Chapter Three

I woke with a start drenched in sweat. "What in the hell was that?" I said to myself. I have had the dream about my parents more times than I could count and never once was it that detailed and never once did I remember the intruders speaking. I always wondered how I ended up moving from the closet to my bed and sleeping after witnessing what I had witnessed. Was this an actual memory? And if so why now and what the actual fuck! They were there to take me? What for? I have no idea if this was real or if was my subconsciences way of filling in a gap thats been there festering for the last fours years, but I dreamt what I dreamt and it felt real like all the other times I have that dream. Difference is all the other times I knew it to be fact because thats what I remembered. That's what I knew to be true. This other crap that was thrown at me tonight...well I have no idea where that all came from.

Sitting there and letting my brain have its way of running amuck with endless questions that will get no answers I look over at the clock, 3:30am. I know I won't be able to go back to sleep and I have five more hours until the start of my first day of college and I couldn't manage to get some beauty sleep in. Fantastic. 

I decide to sort through my bag and make sure I have what I will need for the day. I wasn't able to get all the things on the list for school. Like a chromebook for one. I haven't been able to save that much up yet, but I'm hoping in another month or two I can pull it off. In the meantime I have to make due with the good old paper and pen.

When five o' clock hits I comb out my hair, brush my teeth and put the minimal amount of makeup on. I'm a mascara and lip gloss girl through and through. Getting dressed in my dark blue ripped jeans and white cotton t-shirt and some sneakers I grab my bag and head downstairs knowing Mrs. Rhonda will be down in the cafe baking some pastries for the day.

Walking in the back door I set my bag down on one of the stainless steel counters and I look over at her bent down and grabbing a large bag of flour. She looks up and smiles "Hello darlin' couldn't sleep?''

"You know me too well Mrs. Rhonda." I say as I walk over and lean against to counter next to her.

She stops what she's doing and props her hand on here hip and says "I hear you every night up there either pacing the floors or crying and it about breaks my damn heart, young lady."

"I'm sorry. I didn't know."

She stood there wearing a pair of khakis, a floral aprin with flour here and there on it and a pink polo shirt. Standing at about five foot and had grey hair, smile wrinkles all around her blue eyes. When she looks at you it feels like she has you all figured out. 

"Don't apologize. It's not your fault. Just wish I could help you somehow." She reached over to brush back a hair away from my face.

"I wish someone could. A good night sleep would be great, but I make due and besides you have done enough for me as it is. You gave me a job and a place to live. Your kindness alone has been the greatest gift anyone could have given me." I smiled and welcomed the hug she offered me.

I typically don't really like to be touched, but it's always good to get an honest to goodness hug every now and again. Especially Rhondas. She may be small, but it feels like she wraps you up and tucks you into her. If home had a feeling this would be it right here. Lord knows I need that home.

She pulls back slightly and asks if I would like to stay and help for a bit and she'll give me pastry and coffee before heading off. Of course I couldn't say no to that.

Getting it all done and then filled in the front counter with all the goodies for the customers to see and choose. I also got the coffee brewing. Decaf and regular. We made good time. She handed my a bagged up pastry and a coffee and wished me a good day and I the same for her. Then I jumped in my old baby blue Dodge Omni. The cheapest car on the lot at the time for obvious reason. Like, oh I don't know, thats its almost old as dirt. But it gets me to and from and its super cheap on gas. Which is always a plus. Start her up and I'm on my way to the edge of town to the University.