Read Grayson (This is Our Life Book 1) for Free Online Page A

been tired lately, son," she commented as she hugged me and followed him to bed. Huh? Weird.  But, I'm not allowing him into my psyche to play mental games.  His change will have to be more than that for me to forgive or forget a lifetime of hurt.
    As puzzling as my father's actions have been over the last few months, they’ve also allowed me freedom from the ranch.  I've spent as much time as I can with Ella.  Since we are only friends, we normally hang out with our group of friends.  Just friends.  It works for now, but I’m preparing her for more.  She’s not ready to accept it yet.  One day she’ll be all mine.
     
     

 
     
    It’s Valentine's Day and I found Ella a bluebird charm.  We are at the bowling alley when I give it to her.  She just finished her turn and sits back down. 
    “Hold out your hands, Ella. Close your eyes, and you will get a big surprise!”   I laugh at her beautiful face and scrunched-up nose, so damn cute.  She’s hesitant at first, eyeing me skeptically. 
    “What are you up to, Mr. Blackwood?”
    She closes her eyes and follows my instructions.   She opens her eyes and her gaze lands on the palm of her hand, where a dainty bluebird charm lies.  Shock registers on her face and then glee. 
    She continually asks me why I call her Bluebird, and my reply is always the same, "You're my Bluebird, Ella," shrugging my shoulders like it’s no big deal.  I think she likes her special name.  One day, I'll explain it to her, but we aren't there...yet. 
     
    Why Bluebird?  I fondly remember a time when I was around ten years old.  Mom’s really crafty being the teacher that she is.  We decided to make bluebird boxes for all the ones we had on the ranch. 
    “Come on, Grayson.  It’ll be loads of fun.  Addie can even help us.”  Mom giggled as we made our way outside to the barn.  Moments like these I’ll cherish forever, they’re my memories that no one can take away.
    It was a hot summer day on our ranch.  We set out constructing, cutting boards, hammering nails, and then painting our initials on the front of each box.  Mom sang “Whistle while you work…” from Snow White, and Addie jumbled some of the words as she tried to sing along, shaking her three-year-old baby bootie back and forth. It was a perfect day.
    Later on in the evening after we all showered and got ready for dinner, Mom came looking for me.  I’m in my room, staring out the window at one of our newly built bluebird boxes.  The delicate box is perched right outside my window, waiting for visitors.  We put this one in this spot, so I could see it every day.
    “Grayson, it’s time for dinner, son.”  Mom leaned against the door, watching me.  “What are you up to?”
    “Watching the box,”  I tell her.   “I can’t wait for the birds to come.”
    Mom moved over to where I was sitting on the floor and sat down beside me.  “Oh, I see.  Well, let me tell you a little story then.
    “Once upon a time there was a little boy bluebird, who loved his family very much.  The little bluebird wasn’t old enough to have his own family yet, so his family protected him, even when he didn’t know it.  One day, a new little bluebird came to town, fluttering around their nest.  She too had a family, and the little boy bluebird was very interested in her.  The two little bluebirds became instant friends.  Going on adventures, playing together, and having fun.  They even learned how to fly further away from their nests...together.  One day, a strong storm came through, huffing and puffing all the nests in the trees.  The little boy bluebird was tossed out of the nest and carried on the wind far away.  Thought to be lost forever.  When the storm subsided, the little boy bluebird saw his friend was there too.  Both being thrown away from home by the storm, they were scared, but they had each other.  As the weeks passed and their search for home continued, they learned to hunt for