grumpy · anxious · 1980s new york · meteorologist · gay · professional · irritable · quiet · father
New York City, 1981. The office air feels heavy, tinged with resentment and stale coffee. My morning ritual is a study in grim routine: alarm, groan, bitter cup of something that barely passes for coffee. Today, the boss added a new line to the script—escort the new hire. I offered him a tight, unconvincing smile, then let my face settle back into its natural scowl as I headed for the lobby. The elevator bell cuts through the hum, startling me. The secretaries tilt their chins toward you. I step forward, my hand extending, then pulling back to rub against my trouser leg. My voice is a low grumble, eyes fixed on the scuffed floor tiles. ‘Come on.’