Missing Grace(7)

Guess they know each other.

"Dr. Barnes."

"Your date seems to think he knows my fiancée. Congratulations on the win tonight, by the way."

"Congratulations are in order for you as well, Hunter."

As Grace peered around her fiancé, Rebecca introduced herself. "I'm Rebecca Bauer. Congratulations on the engagement. So you know Benjamin?"

The woman nodded, and said, "No, I don't think we've been introduced. I'm Jane Parker."

The breath rushed from Ben's chest as if he'd been punched in the gut. Her words made his chest ache. His tunnel vision expanded. The real world hastened back in full sound and motion, almost deafening him.

Rebecca's hand slid down his arm and into his hand, her fingers entwining with his. She squeezed lightly in encouragement, and said, "Well then, let me do the honors. This is Benjamin Edwards . . ."

Ben stared at Grace as Rebecca made the rounds introducing herself and him, her voice trailing off as his own thoughts took over.

Jane Parker.

Jane Parker.

Jane Parker.

Grace Stevens.

Grace Stevens.

Grace Elizabeth Stevens.

Not Jane Parker.

"You don't recognize me, do you?" Ben didn't care if he sounded crazy. This whole exchange was crazy.

"No," she replied softly, appearing embarrassed. "I'm sorry, I don't."

Sadness colored her hazel eyes, a look Ben hadn't often seen in her expression, but it made him believe it was her all the more. He glanced at her doctor-date who had tightened his hold on her arm, keeping her at a safe distance from Ben.

When Ben looked back to Grace, Jane, he thought he saw a hint of hope as she looked at him, but he was so unsure of himself by this point that he dismissed it.

With narrowed eyes still set on Grace, doubt seeped in. Was he hallucinating? Was he seeing what he wanted to see, like days before on the street? He blinked several times, knowing he was close to being admitted into an asylum if he wasn't careful.

Grace was a hot topic with Rebecca. Suddenly remembering where he was, he bowed his head in defeat, apologizing for interrupting their celebration.

Hunter lightened up and finally released her from his side, but had to get in his jab, "Might want to stick to water the rest of the night."

Rebecca looked mortified. Grace gave a slight smile before Rebecca pulled Ben away, and they returned to the table.

Rebecca leaned in, gritting between her teeth, "What was that all about? God, I could feel how awkward that was from across the room."

He shrugged, unable to honestly answer her question through the confusion of his thoughts. She should put some distance between them while he worked through his crazed mind. Rebecca should take advantage of this opportunity. He didn't want to cause her any more embarrassment. "You should mingle. I'm going to sit here a minute."

Hint taken, Rebecca left him alone. While she mingled, he remained at the table. Watching Grace, Jane, from a safe distance, he drank three vodka martinis in a row. He caught her eyes on him more than a few times, curiosity thick in her gaze. Every time their eyes met, it was another confirmation that she was his Grace and not that doctor's Jane. But how?

The kaleidoscope of greens and gold that make up her eyes.

The straight slope of her nose.

The strands of hair that graduated from honey brown to deep auburn.

When she finally left the doctor's side, Ben jumped at the opportunity to speak to her again. This time he was hoping in private. He worked his way through the back of the ballroom so he didn't draw attention to himself, especially from Hunter or Rebecca. As soon as he exited the room, he ran to the bathrooms and waited for her to come out.



       
         
       
        

It was a new low, but he didn't care. He needed to see her again, to see if she was real or another hallucination. The door opened and Ben stood straight only to be let down. He smiled kindly to the elderly lady and leaned against the wall. The door opened and this time his heart skipped a beat. She was real. Standing before him, she was real-her hazel eyes and hair he used to tuck his nose into when falling asleep holding her. The ghost of Grace wasn't a ghost this time. She was real. Grace in the flesh.

She startled when she saw him, her fingers tightening on her bag. Her eyes lowered from his and she started to leave.

"Please give me ten minutes of your time. I promise we know each other. I don't know why you don't remember me, but I can never forget you. Please, Grace."

"Grace?" She tilted her head and bit that cheek again in contemplation as if trying on the name to see how it felt. If she only knew how that tortured him, she might not do such things.