Finding Grace

Better Late, Than Never

Hey everyone!" Warren greeted warmly as Roberta let him in.

His excitement dwindled as he greeted an empty entryway. His hand, which was ready to wave and greet, fell to his side.

"Hello there Mr.?" Roberta greeted him.

She noticed the suitcase he was holding and had suspected he wasn't just a random salesman.

"Isaacs, ma'am. Warren Isaacs. I'm here to see Amara Davis or, I guess, Williamson. I'm sorry."

Roberta knew instantly who this man was and more so, who he was to Amara. Roberta had been praying for a miracle to come save Amara and Grace. She prayed that this was it.

"Ah, Mr. Isaacs, does Mrs. Williamson, know that you'd be coming to visit?"" She asked him, already knowing his answer.

"No." He paused for a moment before continuing. "She doesn't know to be honest. It's always a bad time, so I figured I'd make the time this time and surprise them." He told her honestly.

"Make yourself comfortable, and they will be with you momentarily, Mr. Isaacs, please, wait here while I get Mrs. Williamson for you."

Roberta paused for a moment, not knowing if what she was about to say would be okay or not.

"She's needed someone to make the time, for a very long time now. I just hope you make the time count." Roberta said cryptically.

Warren didn't know what she meant, but he did know that she was leaving a lot out. But why? What was he about to walk into? Warren was already nervous being there.

Roberta could barely make it up the stairs when Amara came barreling down them past her to greet Warren.

"What are you doing here?" Amara asked as she got to the bottom.

Shocked to see her former friend. She almost threw herself around him but managed to compose herself.

Hearing the commotion, Grant came out of his study.

"I thought I told you to tell everyone I had retired for the evening and to send them away!" he told them, aggravated at the disturbance.

"It was Mr. Isaacs for Mrs. Williamson Sir." Roberta spoke quietly.

A deep annoyance was evident in his features as he walked up, but he forced his 100-watt smile.

"I was in town, and I remembered you guys lived close, so I had to stop by and say hello! Finally, meet my niece and see you and Grant, of course." Warren put on his cheesiest grin.

It had been 9 years since she saw Warren. They still called and video chatted from time to time, but everyone knew that they weren't welcome to come visit. They knew that she'd likewise, never leave.

The already tense air became even tenser when Grant wrapped his arm around Amara's waist. She visibly stiffened under his touch. The reaction obviously upset Grant, though he bounced back quickly. His smile only faltered for a moment before returning to its menacing grin.

"It's great to see you again Walter." Grant greeted him, purposely saying his name incorrectly. Shaking his hand with an intense and domineering grip.

"Thank you, Gregg, it's a beautiful house you have." Warren countered him with a smirk. Mirroring the strength of his grip before tightening it and letting it go. Showing the man just a brief glimpse of his real strength. Grant winced just slightly when he did.

Amara interjected before their pissing contest could continue.

"Well, come in and have something to drink with us, Warren." She gestured for him to follow her "Wine or coffee?" she finished.

Warren followed Amara into their living room.

A white floral loveseat surrounded by two white armchairs sat in front of a black brick fireplace.

Amara shook Grace's hair as she walked past her to light the fireplace. Grace was sitting on the floor when they walked in. Currently, playing chess with her teddy bear.

Warren could see that Grace had just gotten done crying. Taking a harder look at Amara, he noticed that she had been upset too. He could suddenly sense the tension surrounding them. He had thought it was because of his surprise arrival, but it seemed to have been there long before Warren showed up.

"What brings you to the city, Wallaby?" Grant asked him.

You could tell he was forcing a light conversation. His cheesy grin made Amara's stomach queasy.

"I have a new client that I'm working with." Warren answered him. He could tell something wasn't right and that he was definitely interrupting something.

"I can't believe you became a lawyer." Amara said, shocked but proud.

"I only work with athletes, so it's not as glamorous as being a lawyer to the stars. Speaking of which, how has business been these days, Greyson?"

"Business has been great as always." He responded dryly as he downed the rest of the Jack.

"That's great to hear," Warren responded awkwardly.

Suddenly, a persistent beeping came from Grant's phone.

His mood lightened as a small smirk crossed his face. Being forced to sit in such close proximity to him, Amara could see that it was Jacqueline sending him a risky picture.

"I'm going to the office," he said abruptly. Standing up and knocking Amara off the edge of the chair as he did. Barely looking up, he told Amara, "I expect you to behave yourself while I'm gone. No getting yourself into trouble."

Warren didn't like the menacing way that Grant's words came off or the way that Amara seemed to constantly stiffen when Grant got close to her.

"I'd like the house clean of any trash when I return," Grant finished. Obviously referring to Warren.

They watched as his silhouette faded into the distance. The room stayed quiet until long after they heard Grant's car backing out of the driveway.

"When will the killjoy be back?" Warren asks, finally disrupting the silence.

Amara just shrugs. What was she supposed to say? Grant could be home in an hour or a week. She never knew anymore.

"Well, then, how about we make plans to hang out tomorrow? Would that be okay?" he asked Amara.

"We can definitely see what we can do," Amara said politely.

"Okay Grace," Warren said, turning his attention to the 5-year-old who was staring up at them. "What do you think we should do tomorrow? Do you want to go to the zoo tomorrow and then go to a fancy restaurant?" Grace excitedly jumped up and down.

"Alright, we'll go to the zoo." Amara told her daughter.

"You did that on purpose." She teased him.

"Well, at least now I know you'll go." He teased her.

He didn't know much about this new version of Amara, but he did know her well enough to know that she would do anything to make Grace happy.