The Roses

Part 6

Athena finally reached the diner where she worked, there were two police cars just outside the diner. That's probably to question people about John. Wait, are you stupid Athena? Of course it's about John, why else would they be here? Athena shook her head and stepped out of the car and paced to the entrance, making sure not to get hit by any passing cars. Anyone passing? Nope. Okay good, go now! I wouldn't wanna get run over. I mean, I could use the money. Nah, I could die. Scratch that. Without her knowledge she was already on the other side of the street. She paused, she glanced over to the side to see an officer interrogating and co-worker; Layla. She paused for another moment staring at the door and ran in the diner. She let out a sigh of relief. She didn't know why she was relieved but she continued behind to the back of the diner and snatched her apron and notepad to begin the day's work.

"Hey, I uh didn't know you were working here today," another co-worker spoke, snapping Athena back to reality. She didn't even realize she was dreaming at the time.

"Hey, Lily uh yeah. I decided to give it a try today," Athena replied, giving a small, weak smile. Lily was a nice girl, quiet most of the time. She normally worked in the kitchen due to her social anxiety, which doesn't really make sense if you're working in a diner of all places. But, again there weren't very many job opportunities around. She was still a sweet girl, less awkward when you finally met her properly. Lily smiled back and continued to set up the kitchen in the back. Athena began to make the coffee when her phone buzzed, she set down the coffee pot and pulled out her phone, she read; Dean. She suddenly stopped breathing and declined the call. She sighed, picked up a pot of hot water to put in the coffee machine, and decided to block the caller, probably some sick joke someone was playing on me. But then again, how did they get my number? How did the caller ID say 'Dean' other than 'unknown caller ID'. No one knew about Dean other than me and Venessa. Who was it? She was snapped back into reality, and realized the water had began to spill,

"Shoot," Athena murmured, while backing up and putting the cup on the counter and ran to quickly grab a rag. But just as she was about to, she was interrupted,

"Ma'am? I asked if you were Ms. Athena Stone. Are you alright?" an officer spoke, looking at her with worried eyes.

"Uh, yes I'm fine. Sorry..." Athena stopped to look at the badge on the officer's chest, "officer Davis." He giggled.

"So I assume you're Athena Stone?" he questioned, she nodded.

"I was wondering if I could ask you a couple of questions if you don't mind," officer Davis addressed, while grabbing his notepad from his back pocket of his tactical pants.

"I figured you'd ask that. Yeah that's fine with me," Athena sighed, while giving a tight lipped smile.

"Okay, starting off from the beginning. How'd you meet John Miller?" the officer asked, while looking at Athena with caring eyes.

"Well, I was looking for a new job when I first came to California, and he was more than willing to take me in as a waitress," Athena finally spoke, while looking down at her hands.

"You must have been very close," officer Davis softly spoke, while putting his large hand on hers in effort to comfort and reassure her.

"Yeah, we uh..we were," Athena sniffled, while looking back up at the police officer.

"If I may ask, do you know anyone that would want to hurt him? Anyone with a grudge?" the officer questioned, with a more serious but still soft look on his face.

"No..everyone loved him," Athena shrugged, silent tears streaming down her soft skin.

"Okay, well I think we're done here. Have a wonderful day," officer Davis smiled, and strolled off to his fellow officers. Athena turned back around and grabbed some more hot water to make the coffee. She still had about 30 minutes to open for the day everything seemed to be in order until, her mind self-sabotaged at the thought that Dean had something to do with John's murder. It can't be him, he doesn't know where I live. He doesn't know where I work, he doesn't know anything. But then again, he did somehow have my number, and it did somehow have his name on it. Just forget it Athena, he doesn't know where you live. She finally convinced herself to forget about it and try not to let it ruin her day anymore than it already was.

She glanced up at the clock and read; 10:30. The 30 minutes had already passed since she began thinking about if Dean had an involvement. I seem to be doing that a lot... She was right of course ever since the name Dean had appeared on her phone, she seemed to have been zoning in and out of reality; lost in her own head. She had never really done that before, and it had been scaring her a little but she decided to push it down in her head and not over think it.

Customers began to run into the diner as soon and she switched the sign from 'CLOSED' to 'OPEN'. Customers gathered at their seats and the waiters started their duties.

~Time Skip To End Of Day~

At the end of the day the final customer left the diner and she began to pick up. Since John wasn't there to pick up with her so Lily; the cook stayed behind to help her clean up.

"You okay?" Lily spoke behind the kitchen counter, as she wiped down the stove.

"Hmm? Oh yeah I'm fine," Athena smiled, while she swept the floors.

"You sure? 'Cause you've been doing that recently. Zoning out I mean," Lily stated, while she began gathering her purse.

"Oh yeah I'm fine, just tired," Athena repeated, while she gave Lily a tight lipped smile. Just tired. A lie she had been telling herself for years now, all every since her mom died in that horrible crash....

"Oh okay, well I'm gonna go you sure you're gonna be okay to lock up?" Lily asked, snapping Athena back into reality, while she grabbed her coat. 'You okay to lock up?' a phrase Athena had heard before. She nodded and continued sweeping.

Shortly after Athena left, and arrived at the apartment. She heard noises coming from inside the apartment, I don't remember leaving the TV on. Athena unlocked the door slowly, and peered through as much as she could to see someone sitting on the couch. Athena put her keys in her knuckles and shakely opened the door.

"Hey!! I was going to surprise you but you hadn't texted me that you were coming home, so I was waiting for you, surprise!!" Venessa grinned, while getting up from her position on the couch.

"Really V??? You nearly scared me half to death! How come you're home so early?" Athena sighed in relief, as she released her grip on her keys and continued inside the house.

"Well since you weren't feeling so good I decided to end my shift early. There weren't many people at the hospital anyway. How was work?" Venessa replied, still grinning, as she hugged her best friend.

"It was alright, boring than ever. Other than that officer that questioned me earlier today," Athena rasped, trying her best to get away from Venessa's bone-crushing hug.

"Interesting. What was their name?" Venessa asked, still crushing Athena.

"Officer Davis," Athena breathed out, trying her best to catch a breath. Venessa pulled back a little giving Athena some oxygen, and looked at her with confusion.

"What?" Athena questioned, finally grateful to have air.

"Never heard of him," Venessa stated, and finally released Athena fully from her grasp.

"Okay then," Athena whispered to herself, a little confused at Venessa's response.

They continued the rest of their night as usual; they ate together, watched TV, and went to bed a little after each other. Athena's life was good, she had great friends and a great job, but ever since he started calling, John dying, everything seemed to repeat for the next week.