Burnt Sugar - Part 4 (standard:romance, 5275 words) [4/7] show all parts
Author: damnation	Added: Oct 19 2009	Views/Reads: 2244/2179	Part vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
This is an ongoing story set in Sydney, Australia. Centered around Taters, a small restaurant with character, Burnt Sugar is a concoction of love, drama, food and angst.This is an ongoing story set in Sydney, Australia. Centered around Taters, a small res

Burnt Sugar Part 4 

10 

"... maybe you're right. I shouldn't have come back." 

Her dirty, sweaty state of dress forgotten, Frances made for the
Courthouse pub, which was a mere ten minutes trek from Taters. She 
hadn't even picked up her jacket before leaving and the night was cold. 
Frances shivered but going back to Taters was not an option, so she 
gritted her teeth and trudged on with her arms wrapped around her 
waist. She hadn't gone too far when she heard running footsteps coming 
from behind her. Her first instinct was to veer to the left of the 
sidewalk to allow whoever it was to pass her by but the footsteps 
slowed to a walk as they came near her. 

Frances spun around suspiciously and was met with familiar green eyes
over a dark piece of clothing. Surprised, she took her jacket from her 
unlikely Samaritan and slipped her arms through the armholes 
gratefully. "Thanks," she said when she finally found her tongue. The 
night air felt cold against her damp cheeks but at least her body was 
thanking her for the extra bit of warmth. 

"Yeah, no problem. Are you, uh, gonna be okay?" Kristen asked after she
caught her breath. 

Kristen had planned to drive her very drunk boss home before she
realized that Frances had taken off without her belongings. After 
muttering a string of curses under her breath at being unwittingly 
stuck in the middle of this family drama, she had handed Tammy the keys 
to Russell's beat up Volkswagen and had gone after the woman herself. 

Frances shrugged, her head hanging low. "I'm sorry you had to witness
that. Thanks for the jacket. You should go. It's cold." 

"Where are you going?" Kristen asked instead of abiding to what Frances
had suggested. 

Another shrug. Kristen had to keep herself from rolling her eyes at this
defeated, sullen side of Frances. "Well," Kristen started, seeing that 
she wasn't going to get anything out of Frances, "do you want to keep 
walking then? Because you're right, it's cold." 

Frances turned her heels wordlessly, and was surprised to find Kristen
walking beside her in companionable silence. "What are you doing?" 

Kristen frowned. "What does it look like I'm doing?" 

Frances blew out an irritated breath and a bit of fire came back into
her eyes. "Well, it looks like you're walking, but then I'm not so 
sure. Are you? I need confirmation on this. Is what you're doing 
walking?" 

Frances wasn't sure but she thought that she caught a flash of smile on
Kristen's face. 

"Your Dad was drunk," Kristen began, only to be cut off by Frances'
snort. 

"Tell me something new." 

Okay.... Sarcasm I can handle, Kristen thought to herself. "Tammy's
sending him home." 

"Whoa, did you just obey me?" Frances' tone was incredulous. This time
she was sure that Kristen smiled. It made her chest feel lighter. When 
they got to the lights, she bit her lower lip and met Kristen's gaze 
shyly. "Thanks. For making sure that he's taken care of. And for coming 
after me with my stuff." Frances looked as the jumble of lights from 
shops, street lamps and cars were reflected across Kristen's face. The 
woman had surprised her with... caring. 

"So where're you going?" Kristen asked again, as though she was
uncomfortable with Frances' gratitude and chose to ignore it. 



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