Brides of War by June Tate Read Free Book Online Page B

blustered.
    ‘A skivvy is a term for a person who is given all the worst jobs without any respect being paid to them and you arejealous that your beloved son has another woman in his life that he cares for. You are no longer his first choice. Well get used to it!’
    The other woman looked furious. ‘How dare you talk to me like that, you are in my house and you should be more respectful!’
    Gracie calmed down. ‘Look Mrs Rider, we both love Jeff and I wish we could be friends and get along. God knows, it’s difficult enough you having to put us up and us having no place of our own, but for heaven’s sake, do we have to continue resenting each other?’ But she saw by Velda’s expression that she was wasting her time. She turned and walked out of the house.
    Gracie walked into town and searched out the realty office, as estate agents were called in the States, and entered.
    The girl behind the desk smiled at her. ‘Good morning, what can I do for you?’
    ‘I’m looking for an apartment to rent,’ she declared. ‘Do you have any on your books?’
     
    That evening, when he returned home, Jeff was surprised to see his suitcase and one of Gracie’s in the hallway. He walked into the kitchen and saw his mother at the sink.
    ‘What’s going on?’ he asked.
    With a face like thunder she looked at him. ‘Best ask that wife of yours. She’s upstairs.’
    He took the stairs two at a time and rushed into their bedroom where Gracie was packing another suitcase.
    ‘What the hell is going on?’ he asked.
    ‘We’re moving out.’
    ‘Out? Out where?’
    ‘I’ve rented a small apartment nearer the town,’ she told him.
    ‘You what?’ he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
    Gracie stopped her packing. ‘Look darling, we are in the way here. Your mother resents me and we’ll never get along, so we are leaving.’ She saw the anger in his eyes. ‘Well at least, I am moving. You have a choice, Jeff. You come with me or stay with your mother! It’s entirely up to you.’ She sat on the edge of the bed and waited for his reply.
    ‘You should have discussed this with me first, Gracie and how did you manage the down payment?’
    ‘With some savings I have.’ She stared at him. ‘Look, Jeff, if we are to have a life together, we have to start on our own. The rent isn’t high. The apartment could do with a lick of paint, well I can do that when you’re working, besides I’m a good manager with money, trust me.’
    ‘It seems the decision has been made for me and I really don’t like it, but in future, Gracie, we talk these things over. Understand?’
    She rose from the bed and put her arms around his neck.
    ‘Absolutely.’ Then she slyly added, ‘Just imagine, without your parents on the other side of the wall, how our sex life will improve!’
    Shaking his head, he laughed. ‘You are a minx, Gracie Rider.’
    She didn’t answer but just grinned broadly at him. ‘Can we take your father’s car to move our stuff?’
    ‘I guess so. Do we have a bed to sleep on at this place?’
    ‘We certainly do, it’s furnished. Not anything special but it’s clean and comfortable. With a few bits and pieces, we’ll soon have it cosy.’
    ‘Well, I’d better go down and tell Ma what’s happening.’
    ‘You do that and take these cases with you. I’ll strip the bed and join you downstairs.’
    She breathed a sigh of relief as he left the room. Well that old bitch can scrub her own floors now, she thought as she removed the top sheet.
    As she walked down the stairs a little later, Gracie could hear raised voices in the kitchen: that didn’t surprise her. Velda wanted her gone but not her precious son. Well now she’d lost and wasn’t at all happy.
    Gracie had started moving the bags outside when Jeff walked out looking flushed and angry. He picked up the remaining cases and took them to the car, packing them in the trunk.
    ‘Is that everything?’ he asked sharply.
    ‘Yes, so let’s go,’ Gracie