Stuck

It was comparable to self-torture.  Daniella couldn't shake the dreadful vision out of head nor respond to any activity around her.  It was like one of those dreams where one becomes stuck, frozen, you want to respond but feel paralyzed; incapable.  Helpless, for a lack of a better word.  This was no dream, what Daniella just witnessed would be engraved in her mind forever.  It would affect her life, her well-being, her safety, her sanity. 

Flashbacks of various scenarios floating around her conscious mind:
 

"Hello, Josh", Daniella smiled. 

 

Josh smiled back, "Hi, Ella!"  That was his special nickname for her. 

Josh was running around the inside entrance of the building, his usual morning routine.  This particular day, however, Daniella paid extra attention to him.  Unsure why, she turned again to look at him before she left. He was dressed in a bright red shirt with matching sneakers.  His toys scattered all over.  Shrugging it off, she continued. 

Daniella enjoyed seeing him every morning.  She felt empathetic toward his family, and even more so toward Josh.  His father, Mario, was the buildings maintenance man.  Mario was always in a rush running around the facility with tools.  At times, Josh would accompany his father, but more often than not.  Daniella mostly saw him alone. Josh's mom, never around, was always behind closed doors.  Marjorie would babysit from time to time. 

 

Josh was always happy to see people.  Being unusually short and frail for his age, it was difficult for him to make friends.  He had no siblings and his parents often argued and acted withdrawn.  He was very lonely.   He took a special liking for Daniella and her sister, Marjorie.  They paid attention to him.  Marjorie bought him toys.  In fact, she kept a toy chest for him at their apartment. 

Now all she could focus on were the tiny crushed legs, she saw; and one blood-soaked red sneaker laying in the middle of the road.  It couldn't be...but is was. 

Who could do this?  Why, didn't they see him? 

Daniella in complete utter shock. 

The paramedic wrapped her in a warm blanket...

Nicholas Eagerly Runs

"Ms. Spencer!...Ms. Spencer!", Nicholas yelled, as he tried to catch his breath.  

Still frozen with fear, Daniella was unaware of sight and sound. She lacked all of her senses.  She did not hear Nicholas, the officer nor the paramedic. 

"Miss, can you hear us?", asked the paramedic, gently.  Nothing, not a voice, a touch, not the young attractive gentleman who was sprinting and screaming; very eager to catch her attention.  

"Damn!", Nicholas winced.  

He was just about to reach Daniella when he felt a sudden piercing sensation.  The pain was so immense it caused him to forcefully collapse hitting the pavement.  His head ricocheting off of the cold ground, deeply cutting his cheek as it bounced. Blood everywhere.   

Trying to come to and open his eyes, garbled voices reverberating... "He's been badly injured!". 

The police lieutenant quickly gave instructions to his officers,"Clear the immediate area within a 2 mile radius, now!"   

"Man down, man down.  We are dealing with a possible gun shot wound to the right groin!  Extra medical units required!" 

While Nicholas couldn't see or hear clearly additionally baring the worst pain he had ever experienced, Daniella remained his main concentration.  Was she okay?  Nicholas attempted to call her name again when the paramedics placed him on a stretcher, placing oxygen over his bloody mouth. 

Nicholas could barely move or keep his eyes open. But every time he gained consciousness he attempted to rip the oxygen off of his face and pull himself up. While they just met in class, no less, her weak, defenseless stare was frozen in his mind.   He knew he had to get to her. She needed him. 

A short Nap

Overly exhausted from last evening, Nicholas found himself unable to keep his eyes open.  

"I have to be able to make it home in time, to take her shopping", he thought to himself.   

He quickly glanced at his cell phone to check the time. He shut the car off and carefully pressed the button to recline the seat all the way back. Next, he made sure the doors were locked and pulled a worn, disheveled Yankee hat over his eyes. Nick had the Yankee hat for years, his mother gave it to him on his 13th birthday.  It had been his dads and if he ever lost it, he himself, wouldn't be able to function. Now it was time to rest a bit before he drove home.  

Nicholas's mother relied on him as the male, head of household. His father, Thomas, died when Nick was only 4.  His mother remains extremely frail and not completely "with it" since her husbands death. At an early age Nick became used to responsibility and a whole lot of it. 

He was one of three siblings.  He had twin sisters Bianca and Bella. Bianca and Bella were two beautiful young woman whom he loved very much. He assisted his mom with them from the day they were born.  It was his duty to protect them at all costs. They were quite a handful and didn't even try. Similar to Nick, they were both knockouts.  Long light brown hair, nearly perfect shapes, and beautiful green eyes.  Now in their late teens they both desired boyfriends but it was unacceptable, especially when Nick was around.  But they were able to sneak in their fair share of fun when Nick was out. And, Nick was out often.

Waking up about an hour and a half after pulling his cap over his eyes, Nicholas jumped up at the sound of his phone alarm.  Perfect, he thought, I will arrive home just in time.  

He stuck the key in the ignition and was off. Little did he know, what he was about to experience would be life changing.  

Nicholas managed to speed on the parkway and made it to the exit in less than 10 minutes.  His mustang was his pride and joy, it always got him to where he was going quickly and effortlessly.  This evening, it wasn't going to be able to save him.  

While he was able to get to his town, the traffic was at a standstill a few blocks in. What in God's name was going on.  It was only a couple minutes after 5 PM.  He was going to have to park and sprint home.  He would borrow his neighbors car, he couldn't be late.   

Securing his vehicle as he exited, he took off running.  Nicholas only made it about two blocks when he saw Daniella.  He couldn't just leave her. Daniella was sitting in her car surrounded by police and a paramedic was about to asses her.   She didn't look well at all.  In fact, she looked helpless not completely there.  His heart started racing. I need to save this woman.  He readdressed his focus on Daniella and immediately ran to her rescue.  

Neighbor

"Excuse me, Miss...Miss?" The policeman was attempting to get a response from Daniella, without any luck.

He had been on duty since 6:00 AM and could barely keep his eyes open. The commotion and horrific scene was keeping him awake. During the past five years on the force, he has never witnessed such a horrible crime scene.

He was supposed to finish his shift by 2:00 PM, but was called to respond to a possible hit and run homicide.

The scene was truly unbearable for most. At 2:00 PM it was difficult to divert traffic in this busy section of town. When school was out by 3:00 PM it became worse and now at rush hour almost impossible.

Vehicular manslaughter was suspected and there were two victims with a third severely injured. Only one witness. The witness and the injured party had to be airlifted to UMDNJ in Newark, NJ.

CSI speculated that there was no possible way either victim would have survived. They were both killed instantly upon impact. What no one knew, solely except to undisclosed individuals, that there were actually three deaths that afternoon. One victim was with child.

The officer tried one last time to get Daniella's attention. With no luck, he whistled for the paramedics attention.

Frozen by fear and horror, Daniella was in shock. She saw what was happening, however was unable to utter a word. The witness was also in severe shock, as well.

She knew the victims, extremely well. They were her neighbors. In fact, her building was only a couple blocks away.

Accident

It was nearly 5:00 PM. Daniella felt her heart racing. She was stuck in back to back traffic. The traffic was slowly inching along. Trying to come up with any type of distraction to calm her nerves, Daniella was fixated on her bubble bath.

The thought of the warm slippery sensation of soapy bubbles and water. The notion that she would soon be soaking all of the tension anxiety away. Peeling her uncomfortable clothes off. Especially the business attire.

Heaven...

As she approached the next light, her distraction switched to intense fear and sadness. Her usual ten minute drive, now nearly one hour, became one of the worst commutes of her life. She wasn't going to heaven alone tonight.

As she sat at the light repeatedly rubbing her eyes a police officer approached her vehicle.

"Good afternoon, I am sorry miss. No one will be allowed beyond this point without the proper identification and purpose" said, Officer Ramirez.

Horrified at the scene...Daniella broke down and could not respond.

Dangerous

Daniella couldn't wait to get home and soak in a warm, soapy bubble bath. It became a weekly ritual..at times more than once. In fact, it was one of the places that she considered heaven. A place where she could relax and let herself go.

Marjorie glanced at the alarm clock wondering if they could fit in one more round. Probably not, she sighed. That wasn't the only time she sighed, yelled or moaned that day.

While sweet and seemingly innocent, Marjorie had an "anything" goes attitude when it came to sex. Her appetite for pleasure was immense as was her lovers.

She gently brushed up against the man in her bed making sure he felt her breasts against his back.

"Mmmmm", he moaned.

"It's time to go, Daniella will be home soon", she whispered.

He took his hand and passionately rubbed her inner thigh purposely getting as close as he could to his favorite spot.

The best part about Marjorie and her lover was that they had to be extremely secretive. They were careful and no one had the least bit of knowledge that they were an amazing item in between the sheets. They couldn't know. This explained why Marjorie had no care in the world to find a steady boyfriend. She had everything she wanted under one big roof.

It was pleasurable, intense, passionate, gentle, rough at times, desirable, amazing mind blowing sex. Something that they both needed, wanted, and ached for as much as they could breathe.

Daniella Teaches: Nicholas Speechless

With every last ounce of patience, Nicholas bit his tongue.  He thought about leaving class but he knew he had to stay.  I can't believe this professor, if that is what you want to call her, embarrassed the crap out of me. I need to make her pay somehow, he thought.  I will just have to get to know her better, he smirked. 

 

Daniella began to teach the class.  A class full of thirty college students.  While Daniella wasn't organized, she was extremely knowledgeable and talented.  She was also an amazing teacher.  She broke any material into understandable masterpieces.  Brilliance a colleague once told her.  In college, she was often called upon in class to help other students. 

 

Daniella asked, "Sir, would you please pass out the syllabus, since you seem to be daydreaming?"

 

Nicholas again in a daze thinking of revenge, unaware the professor was speaking to him. 

 

"Hello?", Daniella further questioned, as she lightly nudged his shoulder.

 

"What?", Nicholas jumped.  Who does this b.... think she is? "Oh, I mean I am sorry", Nicholas stood up as he brushed off his shoulder.  "Yes, ma'am, I apologize", Nicholas replied.

 

Daniella now sheepishly smiling responded, "Thank you, sir". 

 

As Nicholas walked around the classroom handing out the syllabus, his friend Eduardo whispered, "She digs you."  Nicholas rolled his eyes and responded, "Hardly".  Then it dawned on him, could she possibly like me? Or, me her.  Eduardo made a good point, all chicks are attracted to me.  Either that or I need sleep.  Nicholas quickly shafted romance out of his head.  It was hard for him to forget about women, romance, and sex. 

 

There was no doubt he was handsome.  Nicholas never had a problem getting a date or laid for that matter.  He was stunning.  Dark thick hair never out of place, perfectly cut and styled, even when he was tired. 

Hell, he never slept last night.  He ran home and jumped into the shower to wash away the stench of whiskey, vodka, and beer...before heading to class. 

Not being able to get the professor off of his mind again, he began staring at her.  Hmmm he thought to himself.  She isn't half bad.  But, she probably is not worth the chase, she looks as if she only believes in extraordinary love...something that doesn't exist. 

Nicholas Stutters

Daniella just made it in time to the classroom.  In fact, as soon as she placed her hand on the cold door knob, Nicholas was counting...5,4,3,2...

Daniella accidentally swung the classroom door open.  The students were all over the room laughing and joking.  Seeing the disarray, Daniella boldly questioned, "Did I interrupt something?"

Nicholas replied, "My sleep."

Daniella felt the blood rush throughout her body. Breathe her mind told her.  Trying her best not to become annoyed, Daniella said, "Oh, you could go back home and receive a zero for no participation .

Nicholas smiled and winked at Daniella.

Disgusted at his disrespect and forwardness, Daniella stated, "Excuse me? Would you like to lead the class?"

Nicholas answered, "Who me?"

Daniella replied, "Yes, you; It seemed you were leading when I walked in as no one was seated and you were about to dismiss everyone."

Nicholas was beginning to feel overwhelmed.  The last time a dumb broad embarrassed him was in High School.  He could not disrespect this woman, he could not afford to fail the class.

Nicholas stuttered, "Um, um no Ms.".  Daniella cut him off.  For the first time in years, Nicholas could not even finish his sentence.

Daniella sternly said, "I didn't think so, as it looked like a circus to me when I walked in."

Way to go, Daniella thought.  I put him in his place.  I do not need to deal with immature men.  I need to focus on enriching students.   Although, he was quite a lovely distraction.

Late to Class

Nicholas could barely keep his eyes open.  The repeated vibration of his phone kept him awake.

"Where is the damn bitch?", Nicholas thought, while he stared at his watch.

Daniella slammed the car door shut, nearly missing her finger.  As attractive as she was, Daniella was never meant for grace.  Marjorie was the graceful one.  Daniella liked to look professional at work and sexy at leisure in a great pair of ripped jeans.  To most men, Daniella could never hide her attractiveness.  It was in her blood.  She drew them in.  She was fully equipped with wit, beauty, and intelligence.

"What time is it?", Susan questioned.

"Almost time to go to sleep, the professor has about three minutes left, to get her ass to class", Nicholas said wryly.   

"Sweet.", Susan replied.

Daniella glanced at the clock in the lobby. Knowing there was a couple of minutes, maybe seconds, left for her to get to class.  What a horrible first impression it would be if she missed class.  She began to run down the hall in fear she was not going to make it.

"Let's begin the count down!", exclaimed Nicholas.

Daniella felt like a fool running down the hall like a bat out of hell. Not paying any attention to her surroundings she nearly ran into her boss, Mr. Howard.

"Oh my, Mr. Howard, I am so so sorry", Daniella sighed.

Before he could even get a word out of his mouth, she was off.

Monday Again!

Marjorie poured the hot water in her favorite dainty tea cup, perfectly. One teaspoon, she thought to herself.  I could only have one teaspoon of sugar.  Marjorie was always doing everything so perfect. If the soap was out of place in the bathroom, the world would end.

The only thing that was not completely exact about Marjorie was her weight. She was skinny and frail as a teen.  In fact, she hated the old pictures she  had come across last week.  Her nephew said her face looked like a ghost; a scary white ghost, with dark hair and pale skin, to be exact.

Marjorie reminisced about last Thursday's visit with Timmy.

****Timmy burst out laughing, "Aunt Marjorie, you look scary!"***

God, how I love that kid, Marjorie thought to herself.

Her mother Helen, would routinely remind her about how unhealthy and plump she looked.  It was actually more of a haunting than a reminder.  Helen had a horrible habit of living in the past and comparing her grown daughters to what she had thought of as, successful individuals.

Daniella ran into the kitchen stumbling over her own black high-heel designer shoes.  The night before, Daniella sat at the kitchen table, putting together a last minute lecture.  Uncomfortable from dancing the night away, she carelessly flung her shoes.

"Holy, shit!" Daniella exclaimed.

"I am going to be so late, for my first class" Daniella, pouted.

"The students will leave!" she, cried.

Marjorie smirked, "Daniella, you shouldn't stay out so late on a school-night".

Daniella replied, "Sunday night, is not an official school night, Marjorie!"

Daniella grabbed a cup of coffee spilling sugar all over the place.

Marjorie and Daniella were sisters and the best of friends, as well.