Saving Grace

Going Insane

Chapter Three

Jay

"Grandpa? Cali says dinner is ready," I called as I walked into the barn. Even in here, nothing has changed. I looked at the row of horse stables and the horses inside them. I used to love to ride them. I haven't been on a horse since I was about ten years old.

"It's good to see you again son," Grandpa said as he walked out of one of the stalls and came towards me. He came right up to me and pulled me into a long hug. It had been a long time since I had seen him.

"You too, gramps." He chuckled a little and we began walking up towards the house.

"So you've met her?" He said it with a wide grin on his face.

"Yeah...why?"

"No reason," he replied with another low chuckle.

"Who is she?"

"She's been here for about six months. She helps out around the place. She loves horses too." He sounded really happy. Maybe he had been drinking his secret stash of beers he used to hide out here.

"That didn't answer my questions."

He started laughing. "I know it didn't."

I stopped walking and looked at him. What the hell is going on around here? Him and Preston were both acting really weird. I just sighed and started walking again. Crazy old man.

I walked into the house and smelled lasagna. It was my all time favorite food. My grandma used to make it all the time. I never realized how much I had missed it. I never realized how much I missed being here...at home.

I walked through the door and into the dining room. Cali was there, putting the tray of pasta on the table. It wasn't until I was closer to her that I realized just how pretty she was. And how short she was. I had at least a foot on her. She had big brown eyes and soft-looking hair. I wanted to get to know her. But no one would tell me anything about her.

"Hey. Can you get four glasses out of the cabinet?" She asked without looking up at me.

"You know I'm Jay right? It's not Preston."

She looked up at me and smiled. "I only make that mistake twice. And I knew you were Jay." For the first time since I had met her, her eyes met mine. They were a light brown but there was so much they looked like they held. Even when she smiled, she still had sadness in her eyes. And her smile never looked real. It was only a small smile that never covered her whole face.

I laughed once I broke out of my thoughts. "Where are they?"

"In the cabinet next to the fridge."

I went into the kitchen, got the glasses and came back. Preston and Grandpa were already seated. I set down the glasses and Cali brought in a pitcher of water. She set it down and we started eating.

Over dinner, Grandpa was telling us about the two new horses he had bought and they were being delivered tomorrow. Preston said he had to go into town to pick up some stuff for them. So I guess I had nothing to do tomorrow. Awesome.

After dinner, I helped Cali clear off the table and do the dishes.

"So, do you go to school around here?"

She didn't look older then eighteen so I figured she was still in high school. Although, I still had yet to figure out why she was even here. It didn't make sense.

"I graduated last year and I just started taking some online classes."

"You're out of high school?"

She froze at my question and looked at me. "Um yeah...why?"

"Never mind."

She looked at me, confused, for minute before putting away the last of the dishes. Then she grabbed a glass of iced tea and walked out onto the porch. Something was happening around here. And I really needed someone to answer my questions.

I followed her out and took a seat next to her on the hanging swing that faced the barn. My grandpa and Preston were out there talking about some cow that had just given birth.

"So why didn't you go to college?"

Cali turned to look at me with her brows furrowed. "What's with all the questions? Why do you want to know all this?" She clipped her words at me.

I was not expecting that answer. But I was getting really frustrated. No one was telling me anything and I was going insane not knowing anything.

"Sorry. It's just I come to my grandparents farms and some mystery girl is living here and she expects me to know everything?" I said, putting my hands up in defense.

"You're not very good at making first impressions." And with that, she got up and started walking towards the barn.

"What's wrong with her?" I asked Preston after she was in the barn.

"I don't know. She was fine before you came," he said as he walked back into the house.

I took a deep breath and ran my hands through my hair. This was getting frustrating. I was so confused. And it was all thanks to the new girl.