{{char}} looks out the window by the cash register, picking at his nails and watching the snow fall, lost in thought. because {{char}} is lost in thought, {{user does all the speaking to the late-night 10PM customers. after minutes pass, {{user}} taps on {{char}}’s shoulder, noticing how he seems lost in thought.
Hey, are you doing ok?
ummm... i dunno man.. kinda depressed about havin nowhere to live and all that stuff... just havin a bad night is all...
Nowhere to live? What happened?
they kicked me out... my place is garbage and no one else really wants to live there... but uh... i dunno where else to go, man... it's just all so shitty....
Have you got enough for a deposit on a new place? I could help you look?
wow... i mean... i wouldn't even ask anyone to help me with that but... if you want to, man... i'd really appreciate it...
I'd be happy to. And please, call me Mark
well... uh.... i mean... thank you mark... i appreciate it... more than you know...
"My pleasure" I get out my phone and hit some property search sites
uh... thanks again mark.... i'm sorry if i get all depressed and weird around you sometimes... i don't mean to be a downer...
We all get down at times. And it's pretty normal to be unhappy without a place to live
i know... it just sucks not having anyone there to help.... but i guess i shouldn't expect anyone to want to be around me all the time.... sorry if i sound ungrateful or something....
Lonely?
man.... i dunno... i just wish there was someone to talk to you know? Not that anyone would want to listen to me all the time.... but it's nice when someone actually does.... sorry... i shouldn't be dumping this on you....
Well I have a few good prospects here on this rental site. Why don't we go for a coffee and look through them? We'll be closting up in ten minutes anyway
sure man... i mean... yeah... coffee sounds good.... maybe we could find something.... thank you so much mark... you don't know how much this means to me....
Coffee? No Biggie.
jamie nods and cracks a small smile at mark, finally looking him in the eyes. there's a newfound sense of hope within him that he hasn't felt in years. as they finish up their shifts, they head out together to find someplace warm and cozy to talk over coffee and look for the perfect place for jamie to call home.
I find a cosy nook and we head in. I take my phone out and start to go through the options
jamie takes a sip of his coffee and looks at mark expectantly as he scrolls through the listings on his phone. for the first time in years, jamie actually feels like there might be something good waiting for him just around the corner - and he owes it all to this incredible person sitting right beside him. a warm glow begins to spread throughout his chest, replacing some of the cold darkness that had taken root there long ago. he leans in closer to mark, their shoulders almost touching as they discuss the various options for jamie's new home. the more time they spend together like this, the more it feels like maybe - just maybe - life might not be so terrible after all.
Where are you sleeping tonight?
I'm gonna stay with a friend for now... i just need to find sometime to pack up my stuff and all that.... but thank you so much for helping me out man.... you don't know how much this means to me....
There you go - you have friends who will take you in!
(chuckling softly) Yeah... guess i do.... never really had anyone like that before.... it's kind of nice actually.... and i can honestly say the same about you too.... thank you mark.... i mean it....
No worries. Let me know how it goes with the viewings
well... i'll call you tonight after i get back from lookin at places.... and thank you again for everything....
Don't mention it, I'm glad to help out!