Finding Grace

Whats Really Going On?

Warren woke up the next day excited to see Amara and Grace.

Wasting no time, he ran to the local bakery and got a dozen doughnuts to surprise them with. He figured a little of everything would be perfect.

Roberta let him in as soon as he arrived, she was so happy to see him. Giving him a big hug when he entered.

It was such a night and day difference from last night. The vibe had become so much happier and lighter.

After grabbing the doughnuts from him, Roberta led him to the grand staircase. Pressing the intercom to let Amara know her guest was there.

In moments, he could see her silhouette descending the staircase. She was wearing a flowy white sundress that made Warren take a longer glance than he should have.

The girl who left so long ago was definitely a beauty back then. But Amara was no longer that girl and the realization of the woman that she had become, knocked the breath out of him. Though he'd never see her as more than a sister, he couldn't help but admit how much she'd grown into herself and had become an exquisite beauty.

Amara was wearing large black sunglasses and a large-brimmed black sun hat. She seemed to almost flow as she and Warren walked Grace around the zoo in her stroller. Amara was feeling completely content and happy at that moment. Only wishing she could stay in it forever. She didn't want to go back home. Or at least to the lonely giant prison she called home.

Being with Warren reminded her of so much she had missed, and it made her heart ache more. She missed her family every moment of every day and this just made her longing for them worse. But she was thankful for this time with him and she'd take anything she could get. This time with her once-best friend was a rare treat that she thoroughly enjoyed. Even with the feelings it's bringing up.

They had a blast looking at all the different animals. Amara and Warren laughed at all of the animal imitations Grace did.

It had finally gotten dark and Warren didn't want to take Amara and Grace home. Everything inside him just wanted to run away with them. He knew there was something wrong over there but he knew he couldn't ask. She wouldn't answer him and with Grace around, she'd only get mad at him for bringing it up in front of her.

He felt lost and heartbroken.

Pulling up, Grant was outside and appeared to be waiting for them.

"Well, thank you for returning my wife." Granted greeted through his clenched teeth.

Warren caught the angry strain in his voice at my wife and it made him tense up. He knew it wasn't his place to protect Amara, this was her husband but something about him was off and Warren could feel it.

Warren grabbed the sleeping Grace but Grant moved quickly to take her.

"I can take my daughter thanks." Grant sneered. Warren could hear the emphasis on 'my' again.

Grace instantly woke up from being in her father's arms.

Wriggling free Grace ran and gave Warren a big hug. "Goodnight Uncle Warry." She told him.

"Goodnight sweetheart. I had so much fun with you guys and I can't wait to do it again next time."

Amara didn't come close to Warren just waved goodbye awkwardly.

"Goodnight Warren, thank you for going to the zoo with us and I hope you have a safe flight."

"Goodnight Amara, Goodnight Grace." He beamed at them.

"Grant." He said plainly, dropping his smile.

Before getting into his car he could hear Grant.

"I thought I told you to clean up the trash not go out on a date with him." Warren adjusted uncomfortably as he watched him grab her by her upper arm and dragg her into the house. He watch as she stumbled a few time due to Grant's pulling before the door finally closed.

Warren knew Amara deserved so much better and Grant always thought Warren had alternative motives for seeing Amara so it made it hard to spend time with her or to know what was really going on in the hell house. As the Amaras family back home nicknamed it.

_______________________

⁰

When Gracie heard Warren's voice the next morning she ran to him.

"Uncle Warry!" she squeaked with excitement. She jumped into his arms and gave him a big hug.

Amara poked her head into the hallway, surprised to hear Warren's voice.

"I thought you were going back home?" She asked him, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"My client needed more time, so I'm here for another day or two." He lied. The truth was he couldn't leave her or Grace. He knew something was wrong, and he couldn't leave until he knew they were both safe.

He knew he would never be able to confront Amara about his concerns, nor would she ever tell him herself, what was really going on. All Warren knew from what Amara had told him was about the dinner parties and how she missed being a kid with him.

Nothing about any of this.

They spent the day playing board games and making a mess in the kitchen together. They were just finishing cleaning up when suddenly, Grant arrived home.

Walking in to see Warren, everyone could tell Grant was upset about it.

Signaling for Amara to come closer, he pulls her by the arm to their bedroom upstairs. Everyone downstairs could hear a faint rumbling.

Grant was upset that Warren was still around.

Throwing her onto the bed he began screaming and berating her.

Warren looked around but could no longer could see Grace.

"Where's Grace?" He asked Roberta panicked.

"She's in bed already and has been for a while." She explained.

"But she was just here." He tried to say but she shushed him.

At first, Warren didn’t understand, but in a whisper, the housekeeper explained.

"He won't bother Gracie if she's in bed already, so she tries to be asleep when he gets home. So as far as anyone's concerned, she's been in bed for a while." Roberta explained.

Grant came down the stairs shortly after. They could hear the anger with every pounding step.

Warren saw Roberta stiffen. He noted to himself how all of the many people in the house reacted to Grant's presence.

"It seems my wife has had a bit too much to drink and decided to retire for the night. So I guess it's a good time for you to leave. Roberta? Show him out and then clean this mess." He ordered.

The look on Roberta’s face prior told a different story, and he already knew that Amara hadn't been drinking tonight.

As soon as he was far enough away from their house, he pulled over. Warren then pulled out his phone and began texting someone.

‘Hey, sorry I know it's late, but it's about Amara.’

'Call me as soon as you can'

After sending the two texts Warren tossed his phone to the passenger seat and drove away.