OUR DEMONS

         “It’s — it’s not that I don’t want to sleep it’s that I can’t.” Every time she closed her eyes all she saw was her captures, the bars and the cold concrete floor as they fed from her. The image of it all brought on a wave of nausea and she knew it wouldn’t be long before she would need something more than coffee or tea. “Coffee, I should have thought of that. Even if I may need something a lot stronger. Still, don’t know until you try right? It’s food for thought, thanks. ”

“Oh, alright -- well then I guess your bet bet is to have something stronger like you said.” The male nodded, keeping her answer in mind though. “What’s your stance on energy drinks then? I mean, I’m not a fan but I’ve heard they work wonders.”

        “Then why not do something about the bickering, and take matters into your own hands? Two birds with one stone.”

“And risk having her set me on fire -- yeah I think I’ll just take the high road.”

“Getting your neighbors evicted isn’t worth getting caught in trouble for. Subtlety for sure, no one ever needs to know. I’m just hoping whatever you come up with works, cause you having to move wouldn’t be fun. Good, I’m in the mood to have someone else pour me drinks for a change. I’ll happily let you buy a couple. Any bar of choice? I’m good wherever as long as there’s food and alcohol. Come on.”

“Yeah, I’m probably too stubborn for that -- but stranger things have happened. I imagine it’s always nice to be the customer for a change, that is if I’m assuming correctly that you’re a bartender? I know this place about a block way. They have pretty decent specials. With a menu to match.”

               “Neither.” She answered absentmindedly, as she finished the final touches of shading. It wasn’t her best work, but it was a start and it had allowed her to step away from the storm that raged inside her head for a few hours. The thirst in her throat she had momentarily forgotten, until of course the first rays of sun peaked over the horizon, the harsh light of day bringing forth the thirst that had come to control her every waking movement. “Can’t sleep, can’t go home — guess I was hoping this would take me mind of things, allow me to sleep. I was wrong.”

Domingo wasn’t about to put his nose in anyone’s business. But he did though take note of it, with his age the male knew that being observant was always the best possibility. This being no situation short of that. “Well. Sounds like you need to find another alternative. I mean if you’re that set on not going to sleep. Coffee helps too unless you’re a tea kind of person. Then, you can scratch that off the list of possibilities.” 

        “Can’t fault the woman for having a sense of humor. Marriage has always been over rated, well before people were stupid enough to rush into it too soon. Sounds like your neighbors keep things interesting — the hell else would you have for entertainment if not them.”

“If I wanted entertainment -- I’m sure my means of finding it would be on TV. At least, in that instance I could turn it off. With their bickering, it’s more so a nuisance.”

“Don’t worry, your secret’s safe with me. And I hope it all works out in your favor. Though, I’ve gotta say, I don’t know if I should be offended that you believe I’d ever go down as an accessory. It’s always about not getting caught. Nah, I’ve got the time. I’d hate to see you lose your mind stuck at home. How about a drink?” 

“You never know with some people these days, but thanks for the heads up. You’re right though, being subtle is always key. Sounds like the best thing I’ve heard all day. Lead the way and I’ll show my gratitude with buying the first round or two.”

“I mean she sounds a little sloppy still, that’s for sure. But at least she knows how to have fun with. I’d only start to worry if she actually starts setting shit on fire. In which that case, I suggest you run but get it on camera first because let’s be real, anything for the ‘gram. No, actually, I’m lucky there. Well, I mean, my neighbors do get it on pretty often but that’s more of me seeing it than hearing it. My apartment window looks right into there’s and it’s like the NSFW version of Rear Window.”

“Yeah, I’m sure that would be trending in no time. Let’s hope it doesn’t have to resort to that. The husband would be wise to just not allow her to drink because whatever wine she was knocking back, obviously sparks something in her and definitely not for the better. Sounds to me like you need to invest in some blinds or leave a casual note to say they should pay for it because they go at it like bunnies and they’re beginning to scar you from the mess.”

“Ha! That’s probably the funniest thing I’ve heard all day. Sounds to me like you got some pretty dope neighbors. At least you got them, though and not the ones who you’re always listening to bone or the meth-lab neighbors where any day now they can blow their basement out and maybe your place with it.”

“You’re welcome then. I must admit, I was impressed with how comical she was. Most drunks are just sloppy. Oh, I take it you’re speaking from experience? If so I guess I have a reason to be thankful it’s only a fighting married couple.”

“I figured. I meant unhealthy as in the relationship as a whole, so ridiculous crying is to be expected. It just sounds like you’re in a real need of new neighbors. Unfortunately, I can’t help much with that but I can hang out and keep you away for a bit because it sounds like a pretty miserable time.”

“Yeah, I think I need to come up with a master plan of getting them evicted but you might want to pretend you didn’t hear that. Since that would make you an accessory and all. I wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t, more to do in this weather then just stand around aimlessly.”

“Well that’s a new one.. Sounds.. unhealthy. Those people are all a kind of their own. Though, thinking about it, it’s one of the funnier attempts at staying together that I’ve heard of. I will admit that.” 

“If you thought that was unhealthy -- the worst was yet to come. The crying. I swear that woman has some pipes on her. That was hours ago and a part of me is still passing time, because hearing those sobs again might just make me go insane.”

“Holy shit that’s a good one”, Quinn almost spit out, fighting to keep her drink of beer from fizzing back out of her nose. “I’m going to have to remember that one for some alternate reality I get married. Though, it would be playfully done and not in a total wine black out argument.”

“Yeah. I must admit, that line was pretty clever. Though I’m sure the husband will be hiding or pouring out all the wine bottles from now on after that. I didn’t hear a fire alarm go off either--so maybe the certificate still remains in tact.”