For the love of Grace

Gracie Maze “Grace! Are you home? It’s Mama!” Ugh, I had just gotten into the bath and already I was being interrupted. "Be right down Mom!" I shouted from the tub. Frustrated, I stood from my nice warm bubble bath and wrapped myself in one of my new plush towels. I opened the door to the bathroom and hollered down the stairs, “I was in the tub mom, I’ll be down shortly." “OK honey take your time. I will just straighten up around here!” She yelled back up. Straighten up? Why would she need to clean? I just cleaned.  I went to my closet and started going through my clothes. It was beautiful outside and I wanted to dress for the weather. I pulled out my favorite sundress, white with yellow daisies. I grabbed my strappy yellow sandals. I pulled my long dark brown curls into a messy bun and threw on some mascara and lip gloss. My Legs, ass, lips and eyes were my best features and I loved to show them off. I wasn’t one of “those” girls but I did like to look good.  I made my way downstairs.  When I reached the bottom step I saw my mother running around the kitchen pushing the swiffer. "Hi Mama, how are you?" I asked her as I slid past her and to the fridge. My mama, Peggy, was 5’5 with shoulder length silver hair that was once a chocolate brown. I took after her when it came to looks. We are roughly the same height. I was just shy of 5’5. My mother has a beautiful heart and kind soul. To know her was to love her. “Oh hey sweetie! Don’t you look nice! Do you have a date?” she said as she put her hands together as if she was praying. I pulled the orange juice from the fridge and set it on the counter. "No mama, I am just dressed this way because I like to."  I saw my mother’s face go from hopeful to sad. "Mama, I will find someone when the time is right. Who knows when that will be." “Hopefully before I’m dead.” I heard her mumble under her breath. I poured myself some OJ and sat down at the table. "So Mama, what are you doing here?" I asked, trying not to sound condescending. “I thought we could go to lunch! “ she said excitedly. I tried searching my brain for a reason as to why I couldn’t go but I couldn’t think of a good one. "OK, where to?"  Mom and I arrived at Mon Ami Gabi around noon. It was a nice French restaurant/diner we frequented for brunch.  Mom knew everyone here which meant everyone here knew my business. “Oh hey ladies! How are my two favorite customers?” I heard coming  from the one and only Gertrude. Gertrude, better known as Gerty, was the biggest gossip in Reston, Virginia. Everyone knew everyone else’s business and it was because of Gerty.  “Oh Gerty! How are you dear?” My mother stood from her seat and hugged her friend. “I’m doing so well, I got a new car, just outside over there in the parking lot! The color is dusty rose! Don’t you just love it?” Gerty had a thick southern accent. Listening to her talk was amusing. It was talking TO her that I tried to avoid. “Oh my, Gracie is that you?” Gerty asked in an annoyingly high pitched voice. "Yep, it’s me Gerty. The one and only!"  “You are a beautiful girl! Tell me some handsome fella has stolen your heart hasn’t he?” She said as she leaned in, waiting for my answer. "Sorry Gerty, no such luck. I’m still on the market." “Oh well don’t you worry honey! Your prince is out there somewhere!” Gerty said. "Oh I’m not worried," I confidently replied. Gerty smiled politely and asked for our order.  After our order arrived, mom and I fell into some casual but comfortable conversation. She asked me how work was going. I own a flower shop on Main street. Ever since I was a kid I was obsessed with flowers. I loved watching people buy flowers and give them to someone special. It was so romantic. I always fantasized about men bringing me flowers.  "The flower shop is great! I hired another cashier to help out so that I could have off on Sundays. It’s really going well," I replied. “Fantastic! I’m really glad to hear you are off today because I was hoping you would go to church with me.” I inwardly groaned at my mothers words. I really didn’t feel like attending her church and being hounded by all of her friends. I can hear them now, “Are you married? Any kids? A special man in your life?” and on and on. Those women were constantly trying to set me up on dates.  My mother patiently waited for my reply. Of course I couldn’t say no. My mom was always there when I needed her and ever since my dad died, she really poured herself into her work at the church. Even though she took on more responsibility at her church she always made sure to check in on me. "OK mama, I will go with you to church." Mom sat up straight and smiled. “God is good Gracie Maze, God is good!” she said.  Thank you for reading the first chapter!! Please leave a comment and let me know what you think so far! I am submitting this book as a pay to read.