Halfway Home

Stella

It’s well past two in the morning by the time I unlock the front door to my apartment. My feet are so sore that all I can think about is collapsing onto the couch, but I also smell like a kitchen and there’s a solid layer of sweat coating my entire body, so the shower comes first.

I quickly shed my chef’s uniform and turn on the hot water. While the bathroom fills with steam, I comb out my