Going Solo: Grace Gen 4.5

Later that day, while I was out in the yard with Vor, my phone buzzed.

Just checking to make sure you got home okay.

I frowned at the message. He'd sat there with me, in his car until Grams arrived. I'd first called Dad, but he was out of town, and Mom was at at doctor's appointment with Erin. Once Grams arrived, Jonas left, but only after I assured him a tow was on the way for the truck. What was his deal anyway? My grandmother was there, plus other people had started arriving. On the way home, Grams made some passing comment about him seeming like a nice young man. I think she was getting senile in her old age, but I just smiled and made no comment.

Yes. I got home fine.

I stuffed my phone back in my pocket only to have it buzz again moments later.

Did you find out what's wrong with your truck?

Um...something about an alternator.

Oh good. Glad it's nothing major. 

 You should be back on the road in a day or two 

Nothing major? Day or two? The mechanic guy told me it was gonna 

be a few days maybe a week and would cost me about $2500. 

That sounded pretty major to me.

What garage?

Huh?

Where is your truck?

Moe's Auto Care.

I know him. Don't worry.

I stared at the screen of my phone. Don't worry? What did that mean. I decided to just ignore that statement and put my phone back in my pocket. Half hour later, it buzzed again.

All taken care of. Your truck should be ready tomorrow 

and he's only charging you for the part, so $300.

Again I stared at my phone. I didn't understand what he wanted from me. He had to want something. I thought about calling Mom to ask her, but I knew she probably had her hands full with Carter and Erin with Dad out of town. So I called Hope instead.

Hope: Hey Gracie, how's it going?

Grace: Um...okay I guess other than my truck broke down.

Hope: I don't know why you insisted on keeping that heap anyway. Just let Dad buy you a new one.

Grace: I like my truck. Anyway I have a question for you.

Hope: Okay, shoot.

Grace: There's this guy.

Hope: A guy! Did you say a guy? Oh do tell!

I frowned at her enthusiasm.

Grace: Not like that Hope. He...he owns the local farmer's market grocery store. The organic place that opened a few years back, anyway mom made me go talk to him about selling some of my stuff there. He's always smiling at me, and today he was at the garden when my truck broke down...he offered to give me a ride...

I realized my hands had started shaking again as I told Hope the story. Once I assured her I was okay and told her how he stayed until Grams came and our recent text exchange, she started laughing at me. 

Hope: Look if he got your bill down that much and you barely talk to the guy I'd say he probably likes you.

Grace: He can't.

Hope: Can't what?

Grace: He can't like me.

Hope: Sure he can, and I think he does. At the very least text him back and say thank you. I mean he did just save you a huge chunk of money.

After catching up a bit more we ended the call. Taking her advice, I did send him a thank you text and and got a prompt you're welcome reply. After that, Jonas began texting me daily. I'd get a good morning text, a mid day how was my day going text and a good night text. It was a little unnerving at first, but I always replied politely.

After a few weeks, I got used to getting the texts and our conversations would get longer. I did avoid the gardens for a while, I didn't want to run the chance of running into him again. I had a decent variety of plants growing so I found another quiet spot to do some fishing.

The fish made great fertilizer. Two months after that fateful day, I had to return to the market with my first harvest. Because I didn't know how long it would take, I left Vor at home instead of making him wait outside. The closer I got to town, the more nervous I felt. I thought about calling Mom or Dad to meet me there, but I decided against it. They had their own lives and couldn't come hold my hand every time I needed to talk to people. Besides I'd been to this store before I even met Jonas. I knew the girl that worked the check out. I just had to see her, hopefully. When I pulled into the parking lot, I felt sick. What if he was there? I sat in my truck for ten minutes willing myself to go in and make the sale.

Twenty minutes later, I let out a sigh of relief. I got in and out without running into him and made $450 in the process. I was headed back to my car when I heard his voice behind me.

***A/N***

Grace is now a level 4 gardener. I'm trying to decide between focusing my efforts on growing the perfect plants first and then working her way up the ladder, or continuing to try and do both parts at the same time.