[For Billy]
Tony finishes the cigarette he'd bummed from Maxxie in the first part of the long, slow walk to Billy's. Hand-rolled and unfiltered, it's strong, with sharp smoke that scrapes up the passage from lungs to lips. He'd thought it would fortify or calm him, but it does neither, and when its gone, he has nothing to distract his hands or mind the rest of the way there. At one point he reaches habitually into his back pocket, only to remember that he stopped carrying his mobile months ago.
The GAE is quiet but for the murmur of the ocean, its residents tucking themselves in for the night. In the dark, Tony gives Billy's front door a brief rap with his knuckles and then pushes it open. There's a warm, golden glow inside, but he doesn't move from the threshold.
The GAE is quiet but for the murmur of the ocean, its residents tucking themselves in for the night. In the dark, Tony gives Billy's front door a brief rap with his knuckles and then pushes it open. There's a warm, golden glow inside, but he doesn't move from the threshold.