I scrubbed and kept scrubbing harder and harder, but the damn stain wouldn't go away. I can't believe my life has come down to cleaning the checkout at this stupid convenience store. I work everywhere, all the time, just to make ends meet. What a miserable life, right? Unfortunately, even if I live in a filthy hovel, I have to pay the rent, or that rich asshole will kick me out. He raised the price of that hole solely and exclusively because he knows I could never afford better, so I'm forced to find the money to pay for it. On the weekends, I work in this convenience store, but during the week, I try to scrape together some money here and there. I work as a package mover for neighborhood removals, as a cleaner for anyone who needs it, as a pizza delivery man on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Although now I can't do that job anymore since they also stole my bike. But see if this stain comes off!
<< Tristan! Can we know what the fuck you're doing!? >>
<< Mr. Smith! I was trying to remove this stain from the box. I know you don't like dirt >> the boy exclaimed, jumping to his feet as if he were at attention.
<< But what should I do with you... good for nothing! Give me a hand with the customers instead! Actually, I'll take care of it. Go... yes, go move the last deliveries to the warehouse and compile the inventory. And don't make a mistake like last time, or I'll take your head off! >>
<< Sure, Mr. Smith. I'll be right there >> Tristan answered as he approached the warehouse door.
<< What a piece of shit! He even dares to say that after all these years I'm a do-nothing! What courage... but I know that deep down he loves me. If he hadn't been here, six years ago, I would have stayed on the street without a job or a place to stay >>
Tristan began sorting through the packages of the latest supply, noting everything carefully in the inventory so as not to make mistakes. Some packages weighed a lot, so he helped himself with a forklift that Mr. Smith had bought. He was a boy with wavy, not-too-long brown hair, eyes as blue as the clear sky in spring, and a serious and elusive gaze. He had a slight unkempt beard. He was 175cm tall and quite fit thanks to the multitude of mostly physical jobs he held. He had a large scar on the back of his right hand due to an accident when he was very small. Even though Tristan was breaking his back trying to always pay the rent on time, he was two months behind. He had also increased the amount of work, ending up working 15 hours a day, but all this was not enough to cover all the necessary expenses. Although he often complained about his life and his conditions, Tristan never gave up and continued to give his best, as his mother had taught him.
"Ok, these fries should be the last. Finished inventory."
Looking at his watch, the boy noticed that it was almost closing time, so he took off his apron and went back to the register to see if Mr. Smith could use a hand with the cleaning. The convenience store was closing, it had its shutter halfway down, and the sign on the window pane turned to "closed." It was a gloomy day outside, with much rainfall. The pouring rain fell on the asphalt of New York, as if to symbolize a constant and inexorable cry. People walked hastily.
<< Mr. Smith, do you want me to help you with the cleaning? >>
<< No, boy. That's enough for today. You can go home. It's past 8. Are you done with the inventory? >>
<< Yes, sir. I have rearranged the supplies and filed everything. I placed the papers on the table at the entrance to the warehouse. Find everything sorted alphabetically >>
<< Well, thank you. Sorry if I was a little harsh earlier. You too know that the stress at the end of the day is no small thing. You give me a big hand. I hope you can continue like this >>
<< Honestly, sir, I can't afford not to work. You know I need money to pay the rent >> Tristan answered, turning his head away.
<< Yeah, I know you're very busy. Your mother would be proud of you >> said Mr. Smith, lowering his head.
<< Then... if I have nothing else to do, I'll go. See you tomorrow morning >> exclaimed the boy, taking the jacket from the coat hanger at the entrance.
<< Alright, boy. See you tomorrow. 8.00 am sharp, don't be late, or I'll break your neck! >>
<< See you tomorrow, Mr. Smith >> Tristan replied, closing the door as he left.
Not having an umbrella, the rain constantly hit Tristan, wetting him. The boy tried to walk briskly, even though the house was only a handful of blocks from where he stood. As he walked, he could see the faces of countless people. Each of them had goals, anxieties, and fears. Each of those faces could tell the most unthinkable story. Although his tiredness was sometimes clearly visible on Tristan's face, the latter hated to show his weaknesses to others, always trying to mask them. When he got home, he immediately took off his wet clothes and placed them in a basket. He pulled on overalls with a t-shirt and checked what was in the fridge for dinner. Tristan lived in a gloomy and shabby one-room apartment. There was only one medium-sized window, so the lighting was always dim. The boy tried to turn on the lights as little as possible to save on bills. In the center of the room was a dirty old sofa on which Tristan slept. In fact, the studio did not have a bed, but only a sofa with an old cable TV in front of it. Behind it was an old-fashioned kitchen with a refrigerator beside it. There was no oven, only low-power gas stoves.
"I have two eggs left and a slice of bread. I have to buy something tomorrow, or else I won't go hungry" Tristan thought as he took the eggs out of the refrigerator.
After that, he took a black frying pan, heated it for 2 minutes, and threw the eggs into it, opening them. With a spatula, he turned them several times until they were cooked through, as he hated eating raw egg yolks. Once cooked, he placed the eggs on a green plate along with the slice of wholemeal bread. Sitting down on the couch, he turned on the TV to catch the latest news as he began to eat. He was so hungry that he ate it all in two minutes.
"Economic crisis, corruption, politics... is it possible that today's world is so disgusting?" thought the boy as the daily news scrolled through the news.
As Tristan lay back on the couch relaxing, his cell phone started ringing. With narrowed eyes, he didn't notice the name of the person who was calling him and answered.
<< Hello, who is it? >>
<< TRISTAAAAN! MY FRIEND, WHAT ARE YOU DOING!? >>
<< My God, Reece, why are you screaming like that... you broke my eardrum. I hear music. Are you at a party? >>
<< Sorry, my friend, the music is loud, and I didn't realize it hahaha! Anyway, yes, I'm at Sarah's birthday party. Do you remember her? She's that beautiful hottie from my course, the blonde! You should see what a tight dress she's wearing tonight >>
<< You're always the usual, huh? >> Tristan replied with a slight smile on his face.
<< Listen, friend, I don't feel well here. Will we see you tomorrow? If you want, you can come to the gym with me. You always work and you never have time to hang out with your old friends! >>
"He's right. It's been a month since I've seen him or Bruce. I should seriously start carving out some time for myself."
<< We can meet when I get off work, okay? Maybe I'll call Bruce too >>
<< Yes, all right. Bring the little nerd too! Dude, there are too many chicks here to talk. See you tomorrow! >>
<< See you tomorrow, Reece >>
After the phone call, Tristan threw himself back on the sofa, dropping dead weight from exhaustion.
"Seriously, what am I doing with my life? I work like a dog, and I can barely make ends meet. I don't have time for myself. I don't even have time to date a girl. Life feels so... empty."
As he thought, in the deathly silence of his one-room apartment and the sound of water dripping from the sink, Tristan's gaze fell on the photo of a woman who was standing on the piece of furniture in front of him. Getting up, he picked up the frame in which the photo had been placed and looked at it carefully. The photo depicted a very beautiful woman with fine and delicate features. She was dark-haired, with long straight hair, doe eyes, a big and sincere smile.
"Mom... what would you do in my place? You always knew what to say and when to say it. You were capable of solving any problem that arose in our life. It's been since you left that I find it hard to remember what it means to be happy. What should I do?"
The boy put the photo down carefully, then finally went to sleep.
The following morning, Tristan was rudely awakened by the garbage truck collecting trash at the base of the building. New York was very chaotic, and from the first light of dawn, it could be seen that the heart of the city had already begun to beat at full speed. Tristan didn't like living in New York. He considered it too big and messy by his standards. He has always wanted to travel and get to know new places and cultures. But without a penny in his pocket, all that remained was a beautiful dream.
Standing up and yawning deeply, he quickly brushed his teeth and then put on a pair of jeans with a sweatshirt. He hurriedly washed the dirty dishes from the night before before leaving for work.
"It's very cold" he thought as he left the house and closed the door of the building.
On his way to work, he stopped by a trusted kiosk to buy something to eat. Maximum budget? One dollar. He bought a not-too-big vanilla cookie and hurriedly ate it as he walked. Arriving in front of the convenience store, he noticed with surprise that the shutter was still down, even though it was 8 in the morning.
"What? Mr. Smith is never late for work. He's usually been inside for a while by now. He didn't even warn me. Maybe I should give him a ring."
He took out his cell phone and looked up the number in the address book. While he was distracted by looking at the phone screen, a man roughly bumped into him as he walked, causing him to drop his phone.
<< God! Dude, watch where you walk! >> Tristan said aloud as he picked up the phone from the ground.
<< Excuse me, I was absent-minded and didn't notice your presence. Maybe it broke? >>
Looking up, Tristan saw a very tall, well-dressed man. He wore a dark blue suit with a black tie, as well as a long gray coat and dark blue leather gloves. He had a well-lined face, and a square jaw. He had a long cigarette in his mouth and wore long black hair tied back in a ponytail.
<< No... don't worry, the cell phone is perfectly intact >>
<
"Although I didn't know him, he looked me straight in the eyes, and I felt a disarming pressure. What a strange feeling."
While Tristan was thinking about what had just happened, a call came in from Mr. Smith.
<< Hello, Mr. Smith? >>
<< Yes, Tristan, good morning! Unfortunately, I had a setback, and today I will be late. Feel free to take the morning off. See you after lunch. I'm sorry, but I can't pay you for the morning. See you later >> said the man, hanging up quickly.
"Forget it..." the boy thought, sighing slightly.
Tristan decided to call Bruce to see if he was busy. Having the morning free, he wanted to use it to disconnect from the daily routine.
<< Bruce? Where are you? >>
<< Ah, y-yes, Tristan, hello! I'm currently at university, but I just finished class. Do you need anything? >>
<< No, nothing, don't worry. I have the morning off. Would you like to have coffee? >>
<
<< Sure, see you at Lullaby. Do you remember where it is? >>
<< Y-yes, sure! S-see you there in 30 minutes >>
"Time off... feels good" thought Tristan as he walked towards the bar.
Arrived at his destination, he took a table and waited for Bruce. The Lullaby was a student bar, not too big but well organized. There was a long counter with many tables in front of it, equipped with electrical outlets for charging devices. The bar had free Wifi, so Tristan decided to read the latest news while he waited.
"Double homicide in Hell's Kitchen. The methods appear to be the same as those used for other murders that occurred this month. Hole similar to that of a bullet in the center of the forehead. Serial killer hypothesis is thought. New York police investigate, and the FBI."
"Well, a serial killer walking the streets of this city is the last thing I need."
After about 30 minutes of waiting, the door to the café opened, and Bruce joined Tristan at the table. Reece was with him too. Bruce was a 19-year-old boy, short and with messy dark hair. He had brown eyes and a mole above his right lip. He studied computer science at the university with honors. Reece, on the other hand, was quite the opposite. He was a tall, well-built 22-year-old, blond with green eyes. He had a double cut with a tuft and two small size earrings.
<< Hey, my friend! >> Reece exclaimed, throwing a hard slap on Tristan's back.
<< Reece! You're there too! I was convinced that we should meet in the evening >>
<< I met the little nerd on the bus, and he told me you had the morning off, so I decided to come too! >>
<< But you... don't you have lessons at this time? >> Tristan asked perplexed.
<< Ah, well here... no, the professor isn't here today! >> Reece answered with a hand on his head and an embarrassed expression.
<< Y-you're still the same >> Bruce exclaimed, collectively causing the trio to laugh.
Although they were all very different from each other, the three boys loved each other sincerely. They had grown up together and had become like brothers to Tristan. He met Bruce at the age of 10, at school. Reece, on the other hand, at that age was known to be the neighborhood bully, but he stopped once he met the two boys, who straightened him out a bit.
<< So my friend, why aren't you at work? >> Reece asked while sipping a cup of coffee.
<< This morning, Mr. Smith had problems and didn't come to open the shop. So he gave me the morning off. Not paid, of course >>
<< W-what bad luck. He already pays you l-crap for all the l-work you do. D-he should be more grateful towards you >> Bruce replied.
<< Yeah, but you know well that if he hadn't been there, I'd be in the middle of the road now. I've been working since I was 16, and the convenience store is the only steady job I've ever had. I can only thank Mr. Smith for what he has done for me over the years >>
<< Yo, friends! I have an idea! >> Reece exclaimed aloud, putting his arms around the necks of the two boys.
<< Tonight, we go to the disco, all three of us to have fun! So we make Bruce lose his virginity, and Tristan finds a hot chick. How about that? >>
<< L-the disco? N-no, I don't like the c-like Reece environment, you know. P-then I have to study a lot tomorrow >>
<< You know that I also do not like the disco. We could go to dinner instead. How about a Mexican restaurant? >> Tristan replied.
<< Phew, what a bummer! You are the usual boring!>> the young blond boy exclaimed in a touchy tone.
<< Come on, don't you like Mexican? >> Tristan asked, putting a hand on his shoulder.
<< Of course, my friend, I love it! But the chicks ... are something else, you know? >>
<< Reece, you never change, do you? >> said Tristan smiling.
The three friends chatted for hours as if they hadn't seen each other in ages, and time passed quickly. The harmony that was created when they were together was something special. It was Tristan's only escape from the gray monotony that characterized his life, like a breath of fresh air. The boy looked at the time on the phone and realized it was time for lunch.
<< Guys, I'm sorry to leave you, but I have to go to work >> the boy exclaimed, getting up from his chair and putting on his jacket.
<< Oh man, how time flies in company! >> Reece replied as she rocked in her chair.
<< Fine, then I'm going. See you tonight >>
<< W-wait, Tristan! Y-are you sure you h-have the money for tonight? Y-I know it's none of my business...but we d-we don't want to e-a-trouble you >> exclaimed Bruce, looking at Reece with a nod of understanding.
<< Don't worry, I'm fine! >> Tristan replied with a smile on his face and giving the ok with his thumb.
<< Hey, you know that if you're in trouble, you can always ask us for a hand, right? >> Reece asked in a more serious tone.
<< Don't worry. The most important thing is to be together and have fun, right? >>
The three friends said goodbye, making an appointment in the evening. Coming out of the bar, Tristan looked almost reborn. Those few hours he spent chatting with Reece and Bruce had really helped lighten his day. With a brisk step, in the frenzy of the city, he headed for the convenience store. Another day's work awaited him.