[Center][color=00aeef][b]Brandy Brooks - Ace’s Diner - Early Afternoon [/b][/color][/center]


[I]Like a boss, like a boss, handle it like a boss [/i], Shelby's words cycled in Brandy's thoughts as she walked down the stairs. She walked right past the Dr. Arthur froze and backed up, “Dr. Arthur,  I brought two wheelchairs, and a few other things for you, for the clinic.” She gestured to the pulpit where she had placed everything, “If I find more stuff I'll bring it right over, but I have to go take care of something right now. I will bring you some food later if you want to rest, you look really tired.” She smiled, “You're a real good man Dr. Arthur, we sure are lucky to have you around. I hate to leave, but I have to go now. Have a wonderful day.”

Brandy stepped outside, she puffed up her chest and took a deep breath, “Like a...a, like a f…” she narrowed her eyes and looked towards the diner, “LIKE A FUCKING BOSS!!!” She quickly looked around, hoping nobody heard her.

Waylon and Shelby were wheeling Eliza to the door when they heard Brandy. He looked at Shelby, “I hope you're happy.”

Shelby have a devilish grin, “No, not really, I forgot a couple of things.” They wheeled Eliza  out the door, “Hang on a sec guys, BRANDY!” Brandy turned around and met Shelby halfway, “I forgot, the first thing you need to do is walk right up to Ace and give him a good kiss, then walk over to that chick.”

Brandy rifled through her bag, “Let me find a pencil, this is a lot of stuff to remember.”

Shelby pulled Brandy's hand from her purse, “Look at me, I know you aren't a mean person Brandy, but sometimes you have to kick a little...ya know? Stop letting people walk all over you, you're a....a good friend, a good person and most everyone in this shit ass world these days will take advantage of that, stop letting them.”

Brandy took a breath, “I'm your friend, a real friend?”

Shelby rolled her eyes, “You drive me nuts sometimes and I could choke the shit out of you but yeah...youre my friend.”

Brandy hugged Shelby and squeezed, “I never knew you thought that, that you were a real friend, thank you.”

“Yeah yeah, go on, take care of business,” Shelby broke off the hug and started walking back towards Eliza and Waylon before yelling over her shoulder, “Tie your hair back and take your glasses off.”

“But I don't have a hair tie on me.”

Shelby dramatically rolled her eyes again, “Then go home and get one.”

Brandy gave a thumbs up, “Good idea, I'm on it.” She turned around and walked home, [i]handle your shit, he's your man, be a fucking boss [/i], she repeated in her mind. She got to her front door and looked across the street at the diner, she caught a glimpse of Betty and clenched her fists, “Handle your shit. He is my man.” She walked inside slamming the door behind her. Going straight up the stairs to her bathroom she stood in front of the mirror, “Let her know not to mess with Ace, you deserve him, you deserve to be happy. I'm not letting you steal him away. Be a fucking boss.” She spoke to herself in the mirror as she pulled her hair up into a ponytail. She stared at her reflection then took off her glasses, “I'm sorry Nana and Papa, but I have to handle my stuff.”

She drummed her fingers on the edge of the sink and began to practice mean mugging. She clenched her jaw, balled up her fists, narrowed her eyes, “STAY THE FUCK AWAY FROM MY MAN!!!” She screamed, as she worked herself up, recalling Shelby's advice her heart rate picked up. She wished Shelby was still there to coach her along but Shelby was right, she needed to handle this on her own and not let the girl think she can walk all over her. Who was Brandy to question Shelby? She had seen Shelby be mean quite a bit, like Shelby was a professional. Thoughts of people she remembered taking advantage of her, stealing from her, harassing her, tricking her, being flat out rude to her. Her own brother who had done all of those things to her, this girl was the straw that broke the camel's back. “[i]ENOUGH IS ENOUGH[/i],” she snarled at the mirror.

One last, long, deep breath and Brandy turned and walked slowly down the stairs to her front door. She chewed on her lower lip, kept opening and closing her fists, with a nod she whipped open the door. Tunnel vision set in on the diner, she saw the sign Steve had put up earlier, “I will rip you down,” she growled under her breath and marched across the street to the diner. She got to the door and put her hand on the door pull, she watched as Betty walked past Ace, running her hand across the small of his back. “Like a fucking boss, time to handle this my shit.”

Brandy yanked the door open, Betty glanced but went right back to what she was doing and paid no attention to Brandy. She walked around the counter, “You can't be back here Toots.”

“[i]OOOHHHHH[/i], yes I can….[i]BETTY[/i],” Brandy hissed like a venomous snake and she walked up to Ace and put her right arm around his waist and her left hand behind his head, pulling him down where her lips met his and she gave him the most passionate kiss. “I'm taking care of you tonight, you might want to close up early Honey.”

Brandy turned around to see Betty staring at her with disgust. She walked right up to the younger woman, Betty didn't back down and Brandy got right in her face just like Shelby had told her to, pressing her feet hard on the tile floor moving Betty back. “What's your fucking problem Toots?”

“[b]YOU[/b], you're my....my fucking problem bitch,” Brandy's eyes began to burn with rage as she very quickly reflected on seeing Betty drag her hand across Ace’s back. She shoved her finger up to Betty’s face, “You stay the fuck away from Ace. Don't you fucking touch him like that ever again, you got that bitch?”

Betty leaned back and laughed, “Are you serious right now Toots?”

Brandy balled up her right fist and raised her brow, “Yes I am [i]Betty [/i],” and from out of nowhere and unable to stop, the never felt before ferocity of her anger exploded and Brandy’s fist found Betty’s mouth, “Serious enough bitch?”