I, Gracie - Sharon Sala Page 0,77

asleep."

"Then consider the base as having been touched. Close your eyes and rest."

"Was it first base or second base," John asked.

Gracie laughed out loud. "If you have to ask, then you need to try harder."

She was laughing as she hung up.

He grinned, then winced and shoved his hand deeper into the ice.

She still had the best laugh.

Gracie was sweeping off the back porch when Delia came out of the house in a black and white polka dot dress and black heels. Her curly blonde hair was piled up on her head, and her fire engine red lipstick embellished her sweet smile.

"Mama! You look beautiful!"

"Your daddy is taking me dancing."

Gracie stopped sweeping and looked toward the back door.

"Daddy's here, too?"

Delia laughed and turned just as the screen door opened again.

"See? Where I go, Tommy goes, too. He wanted to say hello, sweetie."

Gracie's heart was racing. "Daddy! You look so young...and handsome!"

He grinned, then slipped his arm around Delia's waist.

"You did good, Gracie Jean. Be happy."

And then he turned Delia into his arms and began dancing her around the porch, spinning and spinning, until they were gone.

* * *

Gracie woke up with tears on her face.

It was almost sunup.

She threw back the covers, went to get a Coke from the refrigerator, and then walked to the east windows overlooking Lucy's garden.

The horizon here was blocked by trees, and the streetlights and security lights blinded her to the darkness of night.

There were no coyotes here to sing her to sleep. And she might not get the full value of the color blast of a new day, but she was at peace.

She took a drink of Coke, thinking about Mama and Daddy. The feeling within her now was a sense of peace.

That wasn't just a dream.

They had paid her a visit—to let her know they were well and happy, and proud of her for a job well done.

She took another sip of Coke and then focused on the sky.

Mama used to say that the sun in the morning and the moon at night were God's lights. So, she stood watch, looking above the city lights, waiting for God's light to arrive. And when it did, the pastel wash of pink and yellow that finally appeared above the treetops was enough to make Gracie smile.

Today was here...and so was she.

It was time to make the most of it.

She picked up her phone and sent John a text.

Look to the East, John. It's a beautiful morning.

She waited, wondering if she'd texted him too early. Wondering if he was still asleep, she turned away from the window and went to get ready for work.

She was in the closet picking out something to wear when she found the old note that she'd packed.

I, Gracie, lost Mama today.

She sighed. "Nobody is lost anymore, Mama. Not you. Not me. And that reminds me. I need to email Decker's Funeral Home and give them my new address so they can mail me your death certificate. I'm not going to lose track of the life insurance you set aside for me. Not when it meant so much to you that I had it."

She slipped the note beneath a stack of t-shirts, the grabbed her laptop and sent the funeral home her updated address with the reminder about the death certificate, then she ran to get dressed.

John hadn't slept worth a shit.

His finger was still sore and achy when he'd finally given up on sleep and gone downstairs for coffee, which he'd then carried out to the front deck.

It was so quiet here. Watching night give way to a new day was a ritual, just as it was for him to salute the end of the dying day on the back deck.

The little rabbit was noticeably absent. Likely still hiding under the deck from the night owls.

He was thinking about Gracie when his phone signaled a text from her. He pulled it up, read it, then smiled.

Damn. What were the odds? Both of them already up. Waiting for sunrise. It was almost like sharing it together.

He texted her back.

Already here, waiting. Wish I was watching it with you.

Chapter Sixteen

Joel came to before nightfall, confused and in pain.

Mamie was instantly at his side.

"Sweetheart! Thank God you're awake. Are you in pain?"

"Hurts. What happened?" he mumbled, as he began feeling his belly.

"You were attacked. You're in the hospital, and you're going to be okay. I've been so worried. I love you. So much."

"Love you... Don't remember," he said.

"It's okay. You will," Gracie said.

"Tell me."

Gracie sighed.