Gold Rush

good riddance

:* ୨୧ Gracelyn ୨୧ :*

April 27, 2005

"What exactly do you need help with?" I asked as I wandered the mall with Declan.

He'd all but dragged me out of Johnny's bed this morning. Apparently we were buying something for Shannon but I wasn't sure of what.

"I need help buying Shan a few things," he explained.

"What's the occasion?"

"There's no occasion," he shrugged. "She's just been through so much, I want to give her a little something to remind her that I love her."

"You really are a romantic, Deccy," I reached over and tousled his hair. "Maybe I'm slumming it with the wrong Kavanagh."

"Gross," he cringed. "I wouldn't touch you with a ten foot pole."

"Back at you, fatty," I chuckled. "What are we buying? Lingerie? Handcuffs?"

He stopped mid-step to glare at me. "Who the hell do you think I am? I'm not buying my girlfriend handcuffs! I was thinking some girlie shite, and that's why I asked for your help."

"What's wrong with buying handcuffs?" I asked, increasing my pace when he began speed walking. "Hey! Slow down, what's wrong with handcuffs?"

"This is a public place," he gaped. "Stop yelling about handcuffs!"

"I'll stop once you tell me what's wrong with them."

"Jesus Christ, Grace. What's wrong with them is I want to get her a sweet gift to show her I care about her, not something that says 'hey I'm into bondage'. I mean seriously, does Shan strike you as the type to want to be handcuffed to my bed," Declan huffed, rolling his eyes.

"You'd be surprised," I shrugged. "Handcuffs can be a girls best friend when used correctly. There was this time Theo—"

"Boundaries, Grace, boundaries."

"God, you're acting like a prude," I scoffed, shoving him into a makeup store. "If you want to get her something, I'd suggest a nice face cream. It's perfect for self care and shows that you want her to feel good." Placing a hand on my hip I added, "ooooh, let's get her a fuzzy blanket too! And maybe some chocolates! Oh, and a pyjama set!"

Sighing, he followed me down an aisle. "I knew you'd be good at this. You're pretty much a shopping addict."

"I am not!" I gaped, pulling an expensive cream off the shelf. "You're lucky I'm even doing this for you, I'm not a personal shopper." I paused and then grinned, "oh my god, Deccy! This is what I'm meant to do. I should be a personal shopper, I mean hello, I thrive in the mall."

"You also never shut up. Maybe you could be a prototype for a human muzzle."

"You wish you had my epic conversational skills."

"I'd rather be held at gunpoint."

"Do you need my help or not? Because I could totally fuck you over right now," I rolled my eyes.

I loved annoying the shit out of Declan as if he were my own brother—which he practically is. Either way I was going to help him, and do an excellent job because I happened to love Shannon Lynch.

"Just help me," he mumbled, yanking the cream out of my hands. "Hydrating facial cream?"

"Trust me, Deccy, this is the best of the best," I winked. "How do you think I got this beautiful?"

He released a breath and ran a hand through his hair, obviously fed up with my shenanigans.

After purchasing the cream I dragged him to a bunch of other stores and had even convinced him to buy me an iced latte for my troubles of shopping with him.

"All that's left are the pyjamas," I giggled. "Are we thinking sexy, cute or cozy?"

"Johnny has his hands full with you," he sighed. "I'm thinking cozy, they're pyjamas for a reason."

"Right this way," I smiled, yanking on his arm and tugging him into a store. "This place has the cutest pyjama sets!" Running to the stack of folded up sets, I held up a pink one and squealed, "is she a pink girl?"

"A what?"

"You know, a girl that loves pink? Kind of like Addy."

"Definitely not to that extent," he shook his head. "I like her in blue, it brings out her eyes."

I grinned, reaching for a pale blue flannel set with tiny white flowers on it. "This is it! She will look stunning in this, not to mention it's so fucking cute!" Pointing at the sign, I nudged him, "its buy one get one free, get me the pink one."

"Why don't I get Shan two pairs?" He scoffed.

"Because I'm doing all the work here. You'd be lost without me!" I stomped my foot, "plus, it's literally free when you think about it."

He scrubbed a hand over his face whilst shaking his head. I tapped my foot until he finally sighed, "take it to the counter."

"Yay! I hate you so much less now," I squealed, picking up both pairs. "Who needs money when I can manipulate."

"I have a newfound respect for Johnny," he grumbled.

"Oh, please. He's quite literally living the dream," I rolled my eyes.

Declan pulled out his wallet, preparing to pay when my phone began buzzing frantically. I yanked it out of my pocket to see 'mam' flashing across the screen.

She usually only called me when dad was on a rampage and she needed me to come home. Sighing, I hit the accept button and held it to my ear.

"Gracelyn?" Mam sniffled through the line.

"Yeah? What?" I replied, my words coming out more hostile than intended.

"Where are you?"

"The mall, why?"

"It's your father," she croaked out. "He was attacked."

My heart smacked against my rib cage with such force it felt like a bowling ball. Her words echoed in my head, and I wasn't sure if I should jump up and down in excitement or cry.

"What?" I blurted out. "What do you mean?"

"Some young lad beat him to a pulp," she sobbed.

"Will he live?"

"Yes, but he's got a broken nose and a busted lip."

"Good riddance," I scoffed. "It takes one to know one."

"Gracelyn!" I could hear the familiar sound of disapproval in her tone. "Your father said you know the boy responsible for this."

I inhaled a deep breath, knowing what her next words were going to be. It didn't take a genius to figure it out.

"It was your boyfriend, Gracelyn. That lad you had over a few weeks back."

He'd bulldozed.
Again.