Broken, not Shattered

Unspoken

She woke to the sounds of shouting. She groaned as she pulled herself out of her empty bed. She was glad she had the day off, lack of sleep was never good around potential wounded animals. She left the safety of her room and bypassed whatever was going on in the living room. She pushed into the bathroom and emptied her bladder. She washed her hands and splashed water on her face. Looking at her face in the mirror, Sophie frowned, she definitely needed more sleep.

She took a deep breath and made her way out of the bathroom and towards the noisy living room. She watched a slightly limping Joker pace her living room floor. She didn't even want to know what was causing this madman to feel the need to pace. She tuned her back to him and moved to brew a pot of coffee. She felt silly watching it drip into the glass carafe, but she couldn't help herself, she needed the liquid energy and the distraction. She readied her cup and pulled the creamer from the fridge. Once she poured her cup, she took that first sip and let out a big sigh. She grabbed a packet of pop-tarts and sat at her table, watching Joker rage in the kitchen.

Joker was growling at the phone, grumbling about something. The entire conversation came to a head, Joker ending the call and staring at his phone for a second. She nearly gasped out loud as he slammed the phone into the floor. The plastic pieces scattered across the floor.

"Bad news?" she guessed.

His head tilted, eyes cutting to hers. He held her gaze for several seconds, then physically waved her concern away with his hand. She smiled. Could she possibly be getting some sick kind of pleasure from his frustrations? Maybe. Feeling brave, she continued.

"What's the plan today?" She had to admit, she was curious.

He looked down at the floor and then back at her. "I was waiting for a call."

She did laugh out loud then. He looked almost regretful. With out his caked on, smear of make up, he looked all too human.

"Well, I can get you a prepaid phone. Will that help?"

He didn't answer, he just rolled his eyes. She finished her coffee and left the room to get dressed. She had woke up too early, but seeing his temper tantrum put her in such a good mood this morning. She moved back into the living room to see Joker gulping down coffee and watching TV.

"I'll be back. Any preference?"

"Cheap." he said finally looking at her.

She nodded and left, the corner store wasn't too far, she just walked it. It didn't take long and she was inside looking for the small electronics kiosk inside. She grabbed a small flip phone for less that twenty dollars and the cheapest airtime they had. She also grabbed a few easy to cook items from the shelves and moved to the checkout.

She paid with cash as usual and started the walk home with her items. On the way she loaded the phone and got it ready for use. By the time she got back to her place it was a fully functioning phone. She stepped inside and tossed the phone to Joker.

"It's all set up, charge it while you wait for your call." she moved to put the rest of her purchases up.

He opened the phone and sent a text message then plugged it in to charge while turning his attention back to the TV.

She smiled again. She liked him all grumpy. It seemed to calm down his incessant flirting and innuendoes. He was just a guy. Well, a bad guy. He was just a man. A man in a bad mood. She felt like she could handle that. Grumpy men seemed to be her comfort zone it would seem. She grabbed a bottle of water and flopped down on the couch next to him. He turned to look at her, then back to the screen.

She sipped her water, noticed he had finished his coffee and offered him a drink from her bottle. He drank without comment. She took the bottle back and set it down.