The Life And Times Of Rachel Grape

A Mother's Dream

After their nightly session, Elise sided up to Gilbert, but about three Elise had a vivid dream, about her baby. SHE was going to have a baby and she could not shake this one off....  Her dreams sometimes came true.  Elise stirred.   Gilbert asked what was wrong.   She didn't want to alarm him and went back to sleep.

It was a Thursday and Rachel had a flashback. It was the fall,of Rachel's junior year and during the night, Gilbert caught Bonnie with a boy. Bonnie was a sophomore. He had yanked her out of the car, and that morning, breakfast before the shop was so cold. They didn't humiliate her over breakfast but that night there was a screaming match downstairs. Rachel slept in the little alcove, and the window showed her a beautiful moon. "How could you do this? Do you want to get pregnant? Do you want to throw your future away?" Elise screamed. Bonnie protested, "But I love him."

"God, Mom, you look awful," Alyssa said.
"I didn't sleep well."
"Are you sick? Are the kids okay? Is Dad okay?" She reminded her so much of her dad. He asked lots of questions.
"I think Rachel is going to get pregnant."
"If she does, she does."
"She just has so much going on for her."
"I think she still would succeed.  She wants to manage this store and she runs circles around me. I don't think she will lose a thing."
"I just don't want her tied down. As much blessings as you both were, I ruined a man's life.  Well,two."
"From what I hear, he did it himself. Mom, he cheated on you left and right. He embezzled and went to prison. Dad is your saving grace."
"I love you call Gilbert dad. He stepped in. I feel bad your grandpa made Chance marry me."
"And I am glad I met Mark. Mom, I can't believe you seduced him, you little minx."
"I haven't always been just mom." They laughed and went back it work.

   She met Mark a few summers ago when they went to town.   It was really sweet.   He had three children with his wife.   It was sweet and he was like "Wow!  I had her!"  Mark went into detail about her mom and how he had "a crush".  "I was eighteen and she was willing.  Poor boys never got a chance,"she said.  Mark was sweet and she  was glad he made her.  

In the city, Michelle was at work. She was an elected official with a big office and she loved it. There she was loved, adored, and listened to. Michelle was sort of delusional, thinking Brad Pitt would marry her. She read social media where women met him and she wanted to be next.   She wants out,of her shitty "for better for worse marriage."   The staff worked for her, why didn't her husband? She did not want to go home and be talked at all night about his menial job as a cook in a bar, "I could have done so much better. Why did I drop my panties and standards for HIM? Why didn't I divorce him after I had her? Why did I pity him? Why did he stay after I cheated on him?"

"Something is bothering my girl,",Gilbert said as he drove the 1996 F150 home past harvested fields or fields during the process. "I hope it's not me." Gilbert was happy. She would have let him know if she was. He questioned them. He was going to pick up the grandkids at the shop and have them spend time with him. He was glad he adopted Alyssa and Chase.  He now had five grandkids to spoil. When he got to the shop, Alyssa was there with her toddler Jett and her baby Jasmine.   He took Jasmine and asked about his wife.

     "Did mom seem upset today?"
"No.  Not really."
"Seems like she is mad st me."
"She thinks that Rachel is going to get pregnant and doesn't want her ruining her life."
"It's Bonnie we have to worry about.   You know she is on the pill.  I pick them up for her every month in the city."
"I didn't dad.  Don't tell her I told you."
"Promise."  

     Elise came out from the back.  She had gotten an order of dried flowers she was working on. 

     "There she is,". Alyssa said.
"The dried flowers were broken.  The ones I was going to put in those milk jugs.  I had to call New York."
"You look lovely today.  You know the fall festival is this weekend."
"Yes. Have to make sure the store is on point,   God, I miss Rachel.   It's too much for me and Alyssa."
"I told you I would help.  It looks nice.  It smells nice.  Looks big city.  You know those rich women love to shop here."

   And one of them would be Michelle. Michelle made money now.  

    Gilbert took the two kids home after he kissed Elise. He carried them on his shoulders around the farm.  The day was warm, and the festival would be sweltering, but storms were going to roll in, and in two weeks his girl would be home.  He missed her.   She wasn't feeling well.  She had cramps and Westin was comforting her.  He loved her.  

     "I should, probably go buy some condoms or we can go to the clinic to get you on the pill."
"I can do that.  My mom had to get married twice, but my dad is a good guy."
"Seems like it. I was thinking in fall break, I come a little early to pick you up and spend time with your family.  Then on thanksgiving we could do the same."
"Awww.. that is sweet."  They kissed.  

     At six, Elise got home.  She walked in.  Gilbert kissed her, put her bags down and embraced her.  He was nice to come home to.  She wouldn't trade this for the world.  In the city, Michelle was getting home to her husband who had been home all day, hitting the sauce all day and was in for another evening of being talked at and not to.  Their worlds were colliding,  

     "Hey, front door needs fixed," he said.  She was tired.   She didn't want to hear it.   She wanted Brad Pitt to come home to, not this loser who never worked.  Why did she fall for handsome and not some quality man who earned money? He really was a wolf in sheep's clothing.

"Hey, my friends and I are going to Endora, of all places for the day, you need anything Saturday?" She hoped he didn't.
"I'd rather you not go."
"Why? Ex wife is there."
"Well, yeah."
"Maybe we could commiserate stories," she said to herself. "You won, girlfriend."

Elise and Michelle would come face to face.