Grace Under Pressure

Chapter Eleven

"Someone visiting?" Jack was rubbing his eyes with his little fists.

Jennifer didn't even speak. She simply held up her chubby little arms to be held. I leaned down and scooped her up in my arms. "I don't know, love. Let's go and see." Holding Jennifer with one arm, I held out my free hand to Jack.

When we arrived in the living room, it was to find Perry arguing with our guest. It was my mum.

"Look, lady, Grace has made it crystal clear that she doesn't want to see you." Perry was glaring at my mum and standing his ground. "Please, don't make me call the cops and turn this into a Live P.D. Episode."

"This is important," Mum insisted. "I need to speak with Grace. Just one conversation and I'll leave. She'll never have to see me again."

I set Jennifer down on the floor beside her brother and turned to speak to Jack. "Jack, sweetheart, why don't you take your sister and go and watch the telly in my and Daddy's room?" I knew that Jack knew how to work the DVR and we had a good supply of kids shows and movies recorded.

Once I heard the bedroom door close, I walked over to join Perry at the front door. Crossing my arms over my chest, I glared at my mother. "What could possibly be so important that you'd show up at the door of my home in the middle of the night? How did you even get this address anyway?"

"A nice doctor at your hospital...Dr. Dorian, I believe."

"Lucy's gonna die." Perry's head looked like it was about to explode. He turned to look at me. "Tell Black Ricky to start making the funeral arrangements."

I rolled my eyes and sighed. If Perry could only hear some of the things that left his mouth, he'd understand why everyone thought he was nutters.

"Grace, I wouldn't be here if this wasn't seriously important. I know how you feel about me and you have every right to feel the way that you feel." Mum's face actually showed desperation. She was telling the truth. Something was really wrong.

I held up a finger. "I'll give you one cup of tea to say what you need to say. Then I want you gone, out of my life for good."

Mum nodded. "I'll take it."

I stepped aside to let her in and Perry pulled me off to the side. "Gracie-Face, you don't have to do this. You don't owe that woman a damn thing."

"I know," I nodded and assured him. "But I also know that she wouldn't be here if it wasn't serious. I need to know."

"I get it, baby," he leaned down and gently kissed me. "I'm not getting laid tonight, am I?" I knew he was only messing around as he pouted.

"Probably not, no, love."

"Damn it."