http://slow.writerscafe.org/theladygraceling The original writings of author theladygraceling en-us Copyright 2026 WritersCafe.org 1776021459 WritersCafe.org RSS Generator 15 Johnny is practically falling asleepagainst the steering wheelwhen I get into the car.I poke him awakeand he sits up yawning and stretching.He looks tiredand raggedand sweatyand he smells."Finally," he mutters."I've been waiting for you.What were you even doingtalking to Jesse Hilton?""Sorry, he jus.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/theladygraceling/1371338/ I watch Willand wait patiently,tapping my toes on the cold, pink tilesand rubbing the smudges on the wooden table.I like Will's kitchen,with its pink walls and pink floorsand the vast array of Yankee Candlesthat fill the room with so many different aromas that shouldn't go together,but do,and the li.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/theladygraceling/1370161/ He says he's starving,which I'm sure is true,but I think he's also tired of carrying me,and the kitchen is the first room we reachwhen he walks through the front door.He sets me downin one of the brown wicker chairssurrounding a brown, wooden table,cracked, smudged, and faded from years of use.It's .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/theladygraceling/1370155/ We used to hang out behind the storeand sit on the hoodof Jesse's blue Mustangthat I named Baby.That was when I stillsort ofliked Jesse,and he wasn't such a jerk,and Charlotte was still alive.We were all good friendseven though Jesse is two grades ahead of us.Actually,I think we were his only friend.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/theladygraceling/1369617/ It makes sensein a Jesse Hilton sort of way.I finally look over at himand I meet his eyes.I hold his gaze for onetwothreesecondsthen I look away again."My mom,"I say gruffly, because it takes too much effortto get the words out,"wants me to see a shrink.""Is that why you were so mad earlier?"I .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/theladygraceling/1369612/ There's a pause.Neither of us speak foronetwothreefourfivesixsevenseconds.Jesse Hilton is the last personI expected to be talking to about this,but for some reason, I can't seem to contain myself."Do you think there's something wrong with me?"I ask him."What could possibly wrong?""Will seems fine.Yo.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/theladygraceling/1369597/ I get to leave work earlybecause it's such a slow day.I was happy to volunteer to gobecause I couldn't focus on work anyway.I sit outside on the curb,waiting for Johnny's car to appear in the parking lot.I could have been picked upover half an hour ago,but that would involve calling my momand asking.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/theladygraceling/1369594/ One of the worst fights with my momwas about Charlotte.I had missed curfew.She caught me in the drivewaytrying to sneak out of Charlotte's little, red Mini Cooper.We hadn't been doing anything bad.Just some late night swimming with a few peoplein the river behind the park.I had only been twenty minu.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/theladygraceling/1369589/ I've never been close to my mother.I've always been more like my dadand Johnny has been more like her.When I was little,she always preferred Johnnybecause I would argue with her every chance I got,I never listened to what she said,I'd get into her clothes and makeup and mess up everything,I'd pout w.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/theladygraceling/1369584/ I didn't realize ituntil I was out of the carand walking through the parking lotthat I had tears in my eyes.I have to stop walking for a few secondsto take a few, shaky, weak, tearful gasps of air.Then I roughly wipe my eyesuntil the tears stop coming.No, I think to myself.No, don't let her do that .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/theladygraceling/1369580/ Will turns off the truckand we sit in silence for a few moments.Then he unbucklesand looks at me."Let's go inside.It's hot."But I just sit therein the intensified heat of the sun through the glass,in the smothering smell of upholsteryand the minty, tree shaped air freshener hanging from the mir.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/theladygraceling/1365682/ When we get to my house,Will doesn't stop.He keeps goingand pulls in front of a nice housewith blue walls,white shutters,rose bushes,and a porch swing that we've broken multiple times.I don't have to tell him to go to his houseinstead of mine.He knows how tiring it isfor me to be home.Home is suffoc.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/theladygraceling/1360736/ I look upand I force myselfto look out the windshield.I try to focus on anything but the treesand the other carsturning into colorful blurs around us.I look at the little bugmaking it's way across the glass.I look at the little smudgesthat formed around the wipers.I look at the little Batman sticker.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/theladygraceling/1360733/ Will drives me home.He usually drives me places these days,in his big, boyish, blue pickup truck,because my car is still being repaired.Even if I had my car backI wouldn't drive it.I still get flashbackswhen I sit in the driver's seat of a car.A week after I came home from the hospitalI had tried to.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/theladygraceling/1360731/ I don't talk to my momas we sit in the car.But of courseshe talks to me.She talks about anything and everything."How are you feeling?""How's work going?""Are you going out again soon?""How's Will?""I don't see Mary Elizabeth much anymore.""Matt seems nice though.""What happened to that other nice bo.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/theladygraceling/1360726/ I've been doing my bestto avoid my motherever since the accident.She never talks about it.But the way she looks at me,the way she talks to me,the way she acts towards me,it makes me think of the accidentmore than actually talking about it does.So I avoid her,and her looks,and her talks,and her actio.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/theladygraceling/1360722/ Jordan is next to his father. I see him next. It's been a while since I've seen him because he's been at college.Jordan looks different. His hair is longer. He looks more muscular. He's tanner. He has intentional stubble. And instead of his usual faded jeans and bleach stained t-shirt, he has an iro.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/theladygraceling/1358946/ Johnny walks into my roomand finds me lying down side up-on the bed,flipping through channels on TV.He jumps onto the bed next to me,making me yelp as the mattress bounces up and down."You left the party early.""Yeah,"I say. "Sorry.""I got worried."I groan.He smiles."Will told me you got a ride.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/theladygraceling/1358326/ Matt walks me to the door,even though I protest,because he wants to make sureI'm as all right as I say.Mom opens the doorbefore we even reach it.She has her keysand her purselike she's going out.She stops when she sees me.Her forehead creasesand she clicks her tonguethe way she always doeswhen she's.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/theladygraceling/1356225/ When he pulls into the drivewayI don't get out of the car.I'm not shaking anymoreand the lump that wasstuck in my throatis now gone.It's strangehow two wordsmade me feel so much betterthan three weeks of comforting have."Can you do something for me?"I say to Matt.He nods."Of course.Anything,"he says.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/theladygraceling/1356223/ I'm shaking,and there are goosebumps all down my arms.I wrap my arms around myself."Why is it so COLD?"I whisper.He hears meand turns on the heateven though it's summerand it's extremely hot outsideand after a few minutes,he starts to sweat.I don't talk againbecause it feels likeI'll burst into.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/theladygraceling/1355400/ "Riley!"I tear my hands off the wheeland hold them close to my chest.I'm hyperventilating nowand I can feel my heartracing,beating,pumpingin my chest.My head is spinningand it feels like I'mf a l l i n g.Matt's standing next to me.I almost fall right out of the carbut he catches meand.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/theladygraceling/1355399/ I run outside.I have to walk around the block three timesbefore I find Will's truck.He'll be mad when he finds outthat I left him thereand stole his truck.But he'll forgive me.I just have to get out of here.I get the spare keyhe keeps under the bumper.I fling open the driver's doorand jump into.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/theladygraceling/1355396/ I get more nervousand I start shakingas I get closer and closerto the front of the line.Will gently nudges me forwardand makes sure I keep moving.He had gotten meas close to the front as he couldso that I can get it over with.But I would rather just not do itat all.There are only two peoplebetween m.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/theladygraceling/1354641/ When the service endsI feel nothingbut r e l i e f.For three weeks I had been dreading the funeral.I couldn't even imaginewatching her getting buried.It hurt every part of my bodywhen they did.But now that it's over.I just want to go home.But now people are forming a line,where her family is standin.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/theladygraceling/1354635/ The funeral feels endless.It goes onand onand onand on.It's almost unbearable.If Will wasn't here,squeezing my hand,telling me over and over again"It's almost done.It's almost done."I might have given upand just run awayin my uncomfortable black dressand uncomfortable black shoes.Instead I stay wher.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/theladygraceling/1354630/ I run upstairsto find the door.I have to shove through crowds of peopleand I can hear Matt coming after me,but I don't stop.I have to get out of hereas soon as possible.I knew I wouldn't be able to handle it.I shouldn't have cometo the party wherealmost everyone reminds meof what happened.I shouldn'.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/theladygraceling/1354620/ Brandon laughs again."We never got to finish our conversation,"he says."I thought I'd never see you again."He smiles at me.His face is so cluelessas he says,"How'd things gowith that girl?The one with the red lips."I know immediately who he's talking about.After a second,Matt does too.He tells Brand.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/theladygraceling/1354619/ I met himonly a little while agoat a party.We had talked, flirted, and danced.Then we found a jar of maraschino cherriesin a mini-fridge in the house's garage.I remember sitting therewhile I amazed himby tying a cherry steminto a knot in my mouth,because for some reasonguys think that's so sexy.Then.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/theladygraceling/1354618/ I stay with Willbecause he keeps me distracted.But then I lose himto a few guys on the baseball team.I don't mind muchsince he's only here because I asked him to be.I leave though after a few minutesbecause I see Jesse across the room.I go downstairsto the basementwhere people are watching TV,playin.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/theladygraceling/1354615/ It takes ten minutesto find parkingclose to Miles's house.It doesn't surpriseme or Willthat half the teenagers in townare here.There isn't one personin the whole schoolthat hasn't beento one of Miles's parties.It's a unanimous votethat he throwsthe best parties.That's because he has a huge house,a p.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/theladygraceling/1354614/ Will is standing next to me.He's not crying either.But he's a boyso it's not as bad.He won't stop pullingon the cuffs of his suit jacket.I know he wants to take it offbut can'tbecause it would be rude.He stares straight ahead.I can't tell what he's looking at.His face is expressionlessand he's stand.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/theladygraceling/1354611/ It's too hot outside for a funeral.People are sweating,and tugging on their collars,and fanning themselves with their hands.I don't know who would plan a funeralduring a summer heat wave.Everyone looks uncomfortable.But not because it's a funeral and they're sad.Because it's too hot.There's too much.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/theladygraceling/1354380/ Another version of my story with a few tweaks. A longer, more complete version is also on my profile. This is just a test story. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/theladygraceling/1354376/ I lay out my clotheson the bedfor me to see.It's hard for me to choosewhat to wearbecause Charlottewas always there to help.I hear herin the back of my mindas I sort through my clothes."You've worn that before.""That skirt's too long.""It's too warm for that."I hold up two dressesthat I knowshe woul.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/theladygraceling/1354375/ There's a voicemailfrom Willwhen I check my phone.He's confusedabout the messageI left yesterday."I got your message,"he says."I'm confused.Call me."I delete the voicemailand turn off my phonewithout calling him backbecause I can't face him.I see another voicemail alert,right before the screen .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/theladygraceling/1354374/ Jesse HIlton is waiting for meby the cash registerswhere I usually work.I've known Jessefor three years now.Not many people like him.It's not because he's weirdor unattractive.He's over six feet talland has got sandy hairand wire rimmed glassesand is actually very good lookingand normal.But he's rud.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/theladygraceling/1353895/ Johnny drives me the next morningto work.I work at a toy store.My boss sucksand there are alwayssnot nosed, little kids everywhere.But I get to play withall the Nerf guns.And I get discounts on presentsfor my little cousins.And Charlotte used to work right across the street.I haven't been there.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/theladygraceling/1353894/ I sit upg  a  s  p  i  n  gfor breath.I look around, frightenedbecause it feels like I'm there,back in the car,screaming Charlotte's name.But I'm in my room,sitting on my bed,on top of purple sheets and stuffed animals.Not in a car,sitting on cold upholstery with a.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/theladygraceling/1353143/ It's dark.I can hear musicbut I don't knowhow the speakers even work anymore.The car has flipped overso many times.I want to turn it offbecause the soundmakes my head hurt.So I reach outfor the radio.But then I feel nothing but PAINin my armand I throw up.It lands on the windowbecause the car is on .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/theladygraceling/1353142/ I call Willbut he doesn't answer.I feel relievedmore than anything else.I get sent to voicemail.I hear the beepbut I don't speakfor several seconds.I have to pinch myselfto get my voiceto start working."I'm sorry,"I blurt outright beforethe message gets cut off.He'll know it was methat called.He'll .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/theladygraceling/1353138/ I just stared at himand watched him cry.I didn't know what to do,or what to think,or what to say.What do you dowhen you find out your best friendjust died?What do you thinkwhen you were the oneto survive the accident?What do you saywhen you knowyou were the one driving? http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/theladygraceling/1352233/ He came to see methe second he was allowed.He walked inlookingtiredand scared.He brought meflowers.He got mechocolate.He game mea hug.He told methe news.I didn't believe him.I didn't want to.In my mind,it wasn't possiblefor Charlotteto be dead.I started yelling at him.I tried telling himhe was .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/theladygraceling/1352231/ I woke upin the hospitalfour hours after the accident.I didn't knowwhere I was.I didn't rememberwhat had happened.The nursesin my roomtold mewhat happened.They saidI was in an accident.They told meI wasn't the only onein the car.They tried to explainwhat happenedto Charlotte.But it didn't compr.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/theladygraceling/1352228/ People forgetand people never realizethat Charlotte and Will were a couple.No one believed mewhenever I said they were.The two of them in lovein between all the fighting,and the rude comments,and the insults.It's a hard thing to picture.But it was truedespite it all.They didn't like each other .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/theladygraceling/1352225/ Miles comes inand says hi,just to be polite,but he sounds sincereinstead of sarcastic and teasinglike usual.It's not hardto figure out why.I leave quickly,before it gets awkward,and go upstairsto my room.Bitsy follows meand makes herself at homeon my pillow.I lie down next to herand stare at the cei.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/theladygraceling/1352057/ Johnny comes inten minutes laterand sits down with meon the couch.He tells me Milesis across the street,grabbing a coffee,and he's comingin a few minutes.Normally,that's my cue to leave.But Johnny asks me to wait.Then he looks at me,a little worried,and asks where Will is.I tell him that he left,but.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/theladygraceling/1352055/ It's impossible forme and Willto stay madat each otherfor very long.I still feel badfor what I said.He still feels badfor what he said too.I feel even worse thoughbecause he didn't even do anything wrong.He was just trying to help.But that's the problem.We watch TV in silenceuntil his phone ringsand.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/theladygraceling/1352052/ "And what is thatsupposed to mean?"His words echothrough my mind,but they float right through me,like no matter how many timesI repeat what he just said,I can't comprehend it.His faceturns dark red.I know he wants to take it back."Riley..."is all he can say.Hearing himmakes my heart seize up,ma.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/theladygraceling/1351377/ Will looks through the fridgelike usual.Then he gets upsetbecause there's no food.I remind him thathe ate it all yesterday.I ask him about the partysince I promised Johnny I'd go.Parties are not thingsI like to face alone.Will groans.I know he doesn't want to.Neither of us like parties.Charlotte was.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/theladygraceling/1351375/