Chapter 2.4
As the night came forward and the sun started to set, the families with younger children started to go home.
“Would you like to dance, Grace?” Jacob, her cousin, held out his hand.
“Sure,” She let herself be guided onto the dance floor.
“Let’s pretend we’re a couple,” Jacob but his arms around her as a slow song came on.
Grace laughed, “Whatever you say, Jaccy.”
Grace and Jacob were close when they were younger, but since Jacob and his family moved away, she hadn't seen much to him.
“Well, you need to learn how to dance for when you find your soulmate,” he winked. He was 23 and his girlfriend was his soulmate. Grace was a little excited to find hers, but she knew it would take time. Her mother and father never found each other until they were in their 30s.
“Jacob! You're supposed to dance with me!” A young woman with light blonde hair huffed.
“Hey Alice,” Grace recognized her cousin’s girlfriend.
Jacob laughed, “Don’t worry darling, I was just teaching young Grace some tricks. Let’s have this dance, shall we?” He let go of Grace. Taking Alice’s hand, he guided her a bit away. Grace shrugged and went to sit on the outlines.
There weren't many people left, only her grandparents, her aunt and uncle, and Alyssa who was waving goodbye to the guy.
“Hey Grace, he's just so nice!” Alyssa blushed as she sat down.
“I've barely seen you all night! First of all, what's his name? Where's he from? I want all the details!” She replied, turning the chair to face her.
“Alright, alright,” Alyssa laughed. “His name is Craig and he's from California, but came here to Texas for a holiday because apparently his father is a music video director for some big bands.”
“So they’re here looking for places to film?” Grace asked.
“I'm not sure, I think they’re just visiting different places. Apparently they're going to New York next. They're leaving in two days,” Alyssa sounded disappointed.
“You should get his phone number and keep in touch!” Grace attempted to cheer her up.
Alyssa’s smile brightened, “I already have, and he promised he’d keep in touch and come and visit as much as he can. I'm going to save up so I can be with him too, but you know what the money’s like around here.”
Grace nodded. She knew well enough that they barely had enough money to keep food on the table, never mind luxuries. Grace had just finished high school and was going to help on the farm. The money just wasn't there for her to go to college.
The song switched to an upbeat pop song, and Mark, Grace’s uncle, came over.
“What are you pretty young ladies doing sitting there? Get out on the dance floor!” He slurred and showed off some pathetic attempts at dancing.
Grace and Alyssa laughed, before joining him out on the dance floor.
A few songs later, everyone was tired out from all the partying, and the rest were heading home. Grace hugged Alyssa goodbye and went to help her parents tidy up. Gillian had already gone to bed, as it was approaching 11pm.
Along with her dad, Grace helped to lift all the extra tables back in the large storage behind the house. It was almost 12am by the time they had put the chairs away too, as well as packing the tent down. Grace’s mother was inside, washing up the dishes in the kitchen.
“I'm going to bed mum,” Grace said as she entered the house and took her shoes off. “Thank you for today.”
“You're welcome Sweetie, sleep well,” her mother replied.