you expected?"

Grace smiles. "It helped that my parents are on the other side of the state, but yeah, not so bad. I'm still wondering why?"

"Sometimes you need to pause from your work and life's routine in order to have a little recreation. In other words, a time to re-create, to begin again."

"What does this have to do with Luke and Steve?"

"When you have a fresh start, you need to look about and redefine whatever is not clear."

"And my relationships with Steve and Luke are not clear. Yeah, I get that. I'm just not sure how to...clarify."

"Follow your heart."

They dance for a few moments while Grace considers Cute Boy's words...

"Ramsey needs me. Besides, he was an assignment."

"Not a permanent one. You were to help Steve in a critical moment of his life, and you got him through that. He is in therapy again, back on his medication, and he has the support of his old friends, which is a big help."

"And the...romantic stuff between me and Steve?"

"At your highly hormonal age, friendships with the opposite sex often get confusing."

Grace looks over Cute Boy's shoulder and sees by the stairs in the foyer, Glynis doing her shy best to flirt with Luke. She has been at it most of the night, and since they have a lot in common, Luke has been slowly responding to her advances. An unexpected stab of jealousy goes through Grace's heart.

"So if I give Steve the heave-ho, it won't cause a relapse? I don't want the guilt of having him fail in his recovery."

"Would you stick with Steve, sacrifice your own happiness, to help him?"

Grace gulps but nods. "If I have to. I know how rough Steve has had it the last few years, and he was a friend for a long time. If I have to stay with him to keep him on the straight and narrow...I will."

"Many people believe in the concept of a 'noble sacrifice'. Helping is always good, but eventually people have to make their own way along life's path. Steve Ramsey derserves the opportunity to have his own free will choices - to succeed or fail on his own. You of all people should understand that, Grace."

"Like...the way my Dad is with Mom?"

"Living your life solely to prevent another's fall, even with the best of intentions, deprives both of their free will choices to find their best path. The support your father gives, the bubble of illusion he creates to prevent your mother's fall, deprives them of the chance for a better life."

"Or a worse one. I get that there is sometimes a need for tough love, but Dad acts out of love and kindness. He...braces Mom in a way that keeps her functioning. If he didn't...their marriage could fail."

"When love becomes an unyielding 'brace' that keeps you from moving forward, it is no longer a kindness to either person. Marriage, like most of life, is meant to flow like a stream. It was never meant to be a pool of stagnation."

Grace sighs. "So, I need to 're-create' my relationships with Steve, Luke and my family. That's a lot."

"You are up to the challenge, Grace. And now, your party ends..." Cute Boy God says as he walks away, giving the backhand wave.

The doorbell rings. The police have arrived.

To Be Continued.

Please review.

Thanks to Charles the Bold for his suggestions regarding this chapter.