She laid there, heart drumming in her chest like a freight train ready to derail..She had heard it again. This was louder. This time, she didn't second guess herself..She knew she wasn't alone.3 weeks earlier..."Hey Jamie!" Sarah screams from across the busy street, catching my attention. " Oh my gosh, Sarah! Where have you been?! Tony's been asking about you left and right, lady!" I holler back as she tossed her bag over her shoulder. "Hold on, stay there!" Looking both ways, she then jogs over to catch up with me. People have been known to get hit on this road. No one seems to pay attention when driving or walking these days. Everyone is so wrapped up in their own little worlds typically revolving around their phones. I mean, why would they think to pay attention to the road when theres important texts to send or read, right? Gosh, it drives me crazy! Sarah throws her arms around me with a tight squeeze. Out of breath, she says, " I know! I don't know what to say. I'm so glad I ran into you first!"Tony's been her boss for the last 6 months, mine for almost a year. He owns a shaby but cute little dinner just off the shoreline here in sleepy 'ol Rothsdale. He's a pretty decent boss but definitely doesn't appreciate his employees taking off for a whole day, let alone 3 without some kind of communication. And Sarah, well, she had done just that. I can understand why he'd be upset. Covering shifts can be and is a pain in the ass! Mine especially, I covered two of hers."I tried calling you Friday night, but you didn't pick up. I was going to try to reach you again later but my phone died shortly after that. I just needed some time. T-time to clear my head and try to think things through. I'm sorry! Gosh, Tony's so gonna fire me!""No, way! Not right, not at least needs us right now! But I can see him scolding you for sure!" I say with a slight chuckle as I start heading towards the dinner.Walking a little ways past a few shops, I noticed Sarah was still stressed. She was looking around continuously nervously, keeping her arms tucked in hugging herself.Taking a deep breath, i look her way. "Sarah, what's going on? You know you can talk to me. I've been here for you for as long as we have known each other. Talk to me." I noticed her close her eyes, and with a little shake to her head, she said,"It's nothing, I just overthink everything. I just need to get back to being focused. No worries, Jamie. I promise. I know you're here for me. I do! I love you for it!" she takes a few long steps and stands in front of me. putting one hand on my of my shoulders, she tries to reassure me "Besides after I take me scolding from Tony this morning, We need to move onto bigger and better things, like your BIRTHDAY!" She laughs, pulling me in for another hug." We need to figure out birthday plans hun!! Like where we are going?! What are we wearing?!" Her eyes widen."Is Gary going to be there?! Shit Hun does he even know?" She started rattling off all these questions while trying to hide her defloration. I rasie my eyebrowns in surprise, not knowing where to start with this twist in the conversation. "JAMIE! it's in two days! Dont tell me you haven't given it any thought yet?! Oh my gosh! See! No more about me and what's on my plate right now, ok?" And with that, she put on a smile that even I didn't recognize. Walking into the dinner, it was just a little after 9 in the morning. I see a few of our regulars.sipping on their coffee and reading the All Inspiring weekly paper. It's not at all Inspiring. That's just literally its name.I hear Tony in the back passing out orders.to our cook Mikey. Mike's been with us now for 3 months. The kid was born to cook. I've never met someone like him before that can carry on a whole day talking about different recipes and seasoning he has or plans on trying. He's light-hearted and very down to earth for being 19. He knew stepping out of high school, his dream was to cook. He's always talking about how food is the gateway to peace, conversation, and the heart. So not only is he living his dream at a young age, but he's completely content knowing he can give people a little slice of his "bliss," he calls it. "Mikey, I gave you the weekends to work your magic! I need you to keep to the menu for in the mornings, lunch and dinner. We need to have the "normal-go-to" ya know. They need to be able to get an over easy egg, toast, pancakes, and french toast. We need to have our Juicy Burgers and our Patty Melts. Seriously, my boy! The normal. I am completely okay with the random ideas and the special seasonings, but you still have to stick to our menu," With that, it's clear Mikeys is not getting his orders out fast. Which can only mean he's been working on one of his recipes on the side. Eggs and toast should only take 5 mins. When Mike's distracted, it can take up to 15. That's when Tony tries to shake him out of La-La Land. "Mornin Tony!" I say

Emily - My mind is racing with thoughts as I slow the car enough to pull into my driveway. "Welcome back to the Bermuda triangle of life" I said to myself as I shut off the radio slowing to a stop. Shaking my head I shift the car in park, shutting it off. Sitting quietly for a minute. Random thoughts start popping in my mind to say hello- How did I get like this? Two years ago, life was so different. Even at my strongest I didn't see this coming. How? How didn't I know??! "Home shouldn't feel like this, yet relentlessly it always does." I let slip my lips in a whisper. -Just ten minutes ago I was jamming out to the radio, enjoying the evening skies.. feeling like every sun beam through the clouds were sent to me. Feelings of courage and grace. Meant to help lift my spirits, keep me going... ... ... ... I have gone over this with myself so many times. More over the recent years. Who am I kidding?? Its more like Bit**ing at myself like a pep talk. If I want change.. I have to make things change. Make different choices. "Yup, ya d*mb a** it's just that simple"- I say out loud to myself as I stand here taking in the breeze knowing damn well I will probably give up.. "Ego" your mean I say to myself. even when I allow it to show it's ugly face and I know better! why do I even let it shows it's face at all?! A question comes through my mind and lingers... Have I lost myself? ... ... ... Without a fail in assumptions, and I say assumptions because lately my intuition is definitely been off. I haven't seen nor heard a peep!! Ugh! I sigh loudly.. my shoulders both drop and my facial expression fades from shocked to defeat.. I feel this frustration start buzzing through my body as I struggle to step over backpacks mixed with toys on the floor blocking the walk way trying to over look the shoes that had been kicked off and remain where they landed. To no surprise at all, all I hear is kids having overly tired break downs simply and honestly because of 'operator errors'. Ugh! "Come on now" I say out of frustration of course going unheard. Im home. ... ... ... What will she do? keep reading to find out!