Reunited (Secrets of the Soul, Book One)

Chapter Twelve

Grace sat on the living room couch, looking up at the ceiling as though she were trying to get some answers when Stephanie entered the space. She stopped, hesitating to disturb the woman. In the state she appeared to be in, Stephanie was worried she might startle her. She left the room, then doubled back, making sure she stepped firmly enough to make enough sound to catch her attention, but not enough to scare her.

By the time Stephanie entered the room again, Grace was looking in her direction. "Are you done?"

"Yeah, we're finished for the day."

She nodded. "Good. I was hoping to have some time to talk to you."

"Sure. Can we use another room?"

She shook her head, keeping her voice low. "I think I'd rather speak privately, if that's okay. I don't want him to hear."

Stephanie shrugged. "That's okay with me." She glanced back the way she came. "Are you off for the night?"

"I can be. I just have to let him know I'm leaving."

"Okay. If you want, you can follow me to my place."

"That would be great. Thank you. I'll be right back."

Stephanie settled onto the couch to wait, taking another look around the room. The more time she spent there, the more she felt a little uncomfortable. It was like there was this tension that permeated the whole space. She wondered if that was due to his issues, or something else. Either way, she thought there was a lot of work he still needed to do to get himself straightened out.

"We can go now," Grace said as she returned to the living room.

Stephanie stood and followed her out the door, her curiosity going through the roof.

***

When they got back to the apartment, Stephanie led Grace up the stairs and to her door. Praying she hadn't forgotten about any messes she'd left, she entered and took a quick glimpse before leading Grace inside. "Go ahead and have a seat."

"Thank you." Grace sat on one end, glancing around the space. "Your place looks a lot like mine," she said.

Stephanie smirked. "Definitely not like Jack's, are they?"

"No." She frowned. "I don't think it's him."

Stephanie raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"That house. All of it. He doesn't seem to like it."

Stephanie nodded, a thoughtful look on her face. "I think you're right." She settled back into her seat, then said, "So, what were you wanting to talk about?"

Grace's face flushed a little. "Whatever I tell you... you're not going to repeat it, right?"

"No, of course not."

She smiled, then took a breath and said, "Good. Look, I think I should maybe apologize first. I was rude before."

"It's okay," Stephanie assured her. "Believe me, I've seen things like that before. It's no big deal."

"Well, to me it is. Especially since I'm about to ask if you could do the same for me."

Stephanie blinked. "Really?"

"Really. I, um... when you and Jack were having that session before, it bothered me."

"How?"

She shrugged, letting out a small grunt. "I'm not sure... I guess that feeling you were talking about before. You know, of someone walking over your grave? But that makes no sense, right?"