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


Brandy just stared blankly at the picture of Ace and the woman who she assumed was his wife. She wiped her nose then sat up, neatly placing the picture on the nightstand. She looked at the clean gold ring on her thumb, she slid it onto her ring finger and held out her hand, the ring much too large for her finger hung loosely. [I]Maybe someday. [/i] She sat the ring down next to the picture frame and sighed. Though Ace hadn't been gone too long, it felt like forever. She wanted to ask him about the two items, but she had lost her nerve. Walking over to Ace’s desk she pulled open the top drawer, there were three other pictures of the woman in there, she brushed away a tear and picked up a pencil and paper and write Ace a note.

[I]Dear Ace,
I understand why I embarrassed you last night when I kissed you in the diner. I had no idea that you were married, none at all. You have never mentioned it, and I never thought to ask. I feel like a complete fool, I am sorry. I will leave you alone, I can't break up a marriage, that's not right.
Brandy
P.S. She is very beautiful. [/i]

Brandy placed the note on the bed where Ace would surely see it. She took one last look at the picture and walked through the appliance room to the cellar door. The door was heavy, but she managed to open it with some effort. Pausing to listen for a moment, she didn't hear anymore gunshots. She quietly shut the cellar door and bee lined for her house.

“Hey kid, why the long face?” asked Waylon startling her a little.

“I...um...I’m sorry Waylon, I don't really want to talk about it right now if that's alright?”

“Hey, no problem, hope whatever it is gets better. See ya later,” Waylon continued to the house next door to Brandy's, the horse was in a pen with a brahmin grazing on a small clump of grass. He walked up to the door, thinking it better to do than just taking the horse. He knocked on the door, “Hello?”

Brandy would have really liked to check out the horse, she watched it chew some grass then unlocked her front door. She left it open as the screen door slammed back shut behind her. She opened up the windows to enjoy the ocean breeze and also to keep it cool while she used her oven. She ran upstairs and tore her clothes off, putting on a sky blue summer dress and her glasses. [I]Grandma always said cooking helps because you help others to have a meal. [/i] A small smile formed on her lips as she walked to the kitchen. Her apron was hung next to the fridge and she put it over her head and tied the back before she grabbed an empty container, flour, two eggs and some seasoning she had in the cupboard. She decided she was making fried chicken for Frieda and herself. She began mixing the ingredients together and pulled a container with the chicken she had dressed the other day. She rolled the pieces in her batter and put them on a plate as the cooking oil came to temperature.