Two Streets Down [R.D.J]

Chapter 5: Black Coffee; Part 1

     Grace was exhausted. She had spent the night tossing and turning, unable to sleep. Instantaneous memories from Friday night continued rolling back to her. It had been happening since Sunday night and continued throughout the week. The night Robert had taken her home she slept right away, there was enough alcohol in her system for her to sleep like a baby. She had woken up the next day a quarter before eleven. She was slightly uncomfortable due to her clothing. She had fallen asleep with her nightclub clothes on, instead of the oversize shirt she usually wore for bed.

Saturday night the tossing and turning had begun.  She was sleep deprived and she blamed Robert for that. He kept slipping into her mind at night. She would find herself trapped in a vivid memory of him, the way he caressed her face and the way his chocolate brown eyes shimmered, reflecting the colored lights in the club. Grace knew what she felt was not a only attraction for the handsome man. It was a crush.

Grace had a crush on her so called uncle. He was not her uncle. He had said so himself. Robert had stated he didn't see her as his niece and she had admitted she did not see him as an uncle either. She had been drunk but not drunk enough to forget the fool she had made of herself. She felt embarrassed.

She had acted immature in front of Robert, giggling at everything. Grace remembers calling him cute, she wishes she could avoid seeing him until that memory vanishes from both of their minds. However, she knows she will see him sooner or later and she won't be mentally ready. Grandma Al's birthday was coming soon, she will definitely invite Robert and Anne will drag Grace to the party if necessary.

Grace felt guilty for the situation she had put them in. She felt guilty for having a crush on Robert. Although he is not literally her uncle, her parents see it that way. Feeling attracted for Robert is morally wrong. He is older than her, but to her, age does not matter, The problem is the family. In the eyes of her family Robert is her uncle and she is his niece.

Only half awake, Grace sat in her last class for the day. She was half listening to the professor and half wishing to lie down in the floor and fall asleep. Wednesdays meant three classes and work from four to ten. She is a Crew Trainer, which means that she has to train any new employees and her salary is a dollar higher, which does not sound like much but she appreciates it very much when she receives her check. She has been training a new guy since Monday, it's his first job. It requires a lot of patience to train someone with no experience whatsoever, adding the fact she is sleep deprived she is doing great.

Diana pulled out her notepad, she was looking ahead to the professor, pen in hand. Grace followed after her, rubbing her eyes, trying to stay alert. She did not want to miss anything important, although she could always ask Diana. The professor ranted about the theme the next project was going to be about. He told them to do some research about it and class was finally dismissed. Students packed their things and walked out the door.

"God," Diana said, "you look like a zombie."

"I still can't sleep," Grace signed.

"You didn't have trouble sleeping before," Diana said, sounding concerned. "Is everything okay?'

"Yeah," she lied, having a crush on Robert was not okay. "I should get going, I have an hour to work in this painting I am working on before I go in for work."

"Alright," Diana said, "see you tomorrow twin."

Grace chuckled. "Bye, twin."

When Grace had first learned her name was Diana, she told her that her middle name was Artemis. She explained who was the goddess and told her Artemis's Roman name was Diana.  Diana was thrilled to know she shared names with a goddess. She declared Grace and her were twins since they were named as the same goddess and they both shared a passion for art and were both the same age.