Presley Ann squirmed for a few more moments and finally gestured to the gift. “You can open it.”
Grace lifted the tissue from the bag and found the small box and opened it.
“I didn’t know if you were having a boy or a girl. All I’d heard was that you and the baby were okay, so I thought that was a safe bet.”
Grace smiled as she fingered the little silver baby bootie charm. “It’s perfect. I have a charm bracelet I can have it added to. Thank you. I love it.” She reached out and took Presley Ann’s cool, slim hand and squeezed it encouragingly. “Normally, I’d hug you for such a thoughtful gift but—” She pointed at the brace they’d strapped her into that morning after her shower. “This makes that kind of hard.”
She waited again as she lifted the charm from the box and admired it.
Her patience paid off finally, when Presley Ann cleared her throat and opened her mouth to speak, hesitated, and then finally said, “I have a lot to make up for. To a lot of people.” She ran her fingers through her straight blonde hair. “I’ve been a miserable human being for…a long time. I know you’re probably wondering why I’m telling you this, and right now I’m frankly wondering the same thing. You must think I’m nuts and slightly inappropriate for bringing you a baby gift when you and I don’t really know each other that well.”
Keeping quiet, Grace smiled, and nodded, not in agreement but in encouragement for her to continue.
“You have always been very sweet to me, even back when I was being an idiot.” She shook her head and her pale cheeks were momentarily suffused with redness. “I’ve offended several of your friends in the past few years and…I’m sorry.”
“Have you told them that?”
“Not yet. I just…I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have come,” she said, suddenly rising from her chair.
Grace held out a hand and Presley Ann halted from moving to the door and Grace gently asked, “Why don’t you tell me what’s going on with you?”
Presley Ann bit her lip and looked Grace in the eye then shifted her gaze to the mirror across the room before returning to the seat. Being a people watcher, Grace noticed it when she moved the chair closer, presumably so she could no longer see her reflection in the mirror.
“I heard from several people that you’re a really thoughtful, caring person. That you have a good heart. I could see that for myself. Like I said before, I have a lot to make up for.”
“What do you mean when you say that?”
“Well, this baby is coming sometime in November. My life is in shambles and I have no one else to blame but myself. I’m living with my sister but I know that can’t continue. I need to get ready for the baby, but I have no idea how to do that. There are people I’ve hurt that I feel I need to make it up to. And I feel like all the sowing I’ve been doing for years is now bringing in a harvest and I don’t know where to turn.”
The tears were flowing down Presley Ann’s cheeks and Grace understood what she needed. One safe harbor where she wouldn’t be judged. She wished like crazy that she could hug Presley Ann because the young woman obviously needed it right then.
She took Presley Ann’s hand. “Have you told Leah that you’re pregnant?”
“I was going to tell her last night at supper, at the store. We live together but I never see her because she practically lives and breathes that store. I was going to tell her that I was moving out and getting a place of my own, if I can find one that I can afford. Thank you, by the way, for what you did yesterday. My commissions from those sales will go a long way toward saving a security deposit for an apartment.”
“You’re very welcome. I’ll be sending others in to shop with you as well.”
More tears slipped down her cheeks. “You can’t imagine how much I appreciate that, Grace. I hope they do but I know it’s a long shot since for so long I wasn’t very good at making people feel welcome in the store. I know that. I thought only of my own convenience and comfort, and didn’t think about what I was doing. But I’ve turned over a new leaf, even Leah said she noticed the other day. It’s not about me anymore.” She looked down at her still perfectly flat abdomen and crossed her forearms over herself in a decidedly protective gesture.
“Have you told the father?”
Presley Ann pressed trembling lips together and shook her head. “I met this really sweet guy. He was so handsome and charming, I was mesmerized. He was just passing through town and I thought it would be sexy if we just didn’t exchange names. Two ships passing in the night, you know? I was on the pill but I guess my bad habit of forgetting to take them and then doubling up when I remember finally caught up with me. Stupid I know. I don’t…don’t even know my baby’s father’s name.” She was quiet for a long time and then said, “My father is going to hate me.”