Christopher Caldwell crosses the space between the stove and kitchen sink for what could have been the fiftieth time tonight. He turns the faucet to fill the kettle he’s holding. Returning to the stove he starts to boil water for more coffee. He then hears the door open and close in the adjacent washroom. His brother Michael now enters the kitchen. It’s 11:40pm and a single light overhanging the tiny kitchen table illuminates the small room.

“You’ve been gone awhile,” Christopher says. Michael pulls a chair from the table and sits without saying a word. Reaching into his pocket he grabs a pack of cigarettes, pulls one out and places it between his lips.  Outstretching his arm, but without looking up, he offers one to his brother.  Christopher quietly accepts one and the two brothers light their cigarettes in unison, and both exhale large plumes of smoke, Michael’s slightly larger.

With photos by Atina Thorning.  Click here to read more, and here to read more by Josh Mitchell.