Finding Grace

Mr. Misery

There, right in the driveway in front of them, they saw Grant locked in a passionate make-out session with his secretary. His hands were all over her body.

As if his family wasn't there watching them. Amara knew he could see that they had pulled up and was doing this on purpose. What was he trying to do? Trying to prove? All he was doing was making her blood boil.

Shameful, but even more so, was a mother who did nothing but tell Amara to wait until he was done.

"What?" Amara gasped at her words.

"It's not our place to interrupt. Let him finish talking with his companion."

"That's not talking." Amara sneered.

"I know it's hard dear, but this is our life. Adjust to it and stay calm. This is a matter to be discussed behind closed doors. Don't go making a scene." She told her pointedly.

Amara, of course, didn't listen and got out of the car without another word. Motioning for the driver to take the thankfully sleeping Grace inside to hand her off to Roberta. Who had been waiting by the door when she had heard Eleanor's car pull up.

"Really Grant, in front of Gracey and your own mother?" She yelled at him after Grace had been safely put inside.

Amara shook her head at him, and his secretary just smirked, pissing Amara off more. She fought the angry tears that were threatening to fall. She felt her face getting hot.

"Amara, I think that's enough, let's get inside," Eleanor told her as she lightly intertwined her arm with Amara's to guide her away.

But Amara stood her ground. Refusing to budge an inch.

"It's one thing that you're screwing your disgusting tramp of a secretary, but to bring it in front of our daughter and your mother?! To do this in the home that we share. Together . . . What a new low from someone I couldn't even think lower of." Amara's voice sounded broken. Finally, realizing how little he cared for or respected her.

In seconds, Grant had Amara by the throat with one hand, raising her a few inches off the ground.

"I may have to tolerate you, but I will not tolerate you speaking to me that way when you're no more than a lowly rat in my eyes yourself. Don't mistake your place here."

He threw her aside with such force, yet he made it seem effortless. Falling to the ground and hitting her head on one of the ceramic pots that they had lining the driveway.

"Mother." He greeted through his teeth. "You can say whatever you want but you nor father will ever be able to force me to do anything I don't want to do. So you can take that w***e of a daughter-in-law you love so much and leave me and my life alone.

The woman in his arms just smirked at Eleanor. Eleanor didn't know much about this obviously conceited woman, but what she did know, she didn't like her one bit.

Grant abruptly got into his car and drove away with his secretary. Not even taking a second glance back at Amara to see if she was okay.

_____________

"Why did you have to upset him like that?" Eleanor said as she helped Roberta patch Amara up in the master bathroom.

"You know he can't control his temper." She shook her head. Defending her son's actions.

Amara didn't speak. She knew there was no point.

This woman was trained to protect her son and husband, who were so much alike.

She was trapped in this world, and for the very first time, Roberta saw exactly why this poor young woman felt so helpless and alone. Everyone around her not only allowed this type of behavior to happen to her but also blamed her for her outbursts.

"I think it's time for Amara to rest." Roberta told them.

Eleanor was about to protest but Roberta didn't give her time to. Rushing her out of the room and then out of the door. Coming back to Amara moments later with some hot tea and fresh muffins.

"Thank you." Amara told her weakly. She would never be able to repay the kindness that Roberta had shown her.

The next few days, Amara spent upstairs hiding.

Eleanor had taken Grace for the night, and Amara was just about to get up to go get her when Grant came through the door with an excited Gracey running in to give her mama a gigantic hug.

"Next time you don't feel like you want to take care of our child, let me know, and don't just dump her on my mother. It's pathetic." Grant spat at her.

"

"Eleanor wanted her for the night. What? Was I supposed to tell your mother that she couldn't spend time with her granddaughter?"

Grant stared daggers at her before going into his study.

Returning shortly after holding papers that Grace had drawn on.

"What the hell is this?!" He screamed at them both.

Amara instinctively pulled Grace behind her.

"What happened?" Amara asked cautiously.

"What the hell do you think happened? Are you that much of a brain-dead bimbo? Your lazy ass didn't want to watch our daughter, as per usual, and she drew all over my important contracts." His face was so red she thought he was going to blow up at any moment.

Amara found herself standing in front of a fuming Grant with his hands already balled up into fists. His knuckles were already white.

She closes her eyes and takes in a deep breath, awaiting the impact, but instead, three loud pounds on the front door distract them.

"Expecting someone?" He asks coldly, Amara just shakes her head no in response. Tears were running uncontrollably down her face.

"Go clean yourself up, you look disgusting." He told her disgusted with her.

Knowing it was probably for Grant anyway, she grabbed Grace and held her in her arms as she went upstairs to get herself 'cleaned up'.

"Do your job and go answer the door!" Grant yelled at Roberta. "Tell whoever it is we're busy and to go away." He returned to his study. Slamming the door behind him.