The Life And Times Of Rachel Grape

The Ugly Part Of Fall

The yellow, red, and orange soon turned to brown and white. There were a few flurries here and there as Thanksgiving weekend loomed. They were getting the ship ready for Black Friday. Lots of city women flocked to the artisan shop for the Christmas wares, so there was no time to sit down. Rachel had her first doctor appointment and all looked good, "You have a belly because you are so, so tiny," Dr. Smits said. "You will do fine.  You have a great mom."   Mom and dad left for Indiana to get her mom and dad.  They could not see but they always came out for the holidays.   They always got nice Christmasmases with them. She and Alyssa talked.   

     "I haven't seen grandpa and grandma in a year.  Do you think they will know?"
"They do. The won't be mad.  Mom was a party girl who slept around.   You dated a superficial asshole."
"I talked to one of my few friends on campus and they say he has a girl."
"Then he is an asshole. I knew it when I saw him."
"I thought he was different.  I guess richies are all the same."
"Yeah.  We will never be them,  might as well enjoy being poor."
"Yeah. Our house is a home."

    Westin was driving home while they talked of his status as a "Richie".   He didn't want to come home.  He wanted to drive to Endora and take his girl.  He wondered how she was.   He didn't have time to check social media.  He hoped she was well.   She was trying.  She had a baby to live for.  Her parents loved her.  Elise stayed up late cleaning the house and getting her parents bedroom ready for her parents.  The spare room would be theirs, and eventually the baby's.  "I wish we didn't  have our festival, I would go home and sleep like a baby," she told her sister.  They were serving gourmet coffee and hot chocolate.   Westin drove.  Rebekah called.  "I can't wait to take you downtown to the lighting!"  She said.  He mumbled, "yeah".  She said, "I am ready to kiss your penis.  I think we can have sex.  Michaela said she does and God would forgive us."  He mumbled, "Yeah."  She asked if he was a virgin and he lied.  "You know my mom raised me right."  She beamed.  She was in love and she was going to get married.  However, the girl he loved had cheaply dyed hair, were skimpy clothes, came from a poor family and was NOTHING what his mother expected of him. 

    Lunch was from Burger Barn courtesy of Gilbert. It was nice. He asked how his girl felt. She was still sad, but she had plenty of loving people around her and on Friday night, Lauren and she and I were going to town, get a pizza, and hang out.

"Are you ready for Friday?" He asked her.
"I have been doing this since we bought this in 2011."
"I know. We always appreciate your help. We are sorry you are doing this full time. You should be going to school and getting a degree, not being hurt by assholes."
"It's okay, dad. Really."

Westin turned into his driveway. His mom was having a bad day. She had them a lot in the fall when the weather turned cool. The house was all dark. He went to see her. After all, he was her mom. His dad ordered thanksgiving from a local restaurant. "Westin! My baby! I have missed you so! Are you seeing Rebekah tonight?" She smiled eagerly. That was the onlything that made Wendy smile. "Yes. We are going to see the lighting." She told him her favorite line. She was "Pleased as punch!" He wanted to gag. He hated that line. He went to his room. He napped. He texted Rebekah when he got us. "so ready to take you to the city!" She texted back, "Can't wait!" He cringed. He thought a lot about how he broke Rachel's heart and how it bothered him daily. It would for years.

"The hot chocolate is done," I said to mom. She was pleased.
"Thank you for all,of your help, but out your feet up."
"I,am not tired. Lauren called."
"Really?"
"We are going to the city and having pizza tomorrow."
"That will be fun. Listen. Your dad and I are so proud of how you are handling this. You are such an amazing woman."
"Thank you." She fought back tears as she looked out the window.

At 4:45, they brought the hot chocolate to the table. At 4:45, Westin knocked on that familiar, white, double door. Ivy answer and let him in "Shout to the Lord" was on full blast. "I love, love, love this song." He wanted to gag. "She's upstairs. Just got home!" He smiled. "You can go up. I trust you." He went upstairs. She was putting her pink sweaters away. She smiled. "Westin! I am so happy to see you!!!" She kissed him.

"Your mom said it was safe to come in."
"It is!" She said. She motioned to him. "I want to kiss your penis tonight." He cringed.
"Let's get a burger before we go down there."
"Yes!"

Rachel and Elise made the hot cocoa. It was nice to have her daughter home. She thought of Westin. She spied on him through Bonnie's Facebook.  She found out he had a girlfriend already and she cried and cried.  "Look at her.  Rich.  Lives in one of those two story homes in the city," she added.   "Didn't take HIM long."  She cried to herself.  "Baby, it is you and me."   She tried to be pleasant through the lighting.  She went home and cried herself to sleep after seeing her grandparents.   In the city, there she was, showing of her new boyfriend.   Guy, this is Westin!  Isn't he cute?  He loves God, too," she told all of her friends.  He was embarrassed.  Rachel would never do that.   She would introduce him to her close friends.  

   Then Westin got his penis "kissed".  It was horrible.  He missed his Rachel.