LOVE IN THE SHADOWS..

was leaving the workplace. In this state, nobody is hiring unless I want a job at the min

with my partner, I told my parents I would find a job supporting me. I wa

to move in with him. He had a friend who lived in a "share house" where several people rented apartments to one another's f

d assumed that my boyfriend would move in with me. Still, he said it was only because he had already used tuition to co

strian walkways when I walked down the downtown sidewalk. I discovered the hard way that cyclist

g a wide-bodied person on the sidewalk. He had hunched shoulders. They passed t

few steps. "Please give me a little money to get

to a pair of black -colored high-rise stylish trousers I bor

h in my pocket, and my phone is in a transparent case with my license, f

ered the man some crumpled bills, saying, "I need half of it to refill my bus pass, b

ld spend the few dollars I offered. I glanced at his worn-out clothes

in the middle of the sidewalk, angered people, but that's unfo

i as I gave him the last of my food. The man seemed genuinely apprecia

to us abruptly cut him off, he

cigarette on the ground, "This is my brother's restaurant; we'

s dressed in a fitting suit. Although the muscles are hidden, the build is visible. Hi

reciation. The business-casual man curtly nodded. His face was expressionless. He continued to lean into the sid

drawn during lunch rush hours, and the building was an or

rongly Italian, bu

, you may assume he is entirely uninterested. When they came to you, they bu

his man. He pushed off the wall and moved into my path in one step. His vo

it-wearing man. He probably intended to hold me responsible if the homeless m

ss window. It appeared to be a brick building from the exterior, with squared windows covered in heavy burgu

t, booth seating is available along the left-hand wall be

the back right corner. With their tribute to Italy's motherland, the walls gave

any-colored wood underneath since there were no tablecloths. The stre

more expensive liquor items, the bar was constructed of the same dar

e homeless man, but he had only pulled out my chair. The suit-clad man exited via those doors and into the back of the busine

paused and peered at his own hands. He did not shake my hand aft

I estimate that guy is in his 70s or 80s. When we sat dow

ime, he shook my hand. There was a slight ste

the suit. Each of us was given one by him. Since I am trying to save money, I consume much less h

.this doesn't taste like jarred sauce." H

little glass from behind the bar where we were seated. I chose to

e. I looked at myself from below. Oh, I'm grateful. In reality, I'm seeking a job. I explained my appea

refer not to talk about personal matters. I was stopped short by

As he skimmed the various bottles, his hand stopped, and when he located the one he

k, dark hair was long enough to be ruffled at the top but

case, to merit that notion. The word "tame" didn't feel quite right to me, even though he rarely talked an

an, but with a little darker refinement. I c

a man. Anyhow, it was my knee, and it was seriously damaged. I visited some lousy state-employed doctors that practice medicine, and they only threw me

w. He moaned, "I got hooked." He finished his lunch while returning his attention to his pl

ad a book, possibly for his brother's restaurant, while

ar's high counter. Even worried. "Down near Sullivan Square, there is the suboxone clinic. I'm attemp

drug dependence,

he told me such intimate details, so I maint

hile I am homeless and drug-addicted, they won't talk to me. They have stated th

ith you, but I genuinely think you have a decent

andchildren, it's for their help. I thought

pay attention to me if I'm your guardian angel. Get sober, regain your family, and often, if you're getting sober via the state

t this world eat you alive." He attempted to grab the suit-clad man's attention by saying, "Sir...thank you f

and got to his feet. He was intending to go, I knew. I stood up since it seemed unusual to me to be sta

I scowled at him. I said, "You're bossy," but I had already retracted the stool to complete my meal. I

ause of that. Strangely, I defended myself. I don't know why I should give a damn what this d

uaranteed," he said in his harsh voice, yet he could make his pace soun

his blue gaze back to me. I quickly glanced at my plate and grabbed anoth

he city," more than he aske

und. He leaned both hands on the bar and glared at me. And those who will take advantage

ng older, but not enoug

adpanned. This man was incredibly tall, so even though I was seated on a high stool, he continued to look

f his corded muscles were hidden from me by his cleanly

doesn't appear to enjoy making mistakes. Instead of responding, he licked his lips and

ir became so dense that it was smotherin