Two Streets Down [R.D.J]

Chapter 4: Take You Home

     Grace took the stairs for to the second floor, where her apartment was located. Her shift at the cafe had just ended at four. She had gone in at seven, since opening time. She liked Fridays, they were three times better than Mondays. She only worked Monday mornings in holidays, when she did not have school. The few times she worked Monday mornings had been enough to hate it. Costumers were far more snappy in a Monday morning. In contrast, Fridays were calmer and relaxed. People were nicer, having the weekend coming, knowing they were free to relax by the end of the day.

It had been a good day. She had at least sixty dollars in tips and she had worked a nine hour shift when she usually worked eight. The Corner Cafe had gotten quite popular over the years and had expanded into four locations throughout Boston. Grace works in the original shop. The coffee shop has expanded, it remains with the same coziness and style.

The cafe has a 'to go' station and the 'sit in'. The workers rotate, sit in consumers give more tips. Grace had been put in the sit in for the day. That meant she was basically a waitress. She did not mind, the tips were worth it and the consumers tend to be nicer.

Grace reached her apartment and entered, closing the door after her. She hung her bag and walked into the white and turquoise kitchen. She grabbed a water bottle and headed to the studio. She had at least thirty minutes to paint.

She was meeting her friends for lunch. Brenda had classes from eight to two. Diana had the same shift, eight to four. Julian and Diana work at the same restaurant but it was his free day. Lastly, Jem works until four thirty in a music store.

The first thing she saw as she entered was the watercolor painting. She had finished the painting Wednesday, but she left it in the easel, something she always does. She lets the painting rest in there for at least four days. As she walks past it she stares at it before moving on to grab new canvas from the closet.

It's important to keep the painting where she can see it because as the four days pass she can spot any flaws and fix them on day five, then she can call it done.

She set the large canvas in the desk. It was doing commissioned work, a painting of a wedding photography. She a large  brush to mix white, red, and a hint of yellow, recreating the salmon background in the photograph. Once she had a fair amount of the congruent color she dumped a large amount into the canvas. Using the large brush, she developed the background, expanding the paint until the large canvas was completely covered.

Having finish the background, she  used newsprint paper to draw he happy couple, then she would transfer into the canvas, it was a safer procedure. She started with the bride, looking from the photo to the thin grayish paper she was working on. She developed the contour lines, not bothering to add much detail, knowing she wouldn't have time to finish. 

Once she was done with the contour lines, she set the pencil down. She went into her room, grabbed her towel and marched into the bathroom. She already had in mind what she was going to wear for lunch. She was taking a bag with a different outfit for the club, she was changing at Brenda's and Diana's shared apartment. 

    When Grace arrived Brenda, Diana, and Julian were already there. Jem arrive only five minutes after, fresh out of the shower. The waitress arrived shortly after, providing them with the menu card.  Jem and Grace were sitting next to each other, leaving the other three to sit across from them. Brenda, Diana, and Julian were the trio. Jem and Grace would tease them about it. 

Julian was Diana's ride, since Brenda lives with her he is also hers. They always arrive and leave together, Jem started calling them 'The Trio'. 

"We should go to the gallery after," Julian suggested.

Jem and Brenda nodded in agreement. The inauguration had been a success. The tickets were sold out, people paced through the gallery, dressed for the occasion, a glass of wine or champagne in hand as they admired and discussed the art work being exposed. Jem, Brenda, and Julian had been unable to attend, they were working.  Her family and Diana had accompanied her through the evening.