The Life And Times Of Rachel Grape

Seeing Michelle Again

Elise got up at four and began breakfast. She made a casserole. Gilbert kissed her goodbye. "Westin came out with Rachel and Elise asked if they slept well.  Rachel did but Westin did not.  The house as creaky and old.  It made noises and he swore he heard an old man talking.   "Save some for me," Gilbert told Elise.   She smiled. "I love you," she said. The kids came down and one of the younger ones said, "we should have guests all of the time." She giggled. She loved her kids.    Westin loved the interactions.  Wendy barely got out of bed for her family.  His dad did it all.  They got on the bus and they got in the Cadillac and drove to the store. Alyssa was already there. Alyssa lived in town in a nice house, one that Gilbert dreamed of living in. She was happily married to a firefighter.

"Good morning, sweetheart,". Elise told Alyssa.
"Hi, Ma. How are you?"
"Tired."
"Hey, Sister! How are you?"
"I slept well. My roommate and I don't get along."
"Ah."

"Well get on your track shoes. We were busy yesterday. You can be a runner,". Elise told Rachel.   Westin was there to he,on the ladies who bought a lot and they did.  Rachel ended up making bouquets when there were few people in the dorm.  She and Westin barely got to see each other, except for when her mom closed for,lunch and then she walked in.   She had on a frilly top,  capris, and her big hair.  She looked like Arianna but fat.  "Just Lee out side you hick," reason a resonated in her head.  She was too busy to tel, her mom, but her mind bought $293 worth of flower arrangements,  artisan crafts, and some bread.  Alyrssa rang her out.  "I love your things," Michelle told her.   "Thank you," Alyssa said unbeknownst to her this was the woman who called her mom a fatass.  

    Michelle did see Elise.   "Well at least she had true love," she told herself.  "She has a husband who loves her despite being fat.  Gilbert had always worked for his family and never went to prison.   I chose good looking and I am sorry I did."  She looked at Elise.   A successful business and happy kids.  She felt her daughter hated her.  Rachel adored her mom.  She hugged her on the way to get food. She wanted to cry. She saw the two of the, laughing as they brought out more arrangements.  She wished she would have passed that good looking guy up and maybe she would have a happier daughter. 

   Rachel saw her and hung back.   Rachel knew she was just like her mother and her daughter was the reason that she was not sleeping at night.   For once, she felt well rested.  However, Rachel asked for or a break and followed Michelle in a craft tent.  She looked at her.  She was wearing a dingy tee shirt and short shorts.  Michelle looked at her and said, "What do you need?"  Rachel said, "You are michelle's mom.   I am he friend Violet from school."  She said, "Well, nice to meet you."  She went on.  She wanted to say, "your daughter has been bullying me.  She threatened to break some of my things.   She has called me a hick."   Michelle wanted to say, "Cherish your mama.  You look like a sweet kid, Violet.    Cherish your life and love that boy.  I wish I would have." 

   Back at school, Arianna was so happy she didn't have to look at her roommate.  "What a crybaby!  I ran she took her religious plaque out because of me.   It would be nice to live in a house with likeminded girls."  She called her mom's office.  She was out for the day.  She called her dad who was asleep.  "Probably drank last night," she said.   Her mom was racking up some bills.  She could not go to the house, as rush was in full swing.  She was a shoo in and that brat could have the dorm to herself.   "She can get it on as much as she wants," she told herself.  "I hate her.  I wish my mom never met my dad and I could be born to a normal household, not a dad who went to fucking prison." 

Around noon, Elsie and Rachel went to get lunch. Rachel said she was really surprised how the day had gone and so much and sold. "Mom, you have to sell online! I can help. Westin can, too." Elsie was reluctant,

   
     At four, there was a lull, and Westin took her hand and went back to what was once a storeroom.  He kissed her.  "I wanted to do this all day.  You are so, so pretty and I would like another night the moonlight." Rachel smiled. Rachel said she would see what she could do. She smiled and laughed. She could not wait to get home and for it to get dark. There was a game tonight, but mom was beat and staying home. That meant old black and white movies on the couch all night. The festival closed at eight and they were all tired. Elise went to the couch and laid on her husband. Rachel took Westin on a long walk, and they went down by the pond on the starry, starry night, and made love under the moonlight and at that moment, both of their lives changed.

"Rach, I am going to see my mom and dad for a short time tomorrow. It's an hour away."
"It's okay."
"I will be back in the afternoon."
"We'll be fine. Dad will be there."
"Your dad always looks at me funny."
"No he does not." She put on her jeans.
"He hates me."
"My dad hates no one."

They walked back in the dark. They used their phone flashlights. Inside was style flicker of the TV. They walked in, hugged good night and he went into the sewing room, a breeze wafted through the window. Bonnie was out with friends. Rachel rolled over and went to sleep. Westin watched figures dance on ceiling. In the living room,,Gilbert and Elise were having the talk,

"You hate him?"
"No.  I just know he is screwing my little girl." 
"I understand,   She is going to get pregnant."
"I just know they have done it."
"So did we."
"But that is my girl, the smart one, the good one."

   Gilbert adored Rachel.  She was special.  She came out of a very thought ime. He was so glad she was his.