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Not that she lived alone

Not exactly

The botto she didn’t appreciate his help

“Thank you,” she said, as they cliain”

“There’s nothing to thank lad to be able to help” When they reached the front door, he held out his hand “Your keys”

She shrugged, as if it wasn’t important “The lock’s broken”

He wanted to say so She could see it But he didn’t Instead, he nodded, opened the door …

And said so low and unpleasant

She couldn’t blame him

She felt the same way each time she stepped into the dark, dirty entryway, inhaled the stink of beer and pee and ed-up doors that lined the hall and the wooden stairs that rose into the gloom

Say so

“Well,” she said brightly, “this is it”

He looked at her as if she were crazy

“My apartment is on the fourth floor”

Still nothing frolint in his blue eyes