Starving Artist (Justin Pierre)-Prologue

Asciero’s Deli is possibly the most wonderful place in the world. Tony inherited the former garbage dump from his wife’s father a few years ago, and since then has turned it into a tiny slice of heaven between a drugstore and video rental place. The smell of bread and happiness embraces you from about a block away. Perfection.

A familiar bell tinkles as I push through the door.

“Hey, Justin! What’s-” Tony’s voice softens as he sees my face. “Another rejection?”

I nod unenthusiastically.

“Aw, man, that sucks. Want a sandwich?”

Another nod.

He tosses a freshly made (the bread is still warm!) ham and turkey club to me. Extra mustard, hold the mayo. Just the way I like it.

I pull out my wallet to pay, but he waves it aside. That’s probably best, as I know the only things the worn billfold contains are some receipts and a rogue Tic Tac.

“So,” Tony stares at me intently as I wipe a bit of mustard from my upper lip. “What’s the plan now?”

“Eh, the usual.” I remark casually. “Get more broke, get evicted, mooch off your free sandwiches, y’know.”

“Justin,” He chides, “Where are you gonna live?”

I shrug.

“Y’know, you could always crash here for a while. We don’t have too much room, but Deborah and me would be more than happy, and the kids would love having their godfath-”

“No, I’ll find a place. I always do.”

“I know you do. It’s just… I worry. You try so hard and you know I think your writing is amazing, but maybe it just isn’t the right time.”

“Are you saying I should give up?”

“No, no. You know I’ll always support whatever you’re doing, man. You’re closer than a brother to me. Just, I’m afraid something’s gonna happen. What if you can’t find a place to stay? What happens where there’s no backup cash for food and stuff left? What if you get sick or you get in an accident? I know you’re not insured… Justin-”

“Uncle Justin!”

Tony’s sermon is interrupted by an angelic voice as his daughters rush downstairs from their apartment.

“Hey!” I exclaim, brightening my tone as I’m tackled by the two young girls. “What’s up?”

“Madeline is driving me insane.” Maria, the oldest at seven, rolls her eyes.

“Am not!” Madeline retorts.

“Aw, c’mon Mar, she’s so cute! How could that angel possible annoy you?”

“Ah! But-” Maria is flustered, but can’t help but smile at my comment.

“So,” I say, hoisting her sister into the air. “How’s kindergarten, Maddy?”

“My teacher’s a meanie!”

“Oh is she?” I raise my eyebrows as Maddy plucks the rectangular frames from my nose and places them on her own.

“Yes! She made me go sit in the timeout chair today and I didn’t even do anything!”

“Well, tell her your Uncle Justin may just have to come have a talk with her if she does that again. Mrs. Fink won’t know what-”

“I think that’s enough.” Tony interjects, though he’s smiling too.

“Tony!” Deborah, his wife, calls from the back room. In a moment she’s down next to him, pencil and clipboard in hand.

“Did you order one or two dozen jars of those kosher pickles? Because I have two down here, but I only saw the one case- Oh, hi Justin.”

I wave and smile. Though the girls have their father’s warm smile and bright, kind eyes, they both look exactly like their mother. All three Asciero women have long, ebony hair, olive toned skin, and thin figures.

I also have never met a couple so perfect for one another than Tony and Deborah. Where Tony is soft, emotion-driven, and a bit of a worrier, Deb is a logical, practical person that doesn’t let things get to her. They’ve only had one major fight in the eleven years they’ve been together, and that was our senior prom when Tony forgot the corsage. Seriously, what kind of douche bag forgets his date’s corsage?

“So,” Deb checks something off her clipboard and turns to look at me. “What brings you here on this fine day?”

I lower my head and concentrate very hard on the mustardy remains of my sandwich.

“Oh, Justin!” she drops the clipboard and embraces me in an extremely awkward hug over the counter. “I’m so sorry. But there’s always next time, right?”

She looks about as unsure as Tony sounded.

“What’s wrong, Momma?” Maria cocks her head to the side. “Is Uncle Justin gonna have to move again?”

“Don’t you worry about that.” I smile weakly, but my own meager confidence seems to be fading as well.

“Girls, how ‘bout you go upstairs and finish your homework?”

They grumble at the request, but go anyway. Maddy stops suddenly halfway up the steps and returns, giving me my glasses and a large, warm hug.

“Get better!” she chimes.

“Oh, I’ll be alright.”

“Justin,” Deb begins. “What are you going to do?”

“That does seem to be the question of the day…” I add in a slightly mocking tone.

“Well, is there an answer of the day to go with it?” Deb retorts, a mixture of pity and fire in her dark eyes.

“Not yet, but I’m thinking about joining the circus… I would make an awesome clown. Just imagine me in that sexy red nose…”

“Unlike you, I’m actually being serious for once. Do you have a place to stay? We would love to have you here with us-”

“No, I really don’t need you feeding and housing me. I’m a big boy now. I wear Pull-Ups.”

“Really,” She places her hands on her hips. “And how much money does our ‘big boy’ actually have?”

“Enough,” I lie.

“Justin, you need to think about the future. You’re twenty-seven years old! You can’t just get by on free sandwiches and eviction notices anymore!”

“You think I don’t know that?” My face feels hot. “I sure as hell know that! But if you think I need a mommy to take care of me, you’re damn wrong. I’m twenty-seven, I’ve never owned anything larger than a copy of Great Expectations, and I’ve failed at basically everything I’ve ever even tried to attempt! But look at all you have! A successful business, a steady relationship, the two most beautiful children in the world! But you got there on your own, you won, you passed go, you received the two-hundred dollars. I’m stuck, and I’m on my last ‘Get out of jail free!’ card. But I need to do this on my own. I need to win for once, instead of just taking advantage of other peoples’ big scores.”

“Justin-” I hear Tony call, but I’m already out the door, that stupid bell tinkling behind me.