Their relationship begun in the winter. 

Winter was always special for that reason.

But each passing winter, it felt less special.

And their relationship felt less a one of a kind and more of a clone.

The creative, sensitive man now seemed plain, irritating, and unoriginal.

And her cafe. No longer felt like a...

When he woke up it was quiet. His son must be out of the house he thought.

By now he'd gotten used to having Aaron around. They spent only a few hours awake at the same time. But the house felt more whole with his own kind bopping around. He was...

He got up. Laying in bed made him sick and he couldn't fall asleep. He was too drunk. Maybe the last three or four beers that done him in. Otherwise he would probably be sleeping right now. A shitty sleep, but at least some shuteye.

Aaron's snoring filled the otherwise quiet...

Alan knew hating Sean was childish. He'd played this scene before. Knew where it headed 99 out of 100 times, and still he couldn't escape his role.

Sad too. He liked Sean. Always had since they said hi while Alan moved in. They probably would be friends had they had something...

He was surprised that the comment came from Imogen Howe . It was something Aaron would say. Or Jack after a few drinks. Were they rubbing off on her? He was overthinking things. His face reddened more, continuing to think that she knew what he was talking about.

But on her...

"We broke our promise to you, boy scout." Aaron gulped yellow lager into his mouth. Alan could see the beer pour in. Aaron was the only person who drank beer without the can touching his lips. "We went out. To get these." Aaron said while pointing to a cluster of ...

She regretted coming back before new year. She could've stayed in  Chicago . The people at the house wanted her there. Liked the way she made coffee. Thought she was respectful enough. Plus she played guitar better than the bozo who was supposed to be the best player in the...

The sound of a tuning guitar brought back memories. College.

Ashley was still college aged actually. She had attended for only a year before dropping out. It had been a mess. A waste of twenty grand.

Afterwards she was too embarrassed to move back home. She worked at a cafe near campus:...

Spoons clanked in a steamed room. Voices intertwined between slurping sounds and laughter. Alan's head remain shrugged, his eyes closed. It was bright. He imagined slim fingers of an east asian masseuse rubbing his eyelids.

He was alone at the table now. The three had gone to get their order from...

It had taken everything in him to get up. But he was suddenly able when Imogen Howe mentioned visiting coffee shops.

Until then he felt like death . Didn't care what the others did. Alan only wanted the time to pass. Time was the only thing that could cure a hangover...