47 Destinies: Finding Grace by Marlies Schmudlach Perez Page A

reaction to the wedding,” Robert said with a little spunk.
    “That’s not true, Robert.  You know how much I love Brent,” Leslie said, purposefully not mentioning Cora.
    “Yes Darling.  Come on, let’s go inside and find a seat.  Grace, would you like to sit at our table?  I would love the company,” Robert offered as he hooked his arm into Grace’s.  The man was such a charmer; nobody could refuse him.
    “I would be delighted,” Grace said, now happy that she came.
    The event was held in the Terrace Room.  When Grace walked in, she couldn’t help but grin.  The setting was simply a perfect place to celebrate Cora and Brent’s pending nuptials.  Floor-to-ceiling windows encompassed two sides of the room.  The walls opposite the windows held seven large mirrors which reflected back the churning ocean below. 
    It was about 6:00pm, so the sun had yet to set.  Grace couldn’t wait to view the sunset when it streamed through the windows and bounced off the mirrors. 
    Cora rushed up to Grace, “What do you think of this place?”
    Grace smiled widened, “It is incredible!  Samantha is ingenious.”
    “I can’t stop smiling!  Brent even seems pleased,” Cora said as she winked at Grace.  “How is Leslie doing?  I heard she is very ill.”
    Grace pondered what to say and finally settled on, “She is a little under the weather, but has a very strong spirit.”
    Cora, a little baffled by Grace’s description, left it alone.  She wasn’t going to allow Leslie’s flair for drama taint her evening. 
    “I completely understand if she needs to leave early,” Cora said, unaware that Leslie was right behind her.
    “Cora, thank you.  At least someone understands the importance of my health.  Grace, can you let Robert know that I will catch a cab and see him at home?” Leslie said, whisking herself out of the room.
    “Wow,” Cora said, “I think that is the nicest thing she has ever said to me.  Then again, she almost flew out of here.  She couldn’t wait for the moment to make her escape,” Cora remarked as she walked over to greet another arriving guest.
    Grace was not that surprised and also not looking forward to relaying Leslie’s message to Robert.  In order to get the unpleasantness out of the way, she went immediately to speak to Robert.
    “Robert, Leslie wanted me to let you that she left, took a taxi, and will meet you at home,” Grace said quickly before she added, “I am going to go take a look outside on the terrace.”
    Grace left before she could gauge Robert’s response.  She had a feeling that he was not going to take it well.  Grace stepped outside.  The terrace was empty except for one couple off in the back corner.  Grace put her hands on the rail and stared out at the ocean.  Mounds of black rocks jetted above the water line causing the waves to splash bright white foam upon them.  Batches of seagulls settled on the rocks awaiting their next flight to find more fish.
    “Are you hiding from someone again?” Todd asked as he joined Grace at the rail. “Last time I saw you, you were practically running out of the fashion show.”
    “You saw that?” Grace said, embarrassed to remember that night.
    “It was a hard to miss a tall blond woman storming out of the room,” Todd answered. Not wanting to hurt Grace’s feelings, he added, “Of course, your date might have had something to do with it.”
    “He was terrible.  I don’t think I have ever met such a critical person.  No wonder he needs a dating service,” Grace said, trying not to be too hard on the guy. “Then again, I signed up for the same service.  What does that say about me?”
    “Well, I was a little perplexed to see you on a date after the conversation we had at Samantha’s party.  Did you bend under the pressure?” Todd said, more as a joke.
    “I guess I did.  Feelings of sadness were becoming a daily routine for me at the time.  I thought if I met new people that I might be