The beginning of my APoS aspic...

Meaning, it's beginning to gel in my head. I'm getting ideas and nudges from Brendan about what to put in not only New World For Old but also Home Not Home.

For example, he wants more time with what is, basically, a second family he builds when he sneaks away from his aunt and uncle's home after a brutal interaction over him dating a Cajun girl. His plan is to get away from them, but he has no idea where else to go so finds a furnished room over near the University of Houston to give him time to think...and grows close to the people who live there.

The place is owned by Mrs. Glendon, who's elderly, always wears light caftans, on the ethereal side, and has a sort of whatever happens happens attitude. The other boarders are:

1. Elton, who's tall, thin, quiet, very shy and still, on disability. his eyes see all, and he's a savant in languages. He becomes pen pals with Rhuari over Gaelic, once Brendan connects them.

2. Richard Markowitz, who's Jewish, stocky, hairy, has a Roman nose, and is always in a suit. He works in food management. He's waiting to see if a contract at UH will become permanent. It doesn't, so he moves on to NASA in Huntsville, AL 

3. Myron Phelan, a young man with cerebral palsy who's independent to a fault, as Mrs. Glendon says. He has sharp eyes and a hawk-like nose. Everyone thinks he's on disability but when he dies they learn his parents put him there because they didn't want him at home. He has a twin brother who is okay but is never seen. 

4. Mrs. Kendall, who's black, very large and a chatterbox. She lives on SSI and cooks killer meals from ingredients others bring her, twice a week, for everyone so she can keep the leftovers.  

5. Miss Alexander is thin and always well dressed, with hair in a French twist. She works in the fabric shop of a local department store and keeps to herself. 

6. Sonja is the granddaughter to Mrs. Glendon, who's chunky, avaricious and surly...except when playing piano. She lives in an apartment over the garage, out back.

He also connects with a guy named Randy-Ray, 50s, who runs a motorcycle shop off 45 and Stoke, back of his house. Brendan gets parts for his Montessa motorbike there and winds up repairing a wreck of a green Peugeot 504, left drive, in exchange for parts. He rebuilds it as a way to repair himself.

I'm not sure how much of this will work in, but I know I'm adding at least one more chapter to give Bren time with them all, then they're part of his Houston life from then on.