Free to Love

Chapter 76

Grace

As I opened the front door, the house was uncharacteristically quiet.

"Anyone home?" I called out as I tossed my backpack on the large bench in the foyer.

No response.

I looked at the Apple Watch on my wrist and saw it was 4:12. Usually everyone was home by now. Nolan typically got in half an hour after me, but I'd stayed after for a yearbook club meeting to sort out yearbook distribution next week. My friend Rina had given me a ride since she'd recently gotten her license and a cute car. I still only had my permit, but hopefully that would change soon! Even Stella should have been home from elementary school, and my mom and Ash were always here at this time since he took a long afternoon nap.

I walked into the kitchen and looked at the big dry erase calendar my fam used to keep each person's schedule straight. Between the three of us older kids, things got a little hectic. I thought maybe Stella had a soccer game that no one mentioned to me. I found today's date and saw that there was a note written in my dad's chicken scratch handwriting. I couldn't figure out what it meant, though.

Operation G

My phone vibrated in my back pocket, so I took it out and smiled. It was Malik.

Malik 🥰: 7 still work?

I quickly texted back that it was perfect. As I headed towards the stairs with hopes of putting together a cute outfit for my date, the door to the basement opened, scaring the crap out of me and causing me to let out a small shriek.

"Gracie! I didn't hear you come in," my dad said with a huge grin on his face.

"I didn't think anyone was home. To be honest, it was freaking me out a little," I said.

My dad walked over and gave me a kiss on the forehead. "I was in the studio working on a song. Come sit down."

A feeling of dread washed over me. What did he have to tell me? Had something happened? He was smiling, though, so my worries disappeared almost as quickly as they came on.

"I was about to go shower and get ready to go out tonight," I told him. "Is this going to take long?"

"You have plans?"

"Malik's taking me to dinner since tomorrow we're going to Pickering."

"You need to text him and cancel," my father said with a grimace. "I should have told you to keep tonight open."

I stared at him open-mouthed. "Dad! I'm not calling off my date!"

"I'm really sorry, hun, but this is important. You and your boyfriend can go out another night. I'm sure he'll understand."

"Well I certainly don't!" I said loudly.

And then I stomped up two flights of wooden stairs until I reached my attic bedroom. I slammed the door as hard as I could and threw myself on my bed. Flat on my back, I stared up at the ceiling and started counting the wooden planks with hopes that would calm me down. I'd gotten to thirty-one when I heard my door creak open.

"So I know you're mad, but I need you to pack a bag for the weekend. You and I are driving to the house in the woods. Everyone else will join us there tomorrow."

"I'm not going."

My dad started to chuckle.

"What's so funny?"

He sat down on the edge of the bed. "The irony of this moment is so incredible. I'll explain later. Pack your bag and meet me downstairs. We leave in ten."