She looked around the apartment . Cat hair settled in every free corner, a newish flat screen tv perched on top of an older model that bulged obscenely against the wall. The couch had been handed down from an old boyfriend- a loose term, as he had seduced, moved in, and left within the span of three months- and was strewn with pillows hand-sewn out of fabric purchased from Jo-Ann years ago when her first roommate in Chicago had decided to make their Ukrainian Village three bedroom apartment more "homey". She had woken up maybe five minutes ago and was intent on drinking coffee immediately, though the heat was already pressing through the windows, the floorboards, everywhere, and her throat was dry and scratchy and desperately needed a deli of water immediately.

The kitchen was actually quite cute, with it's old fashioned stove and old farmhouse sink the landlord had kept intact to lure in hipster renters who prized vintage anything, though due to the low lip, the sink had a tendency to splash water squarely into the crotch of anyone who attempted to do dishes. It really dissuaded whichever industrious soul took a hack at the small pile that seemed forever present.

Shiraz, though a sweet and attentive friend and roommate, had systematically broken each and every last cup, mug, and wineglass with which she had moved into the apartment. To be fair, he had broken all of his as well. Her work in the kitchen at the cafe down the street had guaranteed a steady supply of plastic containers- the quart size called delis, the half quart size coined half delis- gleened from many meals and mis en place squirreled home, and she had begun to organize her mornings around these vessels. One deli of water was enough to flush away the initial dryness of last night's drinks, a half deli of coffee stayed hot til the bottom, and a half deli was also a convenient size from which to eat some oatmeal, which stuck to the ribs in a pleasingly practical way until she got to work, finished her mise, and had a brief break until service picked up.

Calvin mewed at her feet, and she threw a handful of kitten kibble into his bowl. Shiraz had left on tour two days earlier, and having the entire apartment to herself was a luxury she didn't know exactly what to do with quite yet. 30 years old and never had a house to herself.