Night Shift Chill

The entire alley finally cleared out, leaving nothing but dead silence and dim amber streetlights. I balanced my green cup flat against a wooden pallet slat where nobody could kick it over. Dug straight into my suit lining, fished out a fat, sticky speck of cured pine herb, and squashed it down hard against the cold galvanized steel rim of the rusted barrel using my thumb. That sharp, skunky pine resin bloomed right into the chilly night breeze. I slumped my shoulders back against the dark brick wall, propped both heels up on a deflated plastic cushion, and let the heavy buzz take total control.