Other than Gladys, they had not made any effort to get to know their other neighbours. Ben’s days were mostly filled with writing, drinking, and applying for the occasional job. With the amount of money he had left, there was no way he could sustain his current lifestyle, and he knew it. He tried not to think about it, but Kyle, the more responsible one, kept insisting he develop a plan. After a long day of writing, Ben was exhausted. His face carried the marks of a depressed alcoholic. His hygiene was poor and he looked like he was in rough shape. Despite his appearance, however, he was still happier than he had been in Cold Lake. Similarly, Kyle had been working all day. It was a little after eleven o’clock at night when he stepped through the door. He noticed Ben still sitting in the same spot he always sat — at the computer in the dining room. It looked like Ben had not showered or eaten anything all day, which caused Kyle to be concerned. “Hey, man,” Kyle said, hanging his jacket on a nearby hook.
