Have Faith In Me

Grace woke up the next morning a little confused about the bed she was in until she remembered everything that happened the night before. She sighed to herself as she sat up and reached for her phone. She knew she had missed calls from everyone and that they were worried about where she was. She checked her phone to see five text messages from both of her brothers, as well as three missed calls from her dad, three from her mom and one from Gavin. She knew she should call them back but she didn’t want to. She was still angry at them all. So instead she sat her phone on the side table and got out of the bed. She looked down at the boxers and t-shirt that Mike had given her the night before. She laughed at how his shirt came to her knees and put her hair up in a ponytail before opening the bedroom door and making her way down the stairs. She walked towards the living room and saw Mike sleeping on the couch. She laughed quietly as she noticed his right leg hanging off the couch. She couldn’t help but smile as she saw his mouth slightly open and heard his light snores. Another thing she noticed was his chest that was covered in tattoos. She wanted to run her fingers over the beautiful designs that covered his skin. As she backed away Grace decided that because Mike showed her so much hospitality she would make him breakfast. She made her way into the kitchen and looked in the refrigerator. She pulled out some eggs, bacon and butter for the toast she was going to make. Grace was in the process of making the eggs when she heard a noise behind her. She turned and saw Mike standing by the kitchen doors staring at her.

“Good morning.” She said smiling at him.

“Morning beautiful.” Mike said with a smirk.

“Is that my nickname or something? You never call me by my real name.” Grace said putting eggs, bacon and toast on two plates.

“Grace is a great name. I just think beautiful fits you better.” Mike said sitting on a stool at the counter.

Grace placed the two plates on the counter and grabbed two bottles of water out of the fridge. She handed one to Mike and took a seat across from him.

“Do you ever run out of flirty comments for me?” Grace said picking up a piece of bacon.

“Never.” Mike said before eating a piece of toast.

The pair sat at the counter and ate the food in a comfortable silence. When they were finished Mike grabbed both plates and put them in the sink.

“Thanks for breakfast Grace. You really didn’t have to.” Mike said sitting down next to her.

“Yes I did. You let me stay the night here. It was the least I could do.” Grace said looking at her hands. Mike grabbed one and held it in his hands.

“I let you stay here because you were upset, needed a place to go and we’re friends. Friends do that for each other right?” Mike said smiling at her.

“Yeah I guess so.” Grace said looking at Mike.

“Ok then. So what was bothering you last night anyway?” Mike asked

Grace sighed before speaking. “I came out here this summer to spend time with my dad. Him and my mom divorced when I was young and they never told me why. I always thought he didn’t care about her or us because he never spent time with us. But then both of my brothers started talking to him and my mom seemed ok with him so they tried to get me to talk to him, which is how I ended up out here. Last night we were having dinner with my aunt, her husband and daughter. My niece slipped up and said that my dad had a boyfriend. Earlier that day I had met the guy but my dad told me they were just friends. Everyone there knew my dad was gay. Even my mom knew. I just felt so lied to. I would’ve understood if my dad told me that he fell out of love with my mom and liked men. You can’t help who you are attracted to. But he didn’t and I felt like he didn’t care about me. I thought that even more when no one told me. I just can’t believe they all kept that from me.” Grace said looking down.

Mike wrapped his arm around Grace and rubbed her arm.

“I understand what you’re saying. But just think about your dad. Not your mom or brothers, just your dad. He knew how you felt about him and maybe he just wanted to tell you on his own time. It can’t be easy to tell your daughter who you have a bad relationship with that the reason he left her mom was because he liked men.” Mike said

“Yeah I guess your right. I was just really mad.” She said

“And you had a reason but I think you should talk to your dad. That will make everything better.” Mike said smiling

“You’re right.” Grace said standing up. “I should probably go.”

Mike nodded at her and Grace then left the kitchen and ran to Mike room. She quickly changed back into her clothes and fixed Mike’s cover before sitting his clothes on top. She grabbed her phone and noticed she had another missed call from her dad. She saw he left a voicemail and she decided to listen to it.

Grace this is your dad. Look I know you are really angry with me. To be honest you have every right to be. I did lie to you. I didn’t know how to tell you so I kept it from you. I know you were really hesitant to come out here and stay with me and I’ve messed up. I don’t want to keep you here if you can’t stand it. So if you want to go home, I understand. I just don’t want you to be angry with your mom and your brothers. They wanted to tell you but I made them promise not to because I wanted to tell you myself. But that plan didn’t work out. Whatever you decide to do I’ll be ok with it. Grace I know you haven’t heard this from me a lot but I really do love you. I always have. You are my baby girl. But if it makes you happier to go home and be with your mom and your friends then do that. I just want you to be happy even if I’m not. I love you G

By the end of that message Grace was in tears. She couldn’t help but hear how sad and defeated her dad sounded. He sounded like he had lost one of the most important things to him. She didn’t want him to feel that.

Grace immediately stood up and grabbed her things before walking out of the room. She ran down the stairs just as Mike was walking out of the kitchen.

“Hey.” He said

“Hey,” she replied “I’m going to head home. Talk to my dad.”

“Ok. I hope everything works out.” Mike said walking her to his front door.

“Yeah me too.” She said “So text me the address to your friend’s house later. I still want to come.”

“How about I pick you up. You can ride with me. You are my date. We should show up together.” Mike said smirking as Grace laughed lightly and shook her head.

“Ok I’ll text you later then.” Grace said as Mike nodded.

Mike opened his arms and Grace walked in his arms and gave him a tight hug.

“Thanks for everything Mike.” She said looking up at him.

“Don’t mention it beautiful.”

She blushed like usual and opened the door.

“I’ll talk to you later.” Grace said

“Ok. Good luck with your dad.” Mike said she nodded and began walking to her car.

“I’m going to need it.”