State Of Grace

Chapter 43 - Betty

Gracie whizzed through goodbyes to her family, avoiding prolonged eye contact and cutting hugs short, too heartsick and mentally disorganized after her session with Dr. Ellis to feel the pain of leaving them again. It was different this time, she had her phone now and could call her family whenever she wanted, but if she allowed herself to feel it would be just as painful as the last time she was taken from her home and placed somewhere else.

Anita spoke kind words on the drive to Greg's house, telling Gracie that after this week, no matter the choice the judge made, at least it would all be over, and that one way or another, a new life would begin.

Greg and Jasper were both waiting on the doorstep for the arrival of their newest family member. Greg was cheerful and stood tall with accomplishment, while Jasper stood a few feet behind him, shoulders tense and head hung in apprehension, but he smiled when Gracie hugged him and giggled when she brushed off Greg's attempt for a handshake. Gracie smiled too when she was relieved to see that no more bruises had appeared on Jasper.

She hadn't spent much time thinking about Jasper while she was away, it was hard enough when her family crept into her mind, let alone her baby brother all alone in a house with a man made of anger and prejudice.

Greg reeked of alcohol again and she hoped Anita would smell it too, but she rushed off, mumbling frustratedly about another child to rehome.

"Welcome home," Greg said as he shut the door. He carried Gracie's bags upstairs as she and Jasper trailed behind him. "I think you'll like your room, I've had it painted just for you, new furniture new everything, got the bathroom remodeled too."

He opened the door to reveal a pink palace. A white four-poster bed sat in the middle of the oversized bedroom, it was three times the size of Gracie's bed at home, adorned with layers of puffy pink quilts and shiny satin throw pillows. Two matching nightstands sandwiched the bed, painted blush with gold leaf designs carefully applied in floral patterns. On top of the hardwood floor was a ginormous baby pink and green Persian rug that stretched from wall to wall. There was even a sitting area, two pink sheepskin armchairs, and a matching footstool opposite a TV the size of a billboard.

"Well, what do you think?" Greg asked, dropping her bags carelessly on the floor.

It was beautiful and astounding, and most young girls' dreams come true, but Gracie already had her dream bedroom, at home with her sisters. "It's nice," she said with a straight face, and looked at Jasper who was stifling a laugh, he knew that it wasn't to Gracie's taste at all.

"You haven't seen the best bit yet," he guided Gracie across the room to a floor-to-ceiling window, only it wasn't a window, it was a door that opened onto a balcony.

"Wow," Gracie said, trying to sound just grateful enough that she didn't seem rude.

"No boys throwing rocks at the window though," Greg joked. Even though he knew for fact now that Gracie wasn't interested in boys, he was already doing everything in his power to ignore it.

Gracie laughed too, and let Greg believe it was with him and not at him, "Somehow I don't think that will be a problem."

Greg left Jasper and Gracie to talk while he went to his office to finish some work, but both kids knew he was going to finish his drink.

"So, you don't have a boyfriend then?" Jasper asked, sitting on one of the chairs while Gracie walked around the room inspecting the details.

Gracie laughed again, "Not interested in boys," she said.

"Oh, so you're, like, into older guys?" Jasper's face screwed up, "Gross."

"Jasper, I'm gay," she swatted him with one of the pillows.