Grace awoke, again. Rolling over, she looked sadly at the space Oliver usually occupied. She sighed, wrapping her arms around his pillow and inhaling the scent of his cologne and expensive cigars. He had been gone for two days, and she had not been able to sleep without him beside her. She looked over at the clock, which read 3:34. She would never get back to sleep now. Maybe she would go check on Annie and then go get something to eat…
Oliver sat in bed, not able to sleep. He missed Grace, the way she molded to his body while they slept, the way her hair smelled of roses, and the soft snoring she made early in the morning. He missed Annie, too. He missed how she was always happy, no matter what happened, and the way she bounded into the dining room every morning for breakfast. He lay down and tried to get to sleep, but it was just not going to work.
Annie was sleeping peacefully, Sandy sleeping peacefully beside her. Grace tucked the covers up around Annie, and smoothed her hair back as she kissed her on the forehead. She quietly snuck out of her room and headed down to the kitchen. She was quite hungry for a peanut butter sandwich, and didn't have the heart to wake Mrs. Pugh to make her one. But when she got downstairs, she found Mrs. Pugh already there.
"Oh, Mrs. Pugh." Grace began, stopping in the doorway. "What are you doing up so early in the morning?"
"Mrs. Warbucks, I should be…" She started.
"Please, Mrs. Pugh, just call me Grace."
"Grace, I should be asking you the same question. You need your sleep." She said, walking over to Grace and leading her over to the table. Sitting down, Grace answered,
"I couldn't sleep. I miss Oliver, and I am hungry for a peanut butter sandwich."
"I'll make you one dear." Mrs. Pugh answered, as she set about getting out the bread and peanut butter.
"Well, why are you up so early, Mrs. Pugh?"
"I just couldn't sleep, and thought I could use a pot of tea."
Grace watched as she set in front of her a peanut butter sandwich, and a cup of tea. Mrs. Pugh sat down on the other side of the table, sipping on her own cup of tea. Grace bit hungrily into her sandwich. She couldn't wait for Oliver to come home. The house seemed so big and empty without him, even with all the servants and Annie. She finished her sandwich and started her tea, which had now cooled off considerably. Mrs. Pugh studied her carefully, and then said softly,
"Don't worry, dear. He will be back sooner than you think." And with that, she set her cup in the sink, and headed off to bed again.
Grace sat in the kitchen until her eyelids began to droop. Looking up at the clock, she realized it was 4:30, and she should at least try to get some semblance of sleep. She placed her plate and cup in the sink next to Mrs. Pugh's, and headed off to her empty bed. Only five more days till his return.