Brushstrokes

"Hey Todd, wanna grab a drink?" said his coworker Damion as he approached his desk. "Dumond and I are going bar hopping."

He gave a small apologetic smile. "Sorry, I have something at home. Need to take care of something."

Damion let out a sigh of disappointment. "It's okay, I understand. How about this Sunday?"

"Sure," Todd said. "The normal place?"

"You know it!" Damion grinned as he left, leaving him the only person still in his cubicle. Slamming his face on his desk, Todd sighed deeply.

Work, the very word shakes many people to their core. Whether you were a pensioner, a working class citizen, or a college student with a new job, work was never a good thing.

Todd Markum, age 23, certified master of toilet paper origami. He had never been the most attractive of people, but some still said that he was at least bearable to look at if he cleaned up a bit.

He worked at a company that sold paper, the paper they sold were very shitty paper but paper nonetheless. It was a rather small company, and that was the sole reason why he applied to work there.

"You're still here, Markum?" asked his boss, Adam Karson, as he approached him. "Better you clean up, it's getting rather late."

Staring out of the window, Adam glanced at the city outside. Lights were emanating out of the many offices that populated the area. Neon billboards caught the eye as they advertised something he didn't know.

"What are your holiday plans, Markum?" Adam asked him, sipping his cup of coffee. "Staying in the city or visiting the parents?"

He shook his head. "Just going to stay at home, maybe read a book or two."

"Sounds awfully boring," his boss joked. "No family?"

"None," he said. "My parents died a couple years back."

"My condolences," Adam said sincerely. "Any other family members? Perhaps a girlfriend?"

Todd laughed. "I'm afraid I don't have the time for a relationship. It's just going to be a quiet time at home."

"Whatever makes you happy, Markum," he said. "I'm heading home, make sure you lock up okay?" Adam exited the small office, his boots loudly stomping down the stairs.

Christmas was not a happy time for him, nor was it a great time. He didn't hate the holiday per say, it just......brings up bad memories.

He grabbed his bag, slinging it on his back. Locking up, Todd closed the lights and he went down the stairs.

It was a cold night, he realized as he stepped outside and walked to his car. Todd shivered, regretting his decision to only wear one layer of clothing.

What should he do this Christmas?

If he stayed at home, that would make him unlikable and weird.

And he didn't have anyone to go home to, sadly.

Todd was at a conundrum, and when he felt stressed he would drive around in his car.

"Should I go home?" He asked himself. "Or should I go somewhere else?"