Winston

2. late night walks to nowhere

W I N S T O N

Wandering the streets during the night is one of my favorite things to do. The moon, the quietness, the calmness, no traffic honking at one another, it's just so...peaceful. I walk the streets, smoke, and see where I end up. I do this mostly because I don't like being at home or I can't sleep. Both are pretty common for me, especially on a Friday night.

The cool wind blows, causing me to wrap my jacket around my body. I block the wind to light my cigarette. I inhale deeply, feeling the smoke in my lungs.

While kicking a rock down the street and I look down the block to see a flashing fluorescent green sign that reads 'OPEN'. Joe's Café. The only place in town open every day of the week, twenty-four hours a day. It's a little rundown building in the middle of town and also a routine visit for me when I'm on my strolls.

I take a few more hits as I make my way to the door. I glance inside the dimly lit coffee shop, I'm the only one here. However, I didn't expect anyone else since it's three O'clock in the morning.

I toss my used cigarette onto the side walk and quickly light another.

As I walk in, the door a bell jingles and causes the girl sleeping on the counter to stir. I inhale and exhale the smoke deeply, blowing it to the floor.

I walk up to the counter and nudge the girl. She makes noises of protest and readjusts her position.

I take another hit and exhale heavily. Then I nudge her again, a little harder this time. "Wake up." I say, getting slightly irritated.

She finally yawns and sits up. "Oh hey, Winston."

Have I met her before?

"It's about damn time." I roll my eyes.

"Don't you have better things to be doing at three in the morning?" She states with absolute confidence.

Nope.

I ignore her question, instead I put the cigarette to my lips and inhale. I nod my head back and blow the smoke out of my mouth.

"Nasty habit." She mutters, glancing at me.

"You're pretty opinionated, you know that?" I snap, meeting her eyes.

"So you think I'm pretty? I'm honored." She flashes a faux smile, sarcasm dripping from her voice.

"Yeah, pretty irritating."

She rubs her eyes, unfazed by my comment and says, "So what would you like?"

Something about this girl seems familiar,  but I can't make out her features very well in the dimly lit room. Although I distinctly remember that confidence and sarcasm very well.

The girl from the smoking alley.

What was her name? Kaci? Macie? Staci? Hell, I don't know. I glance at her name tag, which reads "Gracie."

I've meet her once. How am I supposed to remember her name?

"A large coffee."

She turns around and starts pouring my drink and looks over her shoulder, "Cream or sugar?"

"Hell no."

She turns back around and mutters something I can't hear.

I'm getting my wallet out when she sits my cup on the bar.

"Thanks."

I dig in my wallet for the money and lay it on the counter.

She smiles and says, "Enjoy."

I nod, grab my coffee and make my way to the door. And stop short when she says, "I'll see you Monday."

I turn to face her, "Don't count on it." then walk out into the street.

I sip on my black coffee and tread back home. After walking for what seems like hours I finally arrive at the gate to my, or should I say my step father's, house.

My least favorite place to be. I hate it here.

It's more of a mansion than a house, it is a large brick house with columns arranged at the front, tall windows, and it stands two stories high.

I unlock the door to find Kyle and Carson sitting at the kitchen counter playing cards.

Carson is my sixteen-year-old step brother, he has the signature brown hair and eyes of the Carter family. He's always wanted to be my shadow since Mom and I moved in with them. I don't know why he would, I'm a terrible excuse for a role model.

"Winston, it's a little late to be out isn't it?" Carson says without looking up from the game.

"I guess I could say the same for you." I walk to the fridge and open it, scanning the contents in search of a snack.

"I was just waiting on my favorite brother to get home." He singsongs, looking at me with puppy eyes.

"Step brother." I corrected, closing the fridge. "Why are you up anyway?"

"I couldn't sleep so I woke Kyle up too. Why are you?" I see Kyle roll his eyes at his brother.

I glance down at the empty cup in my hand, "Just getting coffee."

"For three hours?" Carson questions.

I take a deep breath, all of these questions are starting to get on my nerves. "Yeah."

"Does it have anything to do with the cute employee that works during the night? I've seen her there a few times. Very cute." Kyle buts in, raising his eyebrows.

The word "cute" has never came to mind to describe Gracie. Even though it stands true, more obvious words stick out to me. Sarcastic. Loud. Stubborn. Annoying.

"Yeah, her! What was her name again?" Carson asks, tapping his chin.

Gracie.

"You could introduce us, Winston! You get coffee there all the time." Carson adds, getting excited.

"I don't know her." I say shortly, ending the conversation as I walk up the stairs to my room.

On the way I pass Kyle and Carson's rooms, which are connected, while mine is across the hall by itself.

I open the door and flop down on my bed. My room is very bare, there's nothing on the walls, minimal furniture, considering how big it is, and the only messy aspect about it is just the clothes in the floor. 

My thoughts drift back to the coffee shop and Gracie. I cover up with a blanket and turn over on my side, and having yet another, sleepless night.

***

hope you liked this chapter! thank you so much for reading! always remember I'm always here to talk!

-nel