The credits and eerie music began to play, and I scowled at the empty mug of coffee on the carpet next to me. My fridge contained only a moldy jar of cheese dip, ketchup, and two cans of Red Bull. Phaedra had given me a used coffee maker, but I didn’t have any coffee or sugar … or water if I couldn’t afford the bill. I cringed, thinking about having to go downstairs to use the toilet. I would have to clean that restroom on occasion, and although I made a conscious effort not to be a snob about most things, public restrooms made my skin crawl. I stood up and made my way downstairs to the kitchen. The loud chatter of customers instantly infiltrated my head, especially the squeals and cries of children. They always seemed to hit an octave that stood out to me, grinding inside my brain like a metal fork on a plate. The water splashed onto my T-shirt as I rinsed the mug. Then I put it into one of three dishwashers. Hector smiled at me as he rounded the corner, wiping his hands on his apron.
