ressydm / Stories / A Family Deception
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This is the story of Grace and Beth. They are sisters but not. They are sisters in spirit not of blood. Grace and Beth have known each other since kindergarden and their families were neighbors. Grace and Beth went to the same schools and grew up together. Grace accepted Beth long ago as her sister. Beth said she accepted Grace as her sister. Yet Grace always felt a distance, a hesitancy on Beth's part. For instance, Beth would always go out of her way to explain how they weren't sisters just long time friends to anyone they met. They always prided themselves on not fighting on anything major.

This is the story of Grace and Beth. They are sisters but not. They are sisters in spirit not of blood. Grace and Beth have known each other since kindergarden and their families were neighbors. Grace and Beth went to the same schools and grew up together. Grace accepted Beth long ago as her sister. Beth said she accepted Grace as her sister. Yet Grace always felt a distance, a hesitancy on Beth's part. For instance, Beth would always go out of her way to explain how they weren't sisters just long time friends to anyone they met. They always prided themselves on not fighting on anything major. "I'm inviting some people over from the neighborhood," said Grace casually as they rested on a quiet night after a week of unpacking everything. "I was looking forward to a quiet night, Grace but what the hey, it should be fun." said Beth. Beth strolled into the kitchen and decided to cook something. Unfortunately it burned. As usual. Beth silently gagged on her burnt food. She knew Grace, a-la Miss Betty Crocker, would whip up something fabulous for the gathering. While she did kind of admire Grace's love of cooking and entertaining, it also annoyed the heck out of her. She would feel...inadequate. It was still early so Grace quietly made herself a sandwich to energize her for the work ahead. She said nothing about the blackened thing sitting in Beth's plate. The guests soon arrived and Grace hurried to meet them. After introductions were made all around, Grace quickly whipped up some healthy sandwiches and called everyone to eat. "Have you checked out the nightlife here, Grace?" asked Henry, who was obviously much in love with his green skinned lady Narah. "No, not yet," answered Grace. "Have you checked out what's on television? Do you love reality shows? God, I can't get enough of Big Brother and I Love New York, The Hills, Laguna Beach, OMG, I just can't get enough! It's all so...tawdry!" blurted Beth. Everyone just stared at Beth as she nervously babbled. "I have to say, the reality shows are really really addictive. They're my vice," Beth laughed, "I don't really watch old Hollywood movies, but I guess they're OK. Do you read romance books? Titania, you remind me of of one of those heroines from those romance books. Gosh, I love romance books." Grace smiled at Beth and loved her geeky ways as only a sister can. Beth had complained to her how she hated being "stuck at home all day" with the kids and how she craved adult conversation. To be polite, Titania softly spoke of how she might consider in the future to watch these shows. She also brought up her love of watching old Hollywood movies. "So...you two are sisters?" asked Henry. "Yes," said Grace, as she got up to wash and put away dishes. "Not really," said Beth, "We just grew up in the same 'hood together. We come from different families. We just went to the same school together." Grace inwardly winced. As Henry and his girlfriend retired to the living room, he quickly leaned close to Grace and said, "I'm sorry, but your friend Beth sure can talk one's ear off!" Grace went to rest for a second at the dining room table. Beth put away the rest of the washed plates then turned and looked at Grace. Grace looked so pretty, so serene, so...perfect. Beth would have to go to her own home and deal with her husband and two kids. She knew her own place would be a wreck and dinner would not be on the table without a mess created in the kitchen first. Yet her sister Grace had on a nice clean dress and was sitting in a new home all of her own with a clean kitchen and guests in the house that were well-behaved. There were times Beth wished she could trade places with Grace and she would get angry about that. Grace went straight to bed that first night. Beth had gone to her room after staying on the phone for over two hours talking to her "best friend" Mark. Grace recalled how months ago she had asked Beth for Mark's phone number to invite him as her date for a friend's wedding and how Beth had claimed she didn't know his number! How lame! Grace thought. But again, she let that slide. Now she wondered why. Why wasn't she talking to her husband Tony? thought Grace. In the morning, Grace made breakfast. She had found Beth IM'ing her "friend" Mark. Grace ignored Beth's guilty look. Didn't she just talk to the guy last night for two hours? thought Grace. Grace made like she didn't notice. She knew Beth's friendship to Mark had been discussed and argued in Beth's marriage. Tony may have his faults but he was a good father and took his responsibilities to his wife and family seriously. She called Beth to breakfast. "Ah...I slept so well last night! It's such a nice break to get some peace and quiet in a clean home! It's almost like I'm single again." Beth said jokingly. Beth was beaming. Grace smiled, and continued to eat her breakfast. "I'm glad you slept well." was all she said. "You didn't mind my using your computer?" Beth asked. "No, why should I?" asked Grace. Maybe this would open up the conversation about Mark, Grace thought. "I was thinking of inviting Mark to my housewarming party. You think he'll come?" asked Grace after a pause. "I...don't see why not. But you know he's so busy with his business." said Beth between mouthfuls. "I'm sure he'll find the time to come." said Grace. Grace thought of how Beth and Mark had been on the phone for two hours gossiping about stupid reality shows. Grace pulled a seat next to Beth. "I love parties! And best of all, planning them! I have to figure out a menu." said Grace. Beth's energy seemed to drop. She knew that Grace could throw a good party and was a great hostess. She thought about Mark and Grace inviting him. She thought of Grace coming on to Mark, HER Mark. She thought of Mark and Grace getting closer, and kissing. Beth simmered inwardly. The rest of breakfast went on in silence. Grace picked up and cleaned the dishes and quickly staightened the kitchen, humming a cute song to herself. Beth seethed in the living room, growing panicky at the thought of Grace inviting Mark over to her new home. "Look, maybe it's not a good idea to invite Mark. Mark is not into housewarming parties. You know he barely shows up at my house as it is for his own brother (Tony). You know he's a bit of a flake." explained Beth, trying to keep her voice light but still make a point. Grace smiled inwardly. She knew Beth would not be able to keep her mouth shut about her inviting Mark over. But Beth was married to Mark's brother and not Mark. Grace and Mark were both single and could do what they want. "Beth, Mark has been a part of our lives for years and is your brother in law. So what's the big deal? He's not some stranger." reasoned Grace. "You better not invite him. Don't do it." said Beth, her voice dropping to a threatening tone. She wagged a finger in Grace's face. Grace was surprised. "You can't possibly be telling me what to do and who to invite in MY own home, Beth." Grace felt her blood pressure starting to rise. "You don't know. You don't understand," said Beth, her voice cracking. "Why don't you tell me what's going on?" asked Grace. "What is it about Mark?" asked Grace, "You can tell me." Beth stood there, looking at her, looking distressed. "Is he some form of evil?" asked Grace. "If you only knew..." blurted Beth. But try as Grace might, Beth would not relinquish what she "knew" about Mark. In actuality, Beth secretly wanted Grace to think the worst. She wanted Grace and Mark to forget about viewing the other romantically. "I've tried to be reasonable with you. I've even tried to figure you out. You won't tell me what is up with Mark. Maybe it has to do with you, I don't know. But you're playing mind games by not telling me and I don't like it." declared Grace. Beth just glowered at Grace. "Let it go, Grace." was all Beth would finally say. Beth was acting like a jealous girlfriend, certainly not a protective sister. Grace had had enough. "What is Mark to you? Why are you so protective of him? Are you in love with Mark? Are you carrying on something with him?" pushed Grace. Beth answered with a resounding slap across Grace's face. "Don't you EVER talk about that. Just leave Mark alone." said Beth. Grace heard Beth practically growl. Grace realized, Beth didn't exactly deny anything. Beth growled, "If you do not back off, I will not allow you near my kids or home ever again. Do you hear me now?" Grace sobbed and realized she didn't really know Beth. And Beth would do whatever it took to protect whatever 'friendship' she had with Mark. Even if it meant sacrficing Grace. Beth envied Grace and knew Mark and Grace were meant for each other. Even Tony, Beth's husband, had already mentioned to her how good of a match Mark and Grace would be. But Beth was determined to stop that happiness from happening because she didn't have any of her own. Grace turned around and gave Beth the good old fashioned beatdown that only a sister can give a sister. If a man was going to come between them, Grace reasoned, she would no longer have to put up being disrespected for it. Grace put her hands on her hips after dusting off her dress. She addressed Beth: "I already told you I'm not into mindgames and I will not be played anymore." Beth looked dazedly at Grace. "He's MINE, Grace." whispered Beth to herself. How dare Grace take away the one person that made her mundane life more interesting? Beth angrily looked at Grace, "I will never let my kids see you again!" "What do the kids have to do with it?" asked Grace angrily. "This is between you and me, Beth. You are out to punish everybody and for WHAT? Seriously, WHAT are you getting out of using the kids to emotionally blackmail me? If anything, you're only proving to me that you're hiding something." Beth said nothing. "They're my kids, I'll do what I want." Beth said and got up, "And Tony will back me on this." "He'd have no choice, seeing he's married to you. And Tony has nothing to do with this either. This is between you and me but you are being a coward. When you're ready to come clean, I'm an email or phone call away." Grace turned on her heel and went upstairs, tired and done. Grace went upstairs to shower and change and give Beth time to call a cab and gather her things. When Grace heard the front door to the house close and the cab take off with Beth in it, it was only then that Grace allowed herself to cry in the shower. She thought of her niece and nephew. Shaking with anger, disappointment and sadness, Grace had to come to terms on what she had constantly overlooked -- that Beth was not her friend, let alone her sister. Grace wondered if the kids would ever forgive her for not being in their lives anymore. What story would Beth tell Tony and the kids? Would Mark contact her or figure to stay out of the whole thing by staying away? Grace took a seat in her living room. The house was so quiet. The house was her house. It was all hers. When she checked her email, she found a single note with two lines: "Don't contact us until you come with an apology. Whatever is going on with you and my wife, needs to be squashed - we won't chase you, so you come when you are ready." It was signed by Tony. Grace didn't have the heart to tell Tony anything about what had happened. She didn't want to bring her suspicions in and inadvertently hurt a marriage over it. She closed the email and didn't bother replying. There was nothing more to say. What COULD she say? Nothing.

A Family Deception

Sep 18, 2008 by ressydm
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    7 Comment(s) posted so far

    On Sep 19, 2008 ressydm wrote:

    Okay, a new story! I tried to fidget with the visual quality and sharpen it -- but I think I still need help to figure out what I'm doing wrong. What buttons should I be pressing besides upping the camera shot quality to high and sim/object detail to high?

    One more thing, my system crashed and I lost the black and red dress that Grace wore in the story. Can someone advise me where I can re-download the dress?

    Thanks to all for your comments and helpful pointers.

    On Sep 19, 2008 muggelx1 wrote:

    very good story\:rah\:

    On Sep 20, 2008 blackbutterflys wrote:

    rah

    On Sep 21, 2008 skyblue7377 wrote:

    Fantastic story!! Just loven it

    On Sep 21, 2008 wrote:

    I enjoyed it thank you \:D \:D \:D

    On Sep 21, 2008 wrote:

    forgot to rate\:D \:D 5.0

    On Sep 22, 2008 ressydm wrote:

    Thank you everybody for your comments and for checking out my story!

    I'm still looking for the black and red dress seen above. I lost it during a crash on my computer and so far haven't found it in my archived downloads....can someone help?

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