Saving Grace

That Was Awkward

Chapter Nine

Jay

Rhode Island? That was extremely random. I was expecting her to say she came from around here. Grew up on a ranch down the road or something. Not all the way across the country. But then I realized she didn't have an accent, so it made more sense.

I had followed her down here because I was still confused about her mom. The way her face changed from normal to a deer in headlights told me that Cali did not like her mom. I really wanted to get her to trust me. Preston told me that was the only way I would ever see her real smile. And I had made that my summer goal.

But when I got down here, I decided it was best if I didn't bring it up. Instead, I found out she loved horses. We actually had two things in common. Stars and horses. Weird. But I would take what I could get. What I didn't get why she was keeping track of the things she told me. She. Was. Crazy.

Cali stood up and gave me another fake smile. Damn those fake smiles. "Number three..." she whispered before walking back up the hill. I stood up too and walked back up a few steps behind her.

"Thanks," I called as she mounted her horse.

"See ya later," she replied with a wave.

I nodded my head and said "Good night."

She was just about to start riding away when she turned around, looking confused.

"It's only 2:30 in the afternoon."

I'm an idiot. I could feel my face getting a little red.

She giggled a little before trotting away. I walked slowly back to my horse and took my time getting back to the house. I also got lost a few times, so an hour later, I finally got the horse back in its stall and headed up to the house. I walked in and Preston and my grandpa were sitting there talking about something. I grabbed a soda from the fridge and took a seat at the table.

"We're having an early dinner. I have an long day tomorrow so I have to turn in early," my grandpa said in his low voice. He looked a lot older from the last time I was here. He always had gray hair, but now he was almost bald and looked tired all the time. I remembered him always laughing and having a smile on his face. Now he usually had a blank expression and didn't laugh much anymore. Although Preston did say he had started to smile again a few months ago. The changes in my grandpa all had to do with the death of my grandma a year ago. Even then, me and my parents didn't come back and I think that hurt my grandpa the most.

"Okay. What are we having?" Preston asked playing with the table cloth. He looked lost in thought.

This farm really had turned upside down. My family was acting weird and the place just seemed different even though it didn't look different. I definitely connected some of it with my grandma not being here, but I think Cali also changed the place. Not to mention grandpa and Preston.

"Probably pizza again. I'll just call it in and go pick it up. I'm sorry about these crappy dinners boys, but I feel bad asking Cali to cook every night." Grandpa sighed as he stood up and reached for the phone. Me and Preston just nodded. I didn't think he wanted a response. He called it in and left to go pick it up. As soon as he left, Preston jumped up from his chair and sat down on the table in front of me.

"What is wrong with you?" I asked pushing my chair away from the table.

"What happened this afternoon?" He was acting like a girl when her best friend just got home from her first date. He had that 'look.'

"Seriously, what is wrong with you?" I asked in a more serious tone, standing up from the chair.

He gave me an evil grin. He was crazy. Everyone around here was crazy. I sighed as I headed towards the stairs.