The streetlights were flickering on as a high-pitched noise broke the stillness of the darkening night. Michael was hunched over using a drill to screw down a board. He was in process of replacing the stairs leading up to his front door. The old steps were splintering and rotten. It was a project that had been on his list for a while and had suddenly moved up to a priority as he had broken through one of them the previous day and taken a tumble. Thankfully it was the bottom step, and he hadn't broken anything.

One might wonder why Michael was doing this at this hour, but when one does not get off work till its dark sometimes projects must be done at inopportune times. He was silently cursing under his breath. Havenwood woods lumber store sucked to put it mildly. Even though he only needed roughly twelve pieces for what he had in mind it had been a fight to get anything good.

[color=00a651]"Not one fucking straight board out of forty damn pieces."[/color]

Luckily, he had been able to find some wood that was barely warped and with the drill and some screws was able to get it to lie mostly flat. As he finished the last step, he wiped his brow and sat down on the porch. A sigh escaped his lips as a cool breeze drifted across him. It was currently twilight. The darkness was chasing away the lingering orange light with gusto. Despite the calm look on his face his mind raced as he doubted himself. Wondering if there were any ways he could have done the porch better.

As his inner voice battled himself, it was all interrupted as the screen door cracked open allowing a delicious smell to waft out. A wrinkly face peered out with a joyful smile. Her voice was soft and full of affection.

"Michael dear, it looks like you did a wonderful job with the steps."

He grinned as her reassuring voice chased away his doubts. He raised himself up from the steps and turned towards her taking the door from her following her into the house. [color=00a651]"Thank you ma. It had to be done. I can't have any of us getting hurt."[/color] Joyce nodded her head as she ladled some chili into a bowl and handed it to Michael. He took it with a smile and sat down at the dining room table and waited for her.

The smile on his face faltering as the weight he had been too busy to notice reintroduced itself in this quiet moment. Though most certainly it did not help that he could vaguely see something large and black sitting on his shoulders in the reflection of the wall mirror that was in the dark living room. Michael sighed and turned his focus away from it towards his grandmother's warm smile.

[color=00a651]"I ain't got much money right now because of the lumber I had to buy but I'm getting paid tomorrow and hopefully I can do something about the dip in the floor in the bathroom."[/color]

Joyce just knowingly smiled, and the duo enjoyed their chili in silence. Tomorrow would bring its own headaches and Havenwood would no doubt have new shades of rot for them to deal with but now was for the living.