For the love of Grace

Past Break-ins

PAST BREAK-INS

GRACE POV

When we pulled into my driveway I saw the front door was open. I looked over at Dean. “I’m guessing you didn’t leave that door open.” he said." “No I didn’t," I replied. I got out of my car and walked up on the porch and saw that the small window next to the door was broken. Someone must have broken it so they could reach in and unlock the door.

I went to walk in but Dean grabbed my arm. “Wait a minute, someone could still be here." Dean quietly walked through the door and started checking out the house. I walked in behind him and stayed close. After we searched all of the rooms we were confident no one was still here. “I’m going to call the police." I told him. I dialed 911 and filled them in.

This time the police chief showed up. “Gracie Maze, what’s goin on darlin?” chief Brannigan asked as he came strolling in. "Hi Chief, I came home and found that my place was broken into." I told him. “Was anything stolen?” he asked, pointing around the room. "Nothing was stolen but, whoever it was broke all of my pictures." I said “What do you mean broke your pictures?” he asked, with a small laugh.``

"She means that some jackass broke into her home and smashed every photo of her before leaving.” I heard Dean say from behind me. “And who might you be?” Chief asked. “Dean Pritchett sir. I’m a friend of Grace’s” he said confidently. Both men stared at each other in the eyes like this was some standoff. It was an uncomfortable moment of silence and I decided that it was long enough.

"Is there anything you can do Chief?'' I asked. “Not at this point but if there are anymore break ins in the area, I’ll be sure to let you know.” He tipped his hat and walked towards the front door before he stopped and looked back at me,“You know, I’m sure Ryan could stop by and fix this window for you, no problem.” He said as he raised his brow. "I’ll be OK," I replied. "Have a good night." I said.

I took a deep breath and sighed. "I really thought I was passed all of this." “Passed what exactly?” Dean asked. I sighed and began telling Dean what happened. "About six months ago I broke things off with my ex Ryan. Afterwards, strange things started happening." “What kind of strange things?” he asked. "My car window would be broken, or a tail light. One night while I was asleep someone threw a rock through my bay window.

It went on for about three months. Chief Brannigan said he never could figure out who was doing all of those things and there were no witnesses. But…" my voice trailed off, as I stared down at the floor nervously. “But what? Go ahead, you can tell me.” he said." I could have sworn that it was Ryan doing all of those things. I don’t have any proof though."I replied. “Why do you think it was Ryan?” he asked.

"One night I was locking up my shop when I caught a glimpse of someone standing outside the door, staring at me. I turned around to get a better look and they were gone. I swore it looked just like Ryan." “Have you seen Ryan since your break up?” Dean asked." He used to go to your uncles church which is why I stopped going. It was too awkward. I was nervous about showing up today.

But I didn’t see him there. Maybe he changed churches. Mama said he would try to talk to her every Sunday and ask about me. He would ask her to try and convince me to change my mind." I said. “How long were yall together?” Dean asked." "Since my senior year of High School. We went to prom together. We graduated together. We even went to the same business school. He owns the local gun store. His grandpa left it to him when he died.

Since Ryan studied business in college he took over and has been there ever since." I said. “Sounds like you two were serious,” Dean said. “We were," I said, as I stared out the kitchen window. “ We were engaged." I replied. “Why did you end things?” Dean asked." I sighed as my heart began to hurt thinking about the past. “My daddy died last year from cancer. After he died, mama got really depressed and I started spending most of my nights with her. I’d sit with her until she fell asleep and if it was too late I would just spend the night.

Ryan started getting agitated saying I wasn’t around enough. He started drinking and one night I came home from the flower shop and he was here drunk. I decided just to go straight to bed but Ryan wasn’t having it. He grabbed my arm and pulled me down from the step. I tripped and twisted my ankle. That made Ryan even more mad. He grabbed me by my hair and then neck and picked me up. He started saying I was cheating on him and he was going to snap my neck. I had to knee him in the balls to get away.

Once I did, I called his dad and he came over and picked him up. We never spoke of it again. The next day I dropped Ryan’s things off to his parents house and left. I haven’t spoken to him since." “Wow, no man should ever put his hands on a woman. It’s unacceptable. I’m sorry that happened to you.” Dean said as he placed his hand on my shoulder to offer me comfort. I put my hand on top of his and just stared out the window for a few seconds more." How about that coffee?" I said.

Dean and I sat in my living room talking all night. We were so lost in our conversation I didn’t even realize the sun was coming up. "I can’t believe I’ve talked your ear off all night." I said, as I extended my arms above my head and yawned.

“I talked just as much darlin.” he said. This man was such a smooth talker. The sound of his voice did something to me and I think he knew it. "I should probably shower and get ready for work. I can drop you off on my way to the shop if you’d like?" I offered “That would be kind of you. Thank you. I will go and make another pot of coffee while you hop in the shower.” "Thanks," I said and headed up the stairs.

Dean POV

As Grace got ready for the day, I headed to the kitchen to make us some coffee. As I waited for the coffee to finish brewing I heard noises coming from outside. I decided to take a walk around the side of the house to make sure everything was OK. Since the war, I have struggled with loud noises. Being in Iraq caused a lot of panic attacks and the simplest noises like trash trucks slamming metal trash cans or fireworks have been difficult.

I am constantly looking over my shoulder or ducking for cover. It was really bad when I first got back but my uncle helped me through it. So when I heard the noise outside I felt the need to check it out. When I rounded the corner I saw a young guy in his mid twenties trying to break into the shed. "Excuse me friend, is there something I can help you with?"

“Who the hell are you?” the man asked. "My name is Dean. I am a friend of Miss Grace”s. Who might you be?" “I’m Ryan, I’m Grace’s fiance,” he said as he started to approach me. "From what I heard Grace ended things with you quite some time ago friend." I replied “She just needed a break and I’m not your friend.” Ryan stated, becoming angrier as our conversation continued. "Hmm, well maybe I misunderstood.

Grace is inside getting ready for work. Would you like me to tell her you stopped by?" I definitely would have relayed the message but I wanted the tone in my voice to relay a message to him as well. “If I have something to say to my fiance, I will say it to her myself. You know, this neighborhood can be a little sketchy at night. You should be careful. Especially in this particular part of town.” Ryan said as he stared me in the eye.

I could tell he was threatened by me being here and was trying to level the playing field. If he thought he was intimidating me, he thought wrong. "I do believe I can handle myself but I appreciate the tip. You have yourself a good day Brian." Ryan and I held our positions for a few moments before he broke eye contact and huffed away. Before he got back to his truck he turned and looked at me and said, “It’s Ryan, dick.”

I stood my ground and waited until he was back in his truck and driving away. I waived at him as he looked at me through his rearview. That should have pissed him off good, I was well aware his name was Ryan, but he didn't need to know that. I thought to myself with a chuckle.