A/N I forgot to say... the titles of the chapters are from "Cloud on my Tongue" by Tori Amos

Don't Need Much to Keep Me Warm

I suppose I should defend my character to say why I was evicted. It was not due to poor behavior or a prolonged irresponsibility with the rent. My brother used to live there with me, as I mentioned. We split the rent. When he vanished, I could no longer afford to live there. I tried. I attempted a few other jobs, some of which paid better. Some asked too much of me (as far as my self-respect goes). Others were in a bad part of town. For whatever reason, working for Eddie was the only one I managed to keep. But waitressing does not pay all that well. Not well enough to escape the Narrows permanently. So, here I am.

I've never lived in the Narrows before. My brother worked here, though. His job was not exactly legal. But I'd prefer not to soil his memory by dwelling on it. Regardless, the Narrows have a reputation that even the most sadistic babysitter wouldn't tell her charges. It was always a dark shadow on the edge of my knowledge, as long as I can remember. I didn't always live with the fear of ending up here. Before my parents left, it would never have entered my mind. But I'll get to that later.

I woke up early the next morning to finish unpacking. It was somewhat depressing to view how few belongings I actually have. I've kept all my brother's things. Not his clothes, but all his knickknacks and the like. I've even kept his yearbooks. I'm not sure why. Of course, I was in some of them. But I couldn't imagine a situation where I'd need to know what either of us had looked like as children. I have few pictures. Only one of us as a family, when we were young. I have my mother's scrapbook. I have few things with sentimental value. Perhaps living here has already done that to me. No sense in putting stores on a physical thing, easily stolen from you. Just keep memories, though they fade.

I sighed, surveying the sparse surroundings. I have little in the way of decorating. Oh well. I don't have the money to spend on fripperies. I would spend as little as possible to live, so I may someday have enough to leave this place. To go where? I don't know. Anywhere, I suppose, would be better.

I must admit, though, it was nice to get to walk to work. Public transportation isn't what it used to be. I like walking, though this was a bit scary. But riding the bus was hardly safer. I saw few people walking, relatively. Fewer people meant it was less likely for someone to decide to mug me. Or worse.

For some reason, I was suddenly reminded of my sister. She'd left me a note, which I still haven't read. I suppose I should. But I was nearly halfway to work, and I might be late anyway. I'll read it when I got home, I decided. I don't know when that would be, but oh well. I pulled out a pen and wrote discreetly on my arm a reminder. I have an absent mind, it seems.

I reached the diner without incident, and quickly washed up and put on my best face. Lisa told me I'd be a wonderful actress, the way I could pretend to be a completely different person when I was at work. I don't know about that. I can play that persona, but I don't know if I could so easily slip into others. Probably not. But this mask was necessary to keep from going insane, and to make money. I do enjoy the act much of the time. I like my job. Besides, I don't know what else I'd do.

The patrons today were not remarkable. Just the same old ones, I suppose. They do seem to be all the same after a while. All the same, sad, beaten-down men and an occasional bitter and pale woman. I was reflecting on this when Lisa came hurrying up to me.

"Do you know what today is?" she demanded.

I admitted that I did not, watching her nearly bounce up and down with delight. I have no idea what would so please her.

"It's Bruce Wayne's birthday!!" she cried. Given my blank look, she continued. "It's only the biggest social event of the year! He just got back like a month ago, so he hasn't had a welcome home party yet. They invited a lot of people," she said significantly.

My eyes widened. "Including you?"

She grinned. "Yes! Eddie said he'd let us both go in the afternoon so you can help get me ready," she added. "If you're willing?"

"Of course," I replied with a smile. "I'm sure you'll have a great time." I paused. "How did you get an invite?"

"He asked me personally a few nights ago. He said he probably wouldn't get to spend nearly as much time as he'd like with me, given his other guests, so he'd just have to take me out on a date next week," she beamed.

"And you didn't tell me?" I asked, looking scandalized.

She looked apologetic. "I'm sorry. It slipped my mind until this morning, when his birthday was all over the news." I'm sure her definition of 'news' is slightly different from mine. "Then I remembered I hadn't had time to tell you yet. What with you moving and all," she added gently.

"Yeah, what with that," I responded.

"I'm sure you'll get out of here soon," she said soothingly.

"Probably." She looked sad. My foul mood was spoiling her delight. I forced a cheeky smile. "And if not, I'm sure when you marry your rich man, you guys can help me out."

Her smile returned. "I don't know if I'd like my husband funding some poor woman. Might become the talk of the town, you know."

"You'd love to be the talk of the town, for whatever reason," I admonished.

She laughed lightly. "Which is why I might support some nice young man, but I'm afraid you're out of luck."

I snapped my fingers and looked regretful. "Now there's a pity. I'll just have to find some other best friend, then. One willing to risk a scandal."

She playfully smacked my shoulder, and then we got back to work.

Eddie allowed us to leave, after much begging on Lisa's part, at about 2:30. I went with her to her house, where I lingered awkwardly while she showered. Her extensive family was, surprisingly, not at home. Her younger siblings were all still in school, and would not come home for another hour or so. I could never keep track of her parents' interesting work schedules, so I had no idea when one might come home. I contented myself with watching television while I waited.

The media, always brash, was quite brazen this evening. They had the audacity to discuss the increased number of criminals entering Arkham Asylum for the Criminally Insane. They suggested that perhaps some corruption in the system sent men there rather than jail, where they belonged. I found that hardly surprising. What better place for a crime lord to control than an insane asylum? They asked a Dr. Jonathan Crane, director, if he'd like to comment. The camera focused on his face as he replied, something about all of his patients deserving to be in the relative safety of his facility, and I received a start. I'm not sure what it was. Perhaps he looked familiar?

Lisa came out, looking ravishing as usual, before I could consider the matter further. I filed it away to consider later as I went to help her with her hair and makeup.

"I swear, Jenny, no one can do hair quite like you," she declared.

I laughed. "If your hair was as unruly as mine, you'd have developed the same talent," I told her.

Makeup's not much my forte, so I allowed her to figure that out. After she'd dressed in a lovely formal of royal blue, we had dinner. We had to be very careful not to spill anything on her, of course. This was quite difficult, given the number of much younger children who soon flooded the house. We managed to sit them all down in front of the television, and they were suitably distracted.

"I don't know how you do handle all this every day," I told her when we were alone in the kitchen. "Actually, I don't know how your mother handles it," I corrected.

She shrugged. "You get used to it, I guess. And Mom really enjoys all the life in the house. It's pretty lonely for her when Dad's away. Or was," she said softly.

Lisa's father works in sales, and travels far from here. He used to be quite prosperous, and they lived near me when in elementary school. In middle school, he started to lose money and had to move them in town, where cheap houses were available. Lisa was seven when they started having more children, which had continue until a couple years ago. I tried to imagine having younger siblings. And failed.

"Well, I suppose I'd better go," I said. It was only five, but I wanted to get home long before dark. "Thanks for the very early dinner," I added.

Lisa smiled. "Feel free to stop by anytime. We'd be happy to have you," she asserted.

"I know. I may. Well, enjoy the party. Tell me everything," I said, rising to go.

"I will."

She saw me out and I headed home, feeling somehow empty to leave that home full of light and life to go to my own, dark and empty abode.

Once home, I sat down to watch some tv. It was a little while before I remember the note from my sister. I swore, then hopped up to find it. What will all the complications of moving, it was some time before I found it. I ripped it open, feeling savage with my frustration.

Jenny-

I know you have no reason to trust me, but it's very important that you come and see me soon! Especially on next Wednesday. Before nightfall. At the usual place. I don't want you to regret it. I know you've been evicted and have to move to the Narrows. And I know that upsets you, and you won't want to see me or Henri. But you must come! It's a matter of life and death!

Renee

I stared at the note for a minute. How could she know that? Never mind, I sighed. She knew. She always knew, since I refused to tell her anything. It was Wednesday, the one after she'd written the note. And it was nearly nightfall. Swearing, I headed out the door.