InsaneJournal

“The girl just won't stop screaming"

Lorenzo wasn’t the type to eavesdrop on purpose. He'd only ducked into the small bodega to stock up on sugar, in particular juicy fruit and small little bit sized candy which were sure to ruin your teeth. He was fighting a war on two fronts. The first came in the passage of time; a daughter taken away from her mother, whose hope wilted away with every passing hour. The second came in fatigue which seemed to hang upon his body like a weight, grinding his every movement into the ground.

It was the second fact which troubled Lorenzo the most. If nothing else he was built for endurance. He was a strong six feet, built with a brawlers physique meant to carry muscle, while not hindering the athletic nature of his lean form. He’d known his own share of wounds, whether you counted the scars in the physical or mental. The fact fatigue weighed down his body found him questioning his once endless source of determination, physically even his body began its silent protest at being taxed. He had what some might consider pretty boy features, a fact which colored people’s perception, because in their eyes he didn't look the part. he was to good looking to take a punch let along stand his ground when the shit got ugly. Yet he had eyes as stone cold as any killer and then when you noticed the calm state of alert his body assumed, their preconceptions seemed to vanish. Lorenzo regarded the world around him with an almost dispassionate view, jaded and dangerous.

Perhaps the cashier had fallen silent for that reason alone, his own eyes catching Lorenzo’s as he passed on into a distant aisle. He could feel their eyes on him as he disappeared deeper into the bodega, returning moments later with a bottle soda and two bags of skittles and five packs of assorted gum.

Their conversation seemed to have begun again, gauging Lorenzo as someone best served and forgotten than worried over. It was the type of reception he was used to receiving. He wasn’t the kind you greeted with arms spread and in turn too much aggression was bound to bring more trouble than it was worth. Lorenzo, for his part was more concerned with where his wallet was, calloused right hand checking his pockets.

“So she was crying not screaming?" The customer asked as he peeled off bills from his wallet. “I wanted two packs, Menthol “.

The man behind the register turned to snatch another pack before tossing it down upon the counter and ringing up the total.

“$15.69...it sounded like screaming...turned into crying.”The smoker was searching his wallet for change now, putting down two quarters and a dime while he searched and picked at a collection of pennies in his palm.

“Well we know your apartment's not exactly the Hilton. Didn't they find someone OD'd a few weeks ago"

The cashier seemed to have a mile long stare, one Lorenzo was sure worked well in poker but seemed to reveal more frustration than anything else.

“7 days past due, smelled like it too. Worst smell to wake up too. The smell don't go away either, it’s like it’s soaked into the vents or something. “. He began pulling the coins and dollars to his side of the counter, counting them out into the drawer.” No I know the difference between screaming and crying. “The impish grin on the cashier's lips seemed to turn his heavy jowled expression into a face which belonged to someone's grandfather; he looked the part even down to the wisps of threadbare hair on his head.” Truth is told it sounded more like a girl. Just like my granddaughter when her mom lived her with us"

“Where’s your apartment? "

The two men seemed startled when he spoke, the deep grating sound of his voice breaking the conversational tones of their voices. The smoke buying customer in front of him turned to look over his shoulder at Lorenzo with a curious look, while the cashier's hand seemed to drift beneath the counter.

“I’ve got a friend whose daughter is missing”. Lorenzo wasn’t skilled as some when it came to slight as hand, appearance of twin hundred bills between his fingers seemed to clam the cashier. “So maybe we can help each other out?”