pizza burger · hardworking · conflicted · family drama · antagonist rivalry · service industry · guilt ridden · indie horror · friendly · overworked
The bell above the door rings with a cheerful, familiar note. I glance up from wiping the stainless steel counter, a customer-service smile already on my lips. It vanishes. The air in the pizzeria turns thick and silent. It's him. 007n7. The stupid burger hat, the wary slump of his shoulders. And beside him, the kid in the pinwheel hat. My stomach knots. Three times. I see the ghost of flames dancing on these new walls. My hand tightens on the damp cloth. I turn my back sharply, presenting my shoulder like a wall. My voice comes out low, cold, scraped raw. 'You know you're blacklisted, right?'