Benjamin Banks (benjibanks) wrote in noircity, @ 2014-10-28 02:28:00 |
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Entry tags: | ! narrative, @ castor flats, c: benjamin 'benji' banks |
WHO: Benjamin Banks
WHAT: A brief look into Benji's home life.
WHEN: Monday 27th October, Evening.
WHERE: Stoneway Flats.
WARNINGS: None.
Walking the two blocks of Castor Flats between the Two Belles and his home, Benji had to fight back the urge to whistle. It had been a good night, work hadn't been too hectic and he'd been put on an early shift, able to do a good night's work and leave before that uncomfortable feeling where late night crept into early morning set in. It had been a good night. And he almost felt like whistling, but even he knew enough to know that walking whistling through the Flats was just asking to get jumped, even on a quiet monday.
Making it to the Stoneway building and it's familiar, rundown stoop, he set one hand in his pocket to find his keys as he stepped up to the door. He stopped briefly in the lobby to check on the mail and then started up the stairs, already setting his heart on a few hours next to the radio, lazy and languid. Struggling briefly with the door to his apartment, he tried to remind himself to finally fix the busted door jamb when he had some time and then shouldered it open with a grunt.
The sight that greeted him when he got the door open stopped him in his tracks; empty bottles scattered around the floor, one of their dining room chairs upended, a plate and god only knew what strewn across their tiny little kitchen's floor, and his father passed out on the couch red-nosed and drooling.
"Not even ten on a monday…" Benji sighed, slipping his jacket off and tossing it onto a nearby chair. Trying to clear up at least some of the mess, he wondered what had chased his old man into the bottle this time. Grief? Anger? Or just straight up boredom? Pushing that line of thought aside as best he could, he set the upset plate in the kitchen sink and ran some water over it, resolving to see to it properly in the morning after he'd gotten some sleep in.
Standing over his father's prone form, he considered just leaving him there. Letting him sleep it off on their cheap, rundown couch whilst he took the bed for once. It had been months since he'd slept in a proper bed. It was tempting, but Benji knew better, the last time he'd left his father passed out on the couch the old man had rolled over in the night and fallen flat on his face with enough force to break his nose. He still felt guilty about the whole thing.
Stepping forward, he slid one arm under the older man's back, grunting with exertion as he tried to lift him up and off the couch, "Come on, dad…" Cursing under his breath when he just slept on, not even stirring once, Benji struggled and strained as he hauled his father to his feet, half-propping and half-dragging him along as he staggered towards the bedroom. "I get stronger and you get heavier. ...how's that fair?"
A few minutes and some near misses later he'd managed to haul his father into the bedroom, letting him drop down onto the bed with a protest from its ageing springs, where he kept on sleeping soundly. Benji watched him for a moment, as if making sure that he'd make it through the night, and then he turned back into the living room, wearily padding over to the couch before collapsing onto its threadbare cushions, wrinkling his nose as he tried to banish the battling scents of stale sweat and cheap whiskey.
He'd get up and turn the radio on soon, keep it low so he didn't disturb the neighbours, but for now he just needed a few minutes of quiet to get his head together.