“Saying something that’s on my mind.”
“You don’t have to?—”
She leveled me with a flat stare that shut me up. “They know how Brooke is, and by now, they should know you too. Sure, some of them didn’t like you at first, but that doesn’t mean they should take Brooke’s side.”
“So, you’re yelling at them?”
“Exactly.” She typed furiously. “All right, done. They can all have fun with that. I’m turning my phone off.”
“Thank you,” I said. “Do you think they’ll ever trust me again?”
“They might be stupid sometimes, but they see sense when it’s knocked into them. Hopefully what I said did it.”
“Thank you, Grace.” Virginia said it softly. “That was sweet of you.”
Grace stifled a yawn and looked in between us. “So, do we just sit here and process?”
“I think we should sleep,” I said. “If we can.”
“I’m not opposed to that.” She sighed. “But before you do, will you make sure the door’s locked?”
That was her best idea of all. I immediately sprang to my feet. “Gladly.”
Strawberry Springs Neighborhood Watch
Grace Day:Hi. I know that the last few hours have been full of drama, but let’s not forget that times with Brooke usually are. I’m aware of what happened. I’m handling it.
I’ll just say this. I’ve listened to you all complain aboutBrooke for years. You all know what kind of person she is. You also know what kind of person Dean is. Especially the longer he’s been in town. So why, without any questions or thoughts, did some of you take her side? Anyone with two brain cells knew she was on a tirade and Dean was trying to stop her.
We’re a community, and I appreciate that you all want to protect me. I’ve taken a lot over the years, especially with Brooke. I don’t need you vetting who I choose to spend my time with. I’m capable of doing that myself.
I’ll pose the real question you should ask yourself. Did you all believe what you heard because it confirmed a predisposed belief you had of Dean? Were you all ready to jump on an outsider again, just like you did with Cain?
Because it seems like you did. Grow up.
As I grow and change, I’ll find people who care about me, and you don’t get to oust who you don’t get a good first impression of.
And by the way, Brooke is no longer allowed in my home. I’m sure you’ll hear she’s spending the night in jail for assaulting Dean AND me. All of your protection didn’t do anything.
Do better.
Comments:
Jade Clark:Holy shit, Grace. This is the most badass thing I’ve ever seen. (And for the rest of you, I fucking knew I was right. I’ll accept apologies in the form of buying candles from the shop.)
Wren Hackett:YES, QUEEN.
Tammy Jane:Heard, Grace. Wren already gave me an earful. I’m gonna do better from now on.
Hu Gh:You all are gullible as hell. You let BROOKE pull the wool over your eyes? Shameful.
Grace’s phone was still off the next day, but mine wasn’t. And that was when the texts came in. I figured I was about to catch all the flak for what had happened.
It wasn’t that.
Cain
Heard about what happened. Pay the town no mind. They’ll get their heads out of their asses eventually. Let me know if you need anything. I’m so sorry for what happened.