The Days After

The Calm

Jeanine swung the door open with all her might preparing for the worse but then chuckled to herself.

"Oh my goodness." sighed Jeanine.
"What is it, mommy?" said Grace.

Jeanine shook her head and smiled.

"The dag'on trashcan was banging against the garage door!"

Grace laughed but only to cover up the sigh of relief.

"Maybe everything is fine, and it's all in my head." Grace thought.

"Nope, it's definitely not!" said Jeanine from the doorway.
"Huh?!"
"Oh, no baby, I was talking to your father. He just pulled up."

Then Grace heard footsteps coming from outside. Although she believed her father did arrive at home, the timing of her mother's response made her queasy. Something wasn't right, and Grace knew it in her gut. Grace absentmindedly tossed her phone into her bookbag and went to greet her dad. He was walking up the walkway when Grace saw him.

"Why don't you ever use the garage?" Jeanine asked.
"Well, I never know when I need to get going, baby," he responded.

Then he looked at Grace. He was taking her in for a moment, and sometimes it was unreal to him that he had a daughter.

"Hey, Daddy."
"Hey Monkey, How was your day?"
"I had an interesting day, at least I think so."
Frank dropped to a knee. "What was so interesting about it?"

For a moment, Grace considered telling her dad everything. About the chat with Principal Cardin, the strange looks she received all day, the cryptic conversations she'd had, and strange interaction with the young man as she was entering the bus lot. Grace thought that would make her feel better, but then what if her dad had no clue what to make of it?

"You know, the start of a new school year is all."
"Is that all?"

Grace looked up at the greying sky and put her finger on her lip.

"Hmmm, well, I think Marie likes one of her teachers."

Frank grabbed both of Grace's shoulders.

"You're a special little lady. Always remember that, Grace."

Then Frank stood up.

"Alright, now let's go head and get in this house! Looks like it's about to rain out here."

When they all got inside, Grace suddenly remembered her phone. She walked over and got it out of her bookbag, and unlocked it.

"Ah shoot! Marie called me three times. She's having a fit by now." murmured Grace.
Noticing Grace's slight distress. "Hey, you alright?"
"Oh yeah, mommy, just going to call Marie back."

Grace walked past her parents toward the stairs.

"Remember Grace, your my special little lady."
Grace stopped and turned. "I know, daddy."

She smiled and disappeared up the stairs. When she was out of earshot, Frank turned Jeanine.

"It's happening." Frank said flatly.

There was a pause before Jeanine spoke.

"Do we have any time?'

Frank just stared off into the distance. Jeanine thought Frank seemed strangely calm.

"At least Grace will have a chance."