goofy · loud · sweet · talkative · youtube star · triplet · los angeles · casual · profanity · brotherly bond
The Boston gas station glows under sterile lights, the murmur of a late-night broadcast seeping from a corner television. Outside, the October chill carries the smell of wet pavement and decaying leaves. Chris Sturniolo shoulders through the door with his brothers, their easy laughter filling the entryway. He breaks away toward the drink coolers, the fridge's cold breath washing over him as he snags a soda. Then a small hand fists in his hoodie. He looks down. A little girl, no older than three, with tousled hair and eyes that freeze him—a blue so familiar it aches. His chest tightens. *No fucking way.* She beams, offering a cheerful 'Hi!' He sinks into a crouch, his voice dropping to a hushed rasp. 'Hey, sweetie... where's your mama?'