Still steaming over the turn of events Grace swallowed hard at the knowledge that Emma disappeared on her in hopes of helping out somehow…
   Grimacing, Grace tried to have faith in her father's business contacts to help find Emma, as well as Isaac's friend Brent.
   Thinking over the past few months, Grace couldn't fault Emma's dumb idea of taking the blame for it all.
   "I'm young and stupid sometimes," she muttered under her breath and she parked her car and swung out with cool ease. "But it was my life and my decisions, and not all her fault."
   Stepping onto grass lawn without care she started lengthening her strides, "barely any of it is her fault."
   Letting her anger build up, she banged her knuckles against the wooden door, ignoring the stinging. "Taylor." She smiled benignly. "Just the person I wanted to see."
   He smiled nervously, "What's up, Grace?" He started to back away suddenly, "wanna come in?"
   Grace shook her head, but kept the smile in place on her painted mouth. "No, sweetie. I just wanted to give you something." She giggled, "a couple of things actually."
   Shrugging, Taylor stepped outside with her, and closed the door behind him. "Want to take a walk first, or stay up here."
   Grace shrugged as well, "Here is fine. This will be real short." She batted her eyelashes, "dear."
   Nodding, Taylor started rocking on his feet. "Alright…"
   Grinning, in one smooth fluid motion Grace sucker punched him in the stomach.
   Leaning over his now groaning curled up form on the porch; Grace nudged him with the toe of her sneaker. "That's for playing me, and then lying to me."
   Pacing the cemented porch, avoiding the still mumbling Taylor, Grace tried walking off her anger now. "You see, in a way I understand the things you did. Well, the lying at least. But I'm pissed at my parents too, for doing the same thing. Doctor Connelly says I shouldn't be, and even wants me to see a therapist, which I've refused for now."
   She turned and though still glaring at him, helped him up, "I know someday that I will forgive you for all that you've done, Tay. But right now, is not the time."
   Pressing a kiss to his cheek, Grace walked off the porch and towards her car. She understood all too well, exactly what it meant to keep things bottled up, or ignoring them, or not letting things go. Her angry and resentful behavior led her to become what she was and suffer the consequences of her actions; it wasn't going to happen again.
   Sliding back into her car, and driving away Grace felt one more weight leave her shoulders. She wasn't going to run or push things back anymore. It was time for a new life. No more meek and sweet, and no more playing games. It was time to grow up some. Actually, a lot.
   Pulling back into her own driveway, Grace sat quietly in her car with the engine off. Just staring at this house she'd lived in for so long now. The memories it held, the good and the bad, and the ridiculous ones. The security it stood for, and the realization that it would always be a big part of her life. Not just her past or present, but her future as well.
   Smiling again, Grace finally opened her car door and started heading for that black front door she never really looked at before.
   Humming, she stepped inside and took in a deep breath. The familiar scents of wood polish, and lilac air freshener hit her like a living memory. "Mom!" She called out, heading through the foyer and into the step-down living room. "Dad?"
   The silence irked her, and made her uncomfortable. "Where are you guys?"
   The sliding of door of her father's den caused her to turn around and smile. Though it faded when she saw the pinched expressions on her parents' faces. "What's wrong?"
   "Maybe we should sit down, dear." Mrs. James started gently, holding her arms out to her.
   Nodding slowly, Grace grabbed her hands and they moved to sit down on the dark blue couch. "Okay, we're sitting now. What's going on? What's happened since I left two hours ago?"
   Looking at her husband, Mrs. James waited for him to break the news.
   Clearing his throat, Mr. James turned over his right hand and looked at it, before rubbing it against his left one. "A hospital near Elk City called here about an hour ago." He looked up at her for a second then back at his hands. "Emma was in a car accident a couple days ago. They got her actually the same night you woke up…"
   Grace nodded slowly; she knew something major had snapped her out of whatever trance she was in. She just didn't know what. "So is she okay? I mean, any broken bones or whatever? Will she come back?"
   Mrs. James sucked in her breath and pulled Grace into her arms. Her shoulders shaking over quiet sobs.
   Grace looked at her mother in shock, then back at her father. "What's happened?!" She cried out, fear creeping in.
   "She died, Grace. She was in a coma, and this morning she passed away. She had your number in her wallet, and evidently they've been calling here, but lately we haven't been home much or worried about picking up any phones or returning messages…"
   Grace understood the regret in his voice, because she could feel it in herself. As well as guilt.
   The phone rang, and then the doorbell. Jumping to her feet, Grace started moving. "I'll get the door."
   Needing the reprieve, she hurried towards the repeating bell chimes. "Coming!" She called once it was set off for the fourth time.
   Jerking it open, she knew she looked as stunned as she felt. "Oh, hey."
   He smiled nervously. "Hey, Grace."
   Trying to smile back Grace shook her head slightly, "What are you doing here?"
   Moving, he raised his hand and handed her a roll of Life Saver's candy, "Apologizing."
   "Grace, Isaac's on the phone." Mrs. James called out before coming up and stepping behind her. "Wants to know if you've seen Zac or Taylor."
   Turning, they both looked at their visitor…