Going Home

Part 20

As they entered their apartment, concerned Grace looked at Josh. They had been silent all the way home. She wanted to give Josh time to think about everything but now she hoped he was ready to talk.

After closing the front door Josh strode into the living room and sitting on the couch rubbed his hands over his face.  The agitation he was feeling visible in his movements. He was more confused than ever now and was doing his head in.

Running her hand tenderly over his head as she sat down next to him, Grace asked “you okay?”

Frowning, Josh glanced at her then away again and growled “stuffed if I know.”

Moving onto her knees so she could reach him, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and kissed the side of his jaw. She asked “can I do anything to help?”

“Yeah tell me what I do now.”

Smiling Grace said “I wish I could Josh, but you have to decide that otherwise it won’t work.” Then after a pause she asked “what did you think about what your mother said?”

Turning his head to look at her, his expression was grim. “I don’t know. I’d like to believe what she said but it’s been so long.”

“I know Josh” she said. Then treading carefully she asked “tell me this then Josh, what was she like when you were growing up? What sort of person was she? Would you have believed then that she would have not wanted to speak to you for so many years no matter what happened?”

Looking away Josh considered this for a minute. “No” he finally said in a quiet voice.

Grace nodded. “Then she probably didn’t Josh.”

Turning his head Josh looked at her puzzled. “What did you think?”

Grace shrugged her shoulders “it’s different for me. I’m not as involved, so I can see both sides. Hearing what she had to say I could understand how it was for her and how things turned out the way they did. From what I saw today I think she’s a good person and I don’t think she meant to hurt you or to leave it so long before contacting you. I think she got caught up in a horrific situation the same as you did. And I think she’s suffered for it as much as you have.”

Josh was silent. He didn’t know what to think. He could see the point Grace was making, that they were all victims of circumstance but after all those year he didn’t know if he could forgive so easily.

Watching Josh Grace saw his worried expression and wanting to take his mind off it for a while she said “look why don’t we leave it there for now and go and have a drink and a game of pool. A change of scenery may help clear your head.” Then smiling, she teased “besides I might have a chance of beating you if you’re distracted.”

Shaking off the concerns about his parents for the moment, Josh responded to her levity. A crooked smile appearing on his face he said “think so? We’ll see about that” and giving her a quick kiss he stood. Helping Grace to her feet he led the way out the door, as they headed for their local pub.