It was shitting down rain again. Not entirely unusual for Chicago, but it made a crappy walk to the Pizza Shop. Kathleen was on close, so naturally I'd go and wait until she was done, and walk us both home. Only decent part of it all was that she'd get to take home whatever was left at the end of the night. I thanked whatever entity allowed us to get a lukewarm meal nearly every night. We weren't starving, but there were nights that we went to bed with rumbling stomachs.

I'd done my best to try and find side work where I could, but the city wasn't particularly forgiving for an ex-con. After the new Mayor'd been elected they'd made a decisive effort to crack down on every little bit of dirt they could find. There had been a lot of talk about turning Chicago into the shining jewel of the north.

A deep chuckle ran through me, yeah, fuck that. Polish a turd all you want, at the end of the day, shit still stank . Sure, there were more police on the street, but rent was high, infrastructure was crumbling, businesses were dropping left and right. People were knee deep in a river of bullshit.

Saffarti's sat on the end of a street, a busy corner that left the resturant uncharacteristically empty. Most of the time that meant the tip jar was uncharacteristically empty. Saffarti's hadn't been considered decent food since the seventies, back when the fryers had lead in them, and it didn't matter if you could pass a health and safety test. Said test currently hung on the door, a C-. The lowest score you could get and still run an establishment.

The inside of a place was testament to the term 'Fallen Dynasty.' The walls were yellowed with years of cigarette smoke and grease. Old newspaper clippings littered the walls from when notable celebs such as Cher, The Beatles, and Michael Jackson had eaten here. Old booths with dusty and cracked stained glass lamps hung over booths with torn pleather, and cracked plastic.

What a depressing place. The resturant stretched until it hit a wall of white tile, with a single small service window. Kathleen currently slaved away under said window, under the heat lamps that had been burning since before either of us were born. Black hair plastered to her face, a scowl on her face that promised pain.

"Hey, c'mon get out here." Silence answered me, she didn't even bother to look up.

"Seriously, don't give me the silent treatment shit, I'm tired and ready to go home."

"Then fucking go home and I'll meet you there, asshole! I'm still working!"

Kathleen's voice was a snarl, and her hands pounded on the counter. I hated when she got like this.

"Hey, don't get snappy with me brat! You're the one who needs a fucking chaperone to and from the house!"

"Fuck off dude. Seriously. I don't need your shit tonight. Just fucking... go fucking wait outside. I need to close."

That I had no problems with. At least I could smoke outside. Only problem was the overhang they used to use for outdoor seating was ripped and torn to shreds, letting the rain pelt me uninhibited.

I didn't count the minutes, only the drags as I went through a quarter of a pack, watching cars haphazardly fly by. Hell, maybe if I was lucky I'd get to see some moron crash. Was about the only decent free entertainment you could find in the city anymore.

Equally Kathleen stumbled out, stinking of grease and cheese. A completely deplorable scent. I didn't bother asking about the rest of her day, chances were she didn't want to talk about it anyhow.

I started us off on the walk, Kathleen trailing slightly behind as I lit another cigarette. Twenty minute walk home. The first ten would be on abject silence, and the second half...

"Sorry I got shitty with you," she muttered, thrusting her hands in her pockets.

I shrugged aimlessly, " 's fine. I'm used to it."

More silence.

"Got class tomorrow?"

Her snort confirmed for me. Shame our parents weren't still around. Taking care of you was a real pain in the ass.

Enjoy a prompt sort of inspired (but not really) by Coffin of Andy and Leyley. What can I say? I enjoy a toxic brother and sister dynamic.

Would love to chat and share a few ideas with folks that enjoy something of a slow burn, and a longer term story about poverty, lust, recovery, and maybe a bit of danger to tie it all together!

Hope everyone has an excellent Friday!