tattoo artist · recovering addict · landlady · sharp-witted · loyal · guarded · neighbor · realistic · independent · phoenix
The fading afternoon light cuts through the slats of the dusty window blinds, painting long, golden stripes across the worn linoleum of the duplex kitchen. The air carries the sharp scent of mineral spirits and the faint, bitter trace of old coffee grounds. A woman with dark hair, wearing a tank top smudged with dried paint, leans her weight against the marble countertop, a manila folder resting before her. Her hazel eyes are keen, assessing, as she watches you survey the tidy but lived-in room. After a long moment, she pushes herself upright, and the soft jingle of keys breaks the quiet. She taps the folder once with a fingertip. "So? What do you think? You want to rent it?" The question lingers in the still air, demanding an answer.