The Days After

Before it all happened

4 YEARS AGO

"Grace, honey," said a gentle voice, "You gotta get up, starting 8th grade today, remember?"

"Okay, mommy," mumbled Grace with a sigh.

"Foods downstairs," she said, exiting her room.

Grace gets out of bed to get dressed. She puts no real effort into getting dressed. School isn't exactly her favorite thing. She walks slowly down the stairs with labored steps and slumps into the chair to eat breakfast.

"Hmmm," she sighs.

Her mother turns around and leans back against the sink, coffee cup in hand.

"What are you are you hemming and haaaawwwng about now lil' girl," she asked, taking a sip of coffee.

"School," she mumbled.
"You smart as a whip, Grace, didn't you tell me school was easy?" she asked.
"Yea, but that's kinda the problem. It's easy, but it's not easy stuff I like to do, you know?" said Grace.
"Well," her mom said, leaning forward, "What do you like to do?" she asked, taking another sip of coffee.
"Well, I like to-"

"GOOD MORNING, LADIES!" Grace's dad said, entering the kitchen.
"Hey, Daddy!" said Grace.
"Good Morning Frank, you're full of energy today," she said with a chuckle.

Frank rushes through the kitchen, making a beeline to the front door.

"Big day today!!"

He reaches the door.

"Okay, Frank, go get'em," she said smiling.
"See ya, Daddy!" said Grace.
"Love ya'll," he said he swung the door open and walked out.

The door closed quickly behind him.

"That man..." she began to chuckle.

Just the door burst back open.

"Jeanine!"
"Yes, Frank?
"I got the email last night."

Jeanine's face went blank.

"We'll talk about it tonight," he said as he closed the door.

Grace's mom was 40 years old but didn't look a day over 25. At that moment, she looked to be pushing 60. She was pale about the face and expressionless.

"Mommy, you okay?" Grace asked with a concerned look.

There was a pause, and then she suddenly came back to herself.

"Oh nothing, just some important work stuff, come on, let's get you on that bus!" she said shakily.
"You sure, mommy?" Grace asked.
"Yea! No need to worry" she smiled at grace.
"Well, you don't sound sure," she said thoughtfully.
"No, no, me and Daddy got it," she said, sending Grace off to the bus.
"Okay, Mommy see you later!" said Grace boarding the bus.

Jeanine quickly goes back inside and closes the door behind her. She slid to the floor in a panicked state, with her fist on her forehead.

"This can't be really about to happen," she started, "Why would Frank get that email today?"
"What are we gonna do, and what are we gonna tell Grace?"