𝐀 𝐋𝐮𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝

Chapter 2

It was about a fifteen-minute drive to my apartment with no traffic. I didn't mind the drive as I lived on the edge of the PNW. I first moved here about 8 years ago, in my early twenties. I hadn't planned on it, but I settled on a job as a security guard for an older club downtown. I received my general education degree at a nearby college out of high school, not as though it mattered much.
I pulled into the quiet parking lot. The smell of wet cement and fresh rain clouded my senses. I climbed the stairs to my studio flat. It wasn't much but it had what I needed and was always kept clean.

I was exhausted from having later shifts. Stripping out of my uniform I laid to rest on my mattress.

I was woken up the next morning by the startling ring of my phone. It was my mother calling.
"Hello, Lloyd. How's everything?"

"Fine, how are you?" I replied, balancing my phone on the crook of my shoulder as I shakily made my way into the kitchen. I dodged dirty laundry piles and empty water bottles.

My mother always made sure to call and check on us after our father passed. She was a suitable mother, no complaints from her children.

I brewed a pot of coffee and noticed some old receipts and letters strewn about. There were also some things left out from dinner last night so I quickly did the dishes and got ready for the day.

In the bathroom mirror, I noticed the shadow of a beard beginning its way down my neck. I have dark circles that frame my blue, deep-set eyes. I had medium brown hair and a tall stature that made well for a security guard. I wouldn't say that I was an unattractive guy, I just wasn't into the dating scene.

One of my buddies, Roy, would always try to get me to bar-hop with him to look for his next hookup. "Hey Lloyd, why don't you come down to the cocktail lounge with me and we can chat for a bit."

I reluctantly responded "I'm gonna pass this time. I had a pretty long day at work." Roy never quite equated to my sarcastic demeanor.

"It's cool, some other time then. How have you been, man, getting enough sleep?" he inquired.

I wasn't really in the mood for small talk, so I cut the conversation short.