ELLIE PETERS
Inside the Tea Cabinet nnjk Stu slammed the front door shut with a grunt of frustration, glad he had gotten rid of the neighbors, but frustrated they had the gall to act like they cared. No one really cared, they only knew Albert as the local handyman, nothing more. Everyone just felt entitled to know his personal business, because god forbid anything happen without the local gossips knowing all the details. “Just because your life is bland, Karen, it doesn’t mean you get to use other people’s lives as some kind of sick, vicarious self-fulfillment,” he scoffed, thinking aloud. Albert was both amazed and frightened by his friend’s ability to chase unwanted people away, but mostly he was just relieved he was there to do it for him. Well, that wasn’t the only reason, he just was glad to have a familiar face around the house. He
because god forbid anything happen without the local gossips knowing all the details.
wasn’t a replacement, not by a long shot, but it was nice. “Thanks for scaring them off, I couldn’t have done it myself.” “I know. You can be such a welcome mat, Al.” “I just don’t like to be rude.” Stu huffed and walked through the hall which led into the kitchen. On the left was the refrigerator and on the right was the island, creating a pathway that would bring someone towards the sink that sat against the far wall past the cupboards, oven, cabinets, and drawers. It wasn’t luxurious, the counter was just that default poor person counter that comes with most houses, unpainted wooden cabinets, and completed with off white walls, but it was comfortable. Comfortable for more than one person anyway. “Ugh, I have a headache,” he said, rubbing his temples. “Yelling like that will do that to you.” Stu rolled his eyes and popped the fridge open, about to crack open yet another can of cola but noticed Albert standing behind him looking at him disapprovingly. “What?” FEATURED ALUMNI WORK
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