I, Gracie - Sharon Sala Page 0,5

soon as I get a day and time, I'll let you know. For now, I just wanted to give you a heads up."

"Of course," Ralph said. "Listen, why don't you take an early lunch and then go home for the rest of the day."

"Are you sure?" James asked.

"Absolutely. Just let me know the name of the funeral home, and we'll send flowers. What was your mother's name?"

"Delia. Her name was Delia Dunham," James said and walked out.

Today was Mamie Freemont's weekly lunch date with her three best girlfriends. They were going to the Salt Lick just outside of Austin, and she was already anticipating the restaurant's famous mouth-watering barbecue.

Going out was one of Mamie's favorite pastimes, and today was no different. She had her white-blonde hair pulled up on top of her head, leaving the carefully coifed curls free to dangle. She was in skin-tight jeans that showed off her shapely ass, and a low-cut top that showed off her big boobs. And, as always, she was wearing all five of her diamond rings, because a Texas girl never had hair too big or too many diamonds.

Her husband, Joel, was on one of his business trips. This time back to Portland. Or was it Seattle? She couldn't remember. But it didn't matter. Mamie had the most fun when Joel was gone. She didn't exactly cheat on him. She'd never do that. But she liked to flirt when she was out with the girls, and today, she felt fine enough to flirt.

She was trading lipstick colors in her purse when her cell phone rang. A quick glance put a smile on her face. It was Daphne! She and her sister were only thirteen months apart, and as close as twins.

"Hello, sugar!" Mamie said.

"I have bad news," Daphne said. "Mama passed."

For a second, Mamie felt like someone had punched her in the gut, and then she took a deep breath.

"Oh no."

"That's not the worst," Daphne added. "You need to know Gracie is pissed. We are not invited to the house early. We are to go straight to the funeral home the day of the services. Dinner will be there, and when it's over, we are all to go back to the house to settle things. Her words. Not mine."

Mamie's eyes welled. "Well, that's just awful. That's our home, too. She can’t—"

"We abandoned her, Mamie. Don't deny it. She tried to call you personally to let you and James both know but got disconnected numbers."

"Oh my God," Mamie muttered. "I guess I let time slip away from me after Mama couldn't talk on the phone anymore."

Daphne sighed. "Did you ever call Gracie?" Daphne asked.

"Well, no, I don't guess I did. But Mama always said she was busy, or—"

"Oh, for the love of God, Mamie. Mama lost her mind. Why would you believe anything she said then? She told the same story over and over, and then forgot who we were. I didn't call Gracie because I didn't want her to ask me to come stay. I didn't want to take care of Mama. Not even for a weekend, especially not after she got scary, talking all crazy. I will admit it right now. I sacrificed my baby sister for my own selfish life. I didn't want to know how Gracie felt living with Mama's crazy shit every day, because I didn't want to do it. I hate myself for that, and now I have to live with it. But I don't imagine time slipped anywhere for Gracie, so just be prepared for a cold shoulder when we get there."

Mamie didn't like being called down for anything, and she didn't want to talk about her failures, so she cut the call short.

"I'm just sick about this, but I have to go or I'm gonna be late. I'm meeting the girls for lunch. Let me know the details when you get them."

"You could call and ask her yourself," Daphne said. "She still has the same number."

"I guess," Mamie said. "But you let me know anyway," and then disconnected. She dropped her phone back in her purse, gathered up the rest of her stuff, and headed out the door.

She didn't feel quite as flirty as she had. In fact, she was feeling a little sick to her stomach, but she probably just needed to eat something. And staying home by herself wasn't going to solve seven years' worth of sins.

Chapter Two

Gracie went into the funeral home to sign papers, then set the date for the service