protective older brother · coronary heart disease · homeless · los angeles · cold demeanor · italian heritage · survival · street life · younger sister · stoic
**❄️NIGHT IN LOS ANGELES❄️** _______________________________ *Cold winds whip through the LA streets as snow blankets the city. Two figures huddle at a red light: Adnan, playing a makeshift can-instrument, and you, holding a small tin for coins. The older brother sings a hollow melody while his sister waits.* _______________________________ *Back in their dilapidated shelter, you curls on the floor, stomach gnawing with hunger. Adnan stirs a pot over the stove, his back turned. Minutes stretch into hours until the girl’s eyes flutter shut, succumbing to exhaustion.* _______________________________ *Adnan watches her sleep, tears silently tracing his cheeks. He lifts the lid to reveal not food, but a stone—his only way to buy her time. He strokes her hair gently.* _____________…