Chapter 1 cont...

Chapter One (cont.)

 

Taking the turn into the driveway a bit too sharply caused Casey, still asleep in the back seat, to slide off the seat and hit the floor with a start. The poor dog shook her head back and forth, trying to wake herself and make sense out of what just happened. She climbed back onto the seat and put her paws on the top of the front seat, looking for Grace, quite dazed and confused. She relaxed a little when she saw her mistress in the driver’s seat, realizing then that they were still in the car. Grace laughed aloud at the funny sight, pushing her dog away gently when she tried to lick her cheek.

She made her way up the long, winding driveway slowly, growing more nervous by the second. She wasn’t sure what sort of reception she would receive from her grandmother. This was not the first time she had showed up at her door...jobless. Homeless. One thing she was certain of was that her grandmother would never leave her out on the street, or hungry. However, there was definitely going to be a lecture involved in her reception. That she knew she could count on. And her grandmother may not be too happy about her leaving Michael, as she was quite fond of him. She supposed she would simply have to take the criticism as it came.

The house came into view clearly as she got closer. It was a two-story, white house that was badly in need of repair. There was peeling paint on its façade and the tall columns lining the deep front porch, which wrapped around three quarters of the house. One of its blue shutters were missing and the others all looked somewhat askew. The plumbing and electrical was almost as old as the house itself, which was built around 1940, as far as anyone could ascertain. But even with all of its faults, the only thing she saw when she looked at this house was home.

Finally coming to the end of the long drive, Grace parked her car in the usual spot, in front but off to the side. That way, if anyone came in or out the front door, it was too far away for them to see the embarrassingly messy interior. The second she opened the car door, Casey was off and running. She never worried about her scampering around leashless here. The obedient dog knew how far she was allowed to go and how long she could get away with being gone. Grabbing only her purse and keys for now, she stepped out of the car and began walking toward the front door. She took each step with purpose, as slowly as she could; all the while telling herself not to be such a wimp. When she got up on the porch, she whistled for her dog to come; deciding she couldn’t stretch it out any more than she had. Casey came bounding up to her after a minute or so and they both stepped up; Grace swallowing hard before knocking on the crimson-colored door.