Saving Gracie// Nba Youngboy Story

.9

Gracie

July 24, 1994
2:30 pm

After a day or two of thinking about what Julie said, I realized that it has been a while since I've spoken to April, Darren's mom, so why not pay her a visit. My mom was gone at work like usual, Sophie was still hanging with this mystery boo, Sky was somewhere with Ben and Kentrell was out 'making money' or whatever it is he does, so today was the perfect time to just see how she was doing.

I knocked on the door then stepped back a little, waiting for her to come to the door. It's been a while since I've been over here and I must admit, it felt weird being over here knowing Darren wasn't gonna pop up on the other side of the door with his welcoming smile and warm hug. I could hear her feet as the floor inside the house creaked a little then the knob turned and he door opened. The look on her face when she saw me immediately went from curiosity to surprised

"Gracie" she called out my name, looking at me as if she'd seen a ghost

"Hey ma" I replied with a laughed and she immediately pulled me into a hug, holding me tight

"Oh my gosh, how have you been? I missed you so much"

"I missed you too"

She pulled away from the hug and smiled at me before opening the door wider

"Come on in"

I walked into the house and looked around. Everything still looked the same, but it wasn't the same. The whole mood of the house was very dark. I followed April into the kitchen and sat at the small dining table. Just as I looked at the wall, I saw a blown up version of Darren's senior picture sitting there. The more I continued to look at the picture, the more realistic it began to feel so I quickly looked away

"So, how have you been?" April asked, breaking the silence as she grabbed two cups off of the drying rack and grabbed a picture of lemonade outta the fridge

"Everything's been okay I guess, how about you?"

"I mean, they could get better, but like my counselor said it just takes one day at a time"

"Your counselor?" I asked, furrowing my eyebrows as she walked over to the table, placing one glass in front of me then sat across on the other side of the table, laughing a little

"Child yes. I go see this grief counselor every once in a while to help me out. I wasn't too fond of getting one, but I realized that I can't be strong all the time. Julia's the main reason why I go cause she swears I need help but I think I'm doing just fine" she mumbled the last part while she drunk some of her lemonade

"Speaking of Julia. I ran into her the other day while I was hanging with some friends"

"You did?" She asked surprised, even she knows that Julia hates me "did she have anything nice to say or was she an asshole like usual?"

"Yeah, nothings changed with her" I laughed a little as I picked up the cup and drunk some of the lemonade

"Don't pay that girl any attention. She's just bitter. And please tell me she didn't bring up Darren either?"

"She did. She just basically called me out, tryina say that I moved on from him and some other stuff"

"Ugh, that girl is a piece of work" she groaned "Gracie, listen to me. You better not let anything that girl say get to you. I love my niece, I really do, but that attitude and mouth of hers makes me sick! And now that Darren's gone it's like she don't want anybody to be happy. She just wants us all to mope around"