Heartbreaker - Episode 1

Apples And Jewels

I took the metro and then walked back home. On the street outside I found Abigail, as always. She was a sweet single-mother, trying to make ends meet by selling stuff at the street corner. She was so nice to me, always made my day when talking to her.

"Hey Abigail. How's business?" I said, fondling her merchandise. She had a foldable stand with hand-painted apple-shaped boxes on it.

"Same old. I think I sold one today. Some guy traded me for a hot dog," she said, smiling wide.

I turned my pockets over for spare change, and said, "Hey, I need another for my... Uh, jewelry."

She took the change and eyed me in disbelief. "Uh huh. Right. The jewelry you never seem to wear."

I clicked my tongue and flashed my best smile at her. "That's why I need places to store them!"

Abigail took out an apple from her bag and gave it to me. It had nice swirls and bright colours on it.

"Oh, you made another just for me? You always know what I like Abby. It's perfect," I said.

"So, what's new," Abigail asked.

"I got fired," I said casually.

Abigail tried to put the coins back in my jacket pocket.

"Oh, don't worry," I said nodding uncontrollably and gently pushing her away. "I got another gig, phone... uh... Sales! I'm getting paid tomorrow."

She shook her head slightly. "They better. Well, you know where to find me."

"Sure do!" I said, holding the apple like a present. Then I got back home.

Miserable. Home was pure misery. It's not supposed to feel like that, is it? Cheap, small and dark. Not that I needed more space or anything, I didn't have any hobbies that required it.

I crumpled my newest layoff paper and put it in the apple Abby gave me. I lovingly put it on my shelf, next to the rest of the apple-shaped boxes from her. The first one was artistic but with muted colours, the next ones were all in the same style but with neon chromatic overdose. I guess Abigail had seen my wardrobe and guessed accordingly. She was spot on.

Still, it would be nice if all those apples were edible.

I opened my fridge, sighed at the contents, or their lack thereof, and shut it closed again.

I sank in my sofa and called Harmony. "Hey! Just wanted to see how things are."

"What do you care," Harmony said coldly. I could hear the distinct sound of duct tape as she pulled it from the roll.

"You can come stay at my place," I said hopefully.

There was a pause. No duct tape sounds, just a sigh.

"Hey," I said softly. We're friends, you don't even need to ask, just come..."

"No we're not," Harmony interrupted. "I thought we were, I kept finding excuses for you all these years but... No. We're not friends any more, Eris."

And then my best friend hung up on me.

I just sat there, staring at the phone as my tears fell.

Good job, Eris. Nice one. Push away one of the two friends you have in the whole world.