The Andreyev family were notorious in Gravewood for their long-standing feud. Boris and his brother hated each other for reasons even the two of them had likely forgotten. Years ago, Boris had left town and traveled the world to escape the abhorrent presence of his younger brother, who had stayed behind in Gravewood with his middle-management job at the Banshee that would soon become the editing gig he had today.Â
When Boris moved back to house and raise a teenage Griffin, he didnât even tell his brother. The Banshee, in return, refused to print any ad space for The Gallery of the Uncommon, despite Borisâs multiple attempts to rent some out.Â
Griffinâs cushy new job working for Grandpa was, then, a point of contention between him and his uncle slash roommate. Working from home was a no go. Boris was not violent or incredibly argumentative when it came to things he disliked - but he was very, very annoying about them. It was impossible to focus on anything with him buzzing around, interrupting every other minute with some anecdote about mermaids in the Caspian Sea or a great dragon he met outside of Guangzhou.Â
Griffinâs normal spot when he couldnât focus at home was Java Junkie. They kept him caffeinated and the other patrons were rarely rowdy enough to become bothersome. However, on that particular afternoon, Griffin found himself walking past Java Junkieâs doors, further down Main St a ways until...
It was the perfect time to be at Marieâs. Just past the breakfast rush, but not quite into the lunch crowd. The booths provided so much space for Griffin to splay out his laptop and notebooks. Plus, he could grab something to eat more substantial than a scone. It was perfect. Why wouldnât he do work here everyday?
That was the mantra he kept in his head as he avoided eye contact with Jamie across the room. Just a casual day, doing some casual work. No ulterior motives. Whatâs the special today? Oh, Marieâs famous club sandwich. Yes. That is the reason Griffin has sat himself on the booth cushion with the split vinyl.Â
He busied himself with setting up a work station until Jamie approached, at which point he put on airs that this was all a funny coincidence.Â
âOh, hey. I completely forgot you worked here,â he said in greeting. âIâve got this brain fog lately. Itâs been hell week at The Banshee for the past five, so...âÂ
@indyerstraitsâ












