The Broken Pieces

of murky brown, the flooring, the walls, the doors, even the decorations. The elevator had an out of order sign on it. Eva wondered how long it had

nterior was no better than the outside, in some ways it was even worse. The floor was heavil

n the wall, the kind that only came from someone punching it. One of the

gone on, but seeing the state of apartment Eva could guess what had gone on there. Seeing how haggard her mother looked it made Eva

l but I'm sure you'll make due." Aurora

said. "I really

and left Eva

ces of her there. The dresser was painted pink, the bedspread was a pink cheetah

nto another. There was a small closet, and disturbingly the door had seemingly been ripped off. Aurora

sure how to approach the subject though, without offending her. Aurora was proud, and did not accept charity, e

water stain. The place was depressing, and the contrast to her old comfortable house was stark. Sh

it won't be so bad. Without bothering to change her close of get u

ment. She had a couple of job interviews lined up, but they weren't until later in the week. Eva w

d her key before leaving. Caught up in her own thoughts Eva was not pay

ered. "I'm sorry I was

," the per

was holes in the armpits of his shirt, the knees of his jeans were worn down, and his boots were dirty and scuffed. Hi

Aurora's daug

t name. She didn't want Rob's name, but she didn'

aking her hand. "I live next door, if you need an

a said. "I'll k

in," David told her. "I think she's bee

. It was funny that Aurora was able to expre

t. Still, I think you should know. It might make you feel a

too bad,"

have to be nice about it. It's a slum,

ut it's better than where

David said. "It's easy to just

like I wanted it to," Eva sighed.

on. She hoped that she hadn't given many details. David was clearly too

David offered. "get you familiar with the place. Th

" Eva said. "I'll t

ut I have Friday to Sunday off," he said.

alized that for the first time in a months she felt even a little happy. For a few moments she wasn't p