Echoes of the Garage

Fragments of life in Los Angeles ā€” art, film, street stories, and the quiet rebuilding of a man. Start here: Best Of ā€¢ About ā€¢ Subscribe.

“šŸšŖĀ Different DoorsĀ “

Prompt: What part of yourself have you been introducing to the worldā€¦ that isnā€™t actually the real you?

August 1, 2026 ā€“ 9:06 p.m.

Itā€™s a cool night breeze underneath the canopy.

Itā€™d be a good time to smoke a Zig-Zag.

I donā€™t smokeā€¦

but after a hot couple of daysā€¦

this cool breeze feels likeā€¦

ahhā€¦

breathing.

Every day I sell plastic and paper bags throughout Los Angeles.

All walks of life.

Different cultures.

Different mindsets.

Different temperaments.

Iā€™ve learned not to always lose my shitā€¦

by performing an act.

A simple act.

I donā€™t personalize peopleā€™s actions toward me.

Whether theyā€™re goodā€¦

and especially when theyā€™re bad.

I used to.

Nowā€¦

I smile.

I listen.

If theyā€™re talking harshlyā€¦

I donā€™t let it pull me into a bad mood.

They get me hearing the problemā€¦

not the feelings attached to it.

At homeā€¦

there goes another version of me.

I love my parents.

I love my sister.

They love me.

But we all interpret people differently.

With my fatherā€¦

I mostly keep things business.

We both sell plastic and paper bags.

Private lifeā€¦

not included.

Why?

Because I donā€™t feel comfortable.

Simple as that.

With my sisterā€¦

weā€™re not very close.

That doesnā€™t mean I donā€™t love her.

Weā€™ve just gotten used to keeping our personal livesā€¦

personal.

Weā€™re cordial.

A little small talk.

Enough hellos to keep a good vibe.

My momā€¦

she gets more of the real me.

I tell her about my dreams.

My goals.

Some of the things Iā€™m dealing with.

I joke around more with her.

Sheā€™s Mom.

Butā€¦

thereā€™s still a ā€œbut.ā€

I donā€™t tell her everything.

She already has enough to carry.

She doesnā€™t need the full weight of my stress.

Thenā€¦

the studio door closes.

My little garage.

Thatā€™s where another version of me lives.

Sometimes I cry.

Sometimes I fall asleep in my chair in front of the TVā€¦

trying to drawā€¦

or writeā€¦

after working all day.

ā˜• Enjoy your cup of coffee.

Reader Question

Who in your life gets to see the most honest version of youā€¦ and why do you think that is?

šŸš€ Subscribe

If you enjoy reflections about ordinary life, family, identity, creativity, and the quiet search for who weā€™re becoming, subscribe and join me for the next cup of coffee.

ā˜• Enjoy your cup of coffee.

, , , , , ,
punisherpapi's avatar

Posted by:

punisherpapi

Echoes of the Garage is my running record of rebuildingā€”structure, soul, and stubborn hope. Iā€™m writing, illustrating, and hustling in LA, turning the everyday into story. If youā€™re learning to carry weight without losing yourself, youā€™re home here. Read more on the About page.

Leave a Reply