Unfolding Truths: KO x LMM

Three

That last sentence stuck with Karen throughout the rest of the housewarming party. They say alone in a corner now, another beer in hand. "But she's never been you." Lin's words rang through their head. They took a sip of their beer as Gracie came back down and plopped down beside them.

"Hey Mom." Gracie said, their notebook in hand. "I guess I'm adding this crazy day to the homework assignment."

"I guess so mija." Karen said. "I'm gonna go unpack my things. I would go greet your Uncle Chris while I do."

"Okay." Gracie stood up, placing her notebook on the couch. She slowly trudged over to her uncle.

"Gracie! Long time, no see, kiddo!" Chris said, giving her a big hug. "How was Wisconsin? Did you like school out there?"

"I hated school out there. Almost as much as I did out here. If the kids in my classes hadn't watched the In The Heights movie, they'd listened to the Moulin Rouge! The Musical soundtrack." Gracie muttered.

"Ah, I see the teenage angst is setting in." Chris chuckled.

"I got way too much detention for Mom's liking." Gracie chuckled. "I don't care about whether or not I get detention. I'd rather be known for getting detention nearly everyday than as Karen Olivo's daughter."

"Is being known for being Karen's kid really that bad?" Chris asked.

"Yeah. It's the worst. I hate it. Only being known because of Karen Olivo. It's annoying. All I hear is 'Karen Olivo this' and 'Karen Olivo that'. I wish they weren't my mom sometimes." Gracie said, not knowing Karen stood behind her.

"I didn't realize you thought that." They said, hands on their hips.

"I'll leave you two to chat." Chris said, getting up and walking toward the others. Karen took his seat.

"So, you wish I weren't your mother? That is completely and utterly heartbreaking to hear." Karen wiped at a tear that fell down their cheek.

"Whatever." Gracie stood, going to walk away.

"Gracie Miranda Olivo, you sit your ass back down!" Karen shouted, perhaps too loud. Lin turned to face the two of them.

"Miranda?" Gracie asked. "My middle name is Miranda? You've never told me that, let alone used it. And why are you yelling at me in front of everyone?! DO YOU KNOW HOW EMBARRASSING THAT IS?! I NEVER ASKED FOR MY MOM TO BE SOME BROADWAY ACTOR! I NEVER ASKED TO NEVER KNOW MY DAD AND I NEVER ASKED TO BE YANKED FROM STATE TO STATE FOR YOUR STUPID CAREER CHOICE!" Gracie screamed, now angry.

"I don't know why I used your middle name, I'm sorry, but," Karen started.

"Of course there's a fucking but in there!"

"But you have been extremely disrespectful and quite frankly, I don't really want to look at you right now."

"Good, because I don't want to see you either! Ever again!" Gracie said, grabbing her winter jacket and running off.

"Gracie!" Karen called after her. "Fuck."

Lin grabbed his coat. "I'll help you look for her." Lin said gently.

"Stay the fuck out of this, Lin!" Karen's voice raised slightly as the grabbed their coat and ran out of the house to find their daughter. Mandy followed suit with her jacket and chased after her best friend.

"Karen! Let me help you." Mandy said. "Gracie is my goddaughter. I should be out here to help you."

"Thank you, Mandy."

"Of course." The two searched in silence, other than calling out for Gracie every few moments, walking for about a mile. "How long do you think you can keep this secret from them?"

"What secret? From who?" Karen asked. "GRACIE!" They called out for what felt like the millionth time.

"That Lin is Gracie's father?"

"I don't ever plan on telling him. Or her."

"Karen, you should tell both of them."

"How can I?! Gracie would hate me!" Karen said. "I don't care what Lin thinks of me, I never will, but I do care about what my daughter thinks! I will always care about what Gracie thinks of me. Now we need to stop talking about this and find my daughter!"

"Okay. But once we find her, you need to seriously consider telling them."

"I'll think about it." Karen whispered. "GRACIE!"

There was a muffled sob behind the post office's drop box. Karen looked behind it, seeing their daughter there. "Go away! I am not coming home!"

"Gracie, everyone has been worried sick about you." Mandy said, kneeling next to her goddaughter.

"I won't go anywhere with them." Gracie spat through her clenched teeth. "I refuse!"

"Then come with me." Mandy reached her hand out to him."

Gracie never said a word as she took Mandy's hand in her own. Mandy pulled her up and pulled her into a hug. "Let's get you home. I just need to say something to your mom."

"Okay." Gracie nodded gently.

Mandy walked to Karen. "Just walk a few feet behind me. I love you, but she needs space from you."

"Okay. I get it. I'll see you both at the house."

"We'll see you there."

As Mandy and Gracie walked toward the house, Gracie sighed loudly. "I upset my mom, didn't I?" She asked.

"I think you just worried them." Mandy said, rubbing Gracie's back gently.

"Okay." The teen sighed as the two reached the house. "Mom will send me to my room anyway so I'm just gonna head upstairs." She said, going toward the staircase as Karen walked in.

"Gracie, honey, wait. Enjoy the party with me." They said, slowly walking toward her.

"No, no thanks. I'm just going to go upstairs. Please just...leave me alone." She turned on her heel, heading upstairs to her room. A few moments later, everyone downstairs could hear Hamilton blaring from her room.