Chapter Text
”another day in Elmore..” Larry sighed as he got up for another day of mindless working. He had only slept about an hour tonight, he had had the night shift the night before.
The job he went to first was ”Tea n’ stuff”. He didn’t mind this job, there was barely anyone there anyway. Oh except Steve. He went there every day, at 07:30 sharp. Right before work at 08:00.
”Hi Laurence!” He exclaimed as he waved to Larry like he does every day. ”Hello. I already have your special ready for you, Steve.” He said as he gave Mr. Small his usual.. a green tea with almond milk and honey. ”Ah thank you, Laurence!” He took the tea with a smile and sat where he sat usually, closest to the checkout where Larry was.
He usually made smalltalk but this time he didn’t. Before Steve left, Larry asked him a question. ”Hey, Steve? Why didn’t you make any smalltalk today?” He asked. ”Well you just seemed very tired, you didn’t seem like you’d want me to ramble.” Steve answered. And honestly? Larry was, but, he did enjoy Steven’s rambling about protest, a fund raising he was doing or just something that had happened. He found it nice to listen to someone.
”Ehem. I may be tired but that doesn’t mean I won’t enjoy your talking; and if I wasn’t I just wouldn’t listen anyway… plus, I like your rambling.” Larry said, he felt a bit of embarrassment saying that out loud. ”Ah! Well, I’ll keep that in mind for next time. Good bye, Laurence!” Mr. Small blushed a bit from the comment and left the café and got into his van, Janice.
Larry sighed deeply and thought to himself ’Why did I say thaaaat?? Stupid Needlemeyer! Eeeugh!!’
The day after that was normal, switching through jobs, dealing with customers, yada yada. When he finally got home, thinking he might get to finally have some time with his girlfriend or sleep, Karen was sitting on the couch with a serious expression.
”Larry, we need to talk.” She seemed a bit nervous. ”Yeah, what is it honey..?” Larry saw her nervous expression and got worried. Karen sighed, taking Larry’s hands..
”We need to break up. You’re truely a kind man and deserve someone, but that is not me. You have no free time and when you do you’re sleeping. I want someone who I can be with!” She said the word Larry had been dreading. He knew this was going to happen sooner or later.. at least nothing can get worse… Right? ”And I’m uh.. taking the house. I’ve already packed your stuff, sorry Larry. You can sleep here tonight.” Larry felt crushed.
What was he going to do?! He already barely had enough for a living, but living alone?! He couldn’t afford that! Oh no no no.. he thought about taking a few more shifts, maybe asking for a raise? But who could he crash with while he was raising money?? He didn’t really have friends.. I mean, he was friends with Steve in high school but only for a short while since he dropped out.. he did still regularly talk to him in ’Tea n’ stuff’ that counted right?!
That night Larry couldn’t sleep. At all. He felt dreadful, scared and worried.