This Hard Life

Chapter 17: Off To See the Grocer

Chapter 17

Scott and I went to Lorna’s daycare to pick up Gracie. Apparently Lorna thought that since Grace was still with her and it was late morning, she’d just take my sister to work until I can talk to her. I was grateful to her for being so caring and helpful.

We took her outside and I told her about what happened with our mother. When I was done telling her the story, I waited for her response. I kept looking at her, searching for any reaction on her face. But there wasn’t anything.

“Gracie, are you alright,” I asked when I became too impatient to wait for her reaction.

“Yes, but was Mommy hurting when she died?”

I was shocked at the question. This was the one thing that I didn’t expect her to ask. “I don’t think so Grace.” Honestly I wasn’t sure how to answer her question. I truly hoped that her death was a peaceful and painless as possible, but I was this small feeling that she slipped away feeling something other than contentedness.

“Are you sure? Charlotte, I don’t want Mommy hurting forever.”

“She won’t hurt forever, I promise. She’s up in heaven. She’s gonna watch over us forever.” Grace seemed like she was okay with my responses. She still seemed like she didn’t fully grasp the whole situation, but I figured that it was because Grace was still a little girl. “What do you want to do now?”

“Can I go back in with Lorna? I made a new friend and I told her that I’ll give her a picture that I drew her today. I can’t break my promise Charlotte!”

I looked at Grace and studied her once more. I seemed to forget that Grace is still an innocent little girl. I decided that she should stay with Lorna for the day so she could give her friend that new picture. I wanted her to continue thinking that promises meant something in the real world. Once she went back in the daycare, Scott and I followed.

Scott and I were waiting for Lorna in the lobby. Grace already left us to go play. I rolled my eyes. At least someone can be this light-hearted, I thought.

“Charlotte? Lorna’s busy cleaning up after a kid who just vomited. It may be a while before she’s able to come out to talk,” the daycare receptionist said.

“Alright. I have to be on my way for a meeting, but can I leave her a note? That way she can give me a call later when she has a moment?”

“Of course you can. I’ll let her know that you stopped by.” I nodded and wrote Lorna a quick note before Scott and I left the child care center.

“Charlotte? Your meeting isn’t until one this afternoon,” Scott commented.

I nodded at his observation. “Yes, I know, but I just didn’t want to wait. I’m feeling a little antsy today.” Scott raised his eyebrows and I blushed. “I mean that I’m just can’t concentrate on a lot of things right now, much less wait until puke is picked up in the back room.”

“Oh, alright then,” Scott mused. I lightly punched his right arm and he then wrapped his arm around my waist. We stopped walking and he pulled me closer into a kiss.

When Scott pulled his head back, officially ending our kiss, I kept staring at his lips. They were perfect for kissing.

“What are you looking at,” Scott asked with a grin on his face.

“Your lips,” I answered nonchalantly.

“Oh? Well I hope they are satisfying.”

“Oh, you don’t have to worry about that. Your lips are very pleasant to look at, just in case you were wondering.”

“Oh, well thank you for telling me.” Scott was smiling now, and I couldn’t help but return a smile back. He pulled me into a kiss again. This time our kiss was so much more passionate, it reminded me of the night that we spent together. It was so full of love and passion. I have never loved anyone like this before.

I felt Scott’s tongue brush against my own lips. I welcomed it in my mouth. Our kiss deepened and became hungrier and hungrier. It wasn’t until I was out of breath that I ended the kiss.

“Well that was something,” Scott commented.

“Yeah, it was.”

“What do you want to do until your meeting?”

“I need to go pick up a few things from the grocer. Would you like to come with?”

Scott smiled and offered me his arm, as if he was a gentleman walking out to dance with me.

“I’d love to.”

With that, we were off to see the grocer.