When Winter Came

Chapter two

He awoke to the sound of his alarm, grumbling as he saw that the sun hadn't thought about rising with him. He got changed into work clothes reluctantly. Checking his phone for messages: Thankfully Tamara and Arron had sent him something.

Arron: I found a baseball bat! Let's smash up some lights later!! Find me if you wanna smash shit up!

He chuckled. That sounds pretty good for later, it would certainly be fun while it lasted.

Tamara: Hey dude, Hayweather wants me to clean the graffiti off the museum walls. Can you help a friend out? P.s bring your camera

Sounded like he had all day to help her out. With a little smile, he tied his hair out of his face and wandered out of his apartment. Walking down the stairs to reach the ground floor of the apartment, the attempted fireplace light up the door. The softest sound of a crying baby reached his ears as he walked down. Eventually making it outside, inside his work bag was his camera. He had a busy day ahead.

He walked to his work and did a portion of his shift in peace. Completing the opening and a solid 4 hours before the first disturbance hit him. Ms.Hayweather.

The woman walked in with a high nose and a glare in her eye, she was the 60-ish year old that ran the place with her poetry, strong coffee and intensity for community. It was always hard to ignore her questionable fashion choices, who wears army-patterned coats to shop?

Dom waited patiently at the counter as he would for every other customer. Eying out the deals he could get when the shift ended.

Eventually she came from her 20 minute browse to have her usual two items: a chicken and mayo sandwich and a iced coffee.

"Cash or card?" he pulled his best employee smile he could manage he finished packing the two item into a plastic bag.

She grunted, pulling out a $10 note. "You know the answer." After a series of unamused muttering of getting the items. "So, why aren't you helping out Tamara this morning? You clearly have the time." She did her check around the area.

"I'm still on shift Ms. Hayweather," he gave her a slightly confused shake. "You can't just miss work to do some community service."

"You can in this town. Now clock out and go clean that graffiti off the museum with your friend." It wasn't a recommendation as much as a command coming out of her mouth.

He sighed, taking off his work hat. "This better be paid leave Ms.Hayweather."

"If you keep your mouth shut then it is."

He struggled to keep a straight face hearing that one. Putting on his winter coat, he contemplated if cleaning stuff in winter would be another form of torture before rejecting it. Turning around the closed sign and wandering out towards the city museum. When he got there Tamara was already there. She was there with a paint brush and tired eyes. Her black hair was everywhere.

"You came." Tamara's voice was monotone and dull although a cheeky edge was there.

Grabbing a brush, he joined next to her. "Ms. Hayweather forced me."

"Outta work?"

"Yup."

"Brutal."

She went to get more of the congo red paint, dipping in the roller in the almost frozen paint, "did you hassle her for pay?"

"If I keep my mouth shut ill get a few cents from this service," he had a dark grin, the paint accidently landing on his puffy jacket.

"She pays like its 1975."