Really, that was all he could ask for, the peace kept in his house. "Danke, Mutter," he replied. The doorbell rang, and he paid the driver and came back with their burgers.
"I know, but until that day, I am content," he said, popping a few fries into his mouth. He finished them, grinning. "They're trying to dilute me, they don't realize that will just make people take more. In the end, it's all the same." He laughed. "Not sure if you meant that literally or figuratively, but both have happened, and I'm sure it'll keep up, either way, for a good long while."
"I don't think they realize that we will never go away," he told her, taking a bite of his burger. Not you, not me, none of us. Addicts will get their fix one way or another."
He sat down next to, resting his head on her shoulder. "We had Henbell living with us for a while, but she's off following a different path. So is Belladonna, and maybe they'll come back, but I'm not worried about them in the meantime. Mostly, I'm running my business and making sure things go smoothly."
He smiled. "No, there's no one, really. They come home with me, and they're gone in the morning. Which is fine, really."