Gentle Breath of Heaven

Chapter one.

The cold winds beat at the face of Francis Bernard Viciously. Stepping out her mazda she frowned at the walk ahead. The day could not get any worse. Not only had she been demoted, but it was a demotion to assistant. Working as a journalist for five years at one of the top Fashion magazines, this had been a stab to Francis's pride. At this moment she was debating on whether or not she should just quit. The icing on the cake was the terrible parking space she had to fight for. She made a mental note to start saving for a new place. Her nicely priced one room condo wasn't worth the stress it had been giving her.

Had to fill out my prescription 

Found the remedy 

I had to set you free. 

Away from me 

To see clearly 

The way that love can be when you are not with me 

I had to leave 

I had to live 

I had to lead 

I had to live....... 

Kendra's Favorite song played through the speakers of Francis's Blackberry Storm. Shuffling the things around her bag she searched for her phone. "Yes?" 

She cradled the phone in her ear juggling her way into the condo. Her voice was layered with irritation. "I just got the news. I can't believe they gave Vanessa your spot, Vanessa! She's not half of the writer that you are!" Kendra ranted sounding more angry than Francis was. Then again Kendra never liked Vanessa.

"We need to go out."

"We?" Francis slipped off her brown and cream colored lace up ankle boots. In one lazy swift motion she threw her bag on the wooden table across the room falling into the sofa beside her. Lifting her feet she wiggled her toes in satisfaction.

"It's Friday night, so that should give us more reason to go out."

"But I-"

"Be ready by eight." The line clicked then there was silence. Francis bent her head back and let out a sigh. She brushed her fingers through the kinks in her hair. How she would get her mess right by eight was completely beyond her. Instead of stressing about it, she made herself more comfortable on the couch and went to sleep.

+ +

There was something about going out with Kendra that could drain every ounce of energy from your body. Keeping up with her is a task, and Francis had given up a long time ago. As promised by eight Kendra was at Francis's front door, and by nine at a club downtown. Both were in their usual locations; Kendra on the dance floor, and Francis in the booth alone drinking soda.

The music was so loud it vibrated from the floors through Francis's body. Twice she had been asked to dance, and both times she had nicely declined. At twenty-five clubbing wasn't her scene, and never really was. If it wasn't for Kendra's constant pressuring to do so, she would be at home typing up a article next to her cat noodle.

Francis took another sip of her coke. She looked over at Kendra face to face with her dance partner as she whined and rolled against him. Her strapless red number that was already short became shorter as it hiked up her thighs, but she didn't seem to notice or care. Her impeccably smooth dark skin glowed under the lighting. The chic bob which she rocked to a T, made her look like a celebrity. Kendra made Francis look like a bum in her cotton blouse, skinny jeans, and heels. Her kinks wildly falling down from her head.

"Francis?"

Francis took a moment to look away from her drink. She was surprised at who she saw. Helen, a free writing journalist who often submitted articles to the magazine. A short brawny woman, she always lived life by the day.