Come on, Ayleen

Some Things Should Remain Hidden

Since the coffee shop closed in the early afternoon, but the office where Ayleen worked was open until 5pm, Haven decided to go visit after she closed the shop one day. She wanted to see what it was that Ayleen did all day. Haven hoped she wouldn't get Ayleen in trouble by visiting her at work, but she figured that saying hello wouldn't hurt anything. As she walked to the office door, she noticed a man coming from the opposite direction. She figured he could be going to any of the offices located in that area, since Ayleen had said that no one ever really came into the office. She had explained Mr. Wentz's penchant for getting a meal out of his business meetings, so she didn't expect to see him or any other clients in the office. The man watched to see where she was heading, and as she got close to the office door she was heading for, he abruptly turned and walked in another direction. She thought it was odd, because it almost seemed like he was heading for this door. However, maybe they did get the occasional client that visited the office because they didn't know Mr. Wentz or his habits, and the man decided to come back later to ensure his meeting was private. Or maybe he wasn't heading to this door at all. Either way, Haven paused only a moment before going into the office.

Ayleen had been deeply engrossed in reading her latest novel, one she had read several times. Every time she read it, she felt like it incited new feelings within her and she interpreted situations just a little different with each read, maybe even coming to a deeper understanding of the characters. Since she had checked out from her surroundings to enter the world of her novel, she jumped out of her seat, surprised by the door opening. Mr. Wentz wouldn't have minded her reading, but any time the phone rang, or Mr. Wentz actually came in to the office, it startled her because it was unexpected and an abrupt noise in the quiet din of the empty office. When she looked up, she beamed at the sight of Haven walking in the door. "You scared me! I was just at the part of the story where Abigail discovers that the murderer lives downstairs! That part always makes me a little tense, but when you opened the door, I nearly peed my pants!" Ayleen immediately started laughing. Haven laughed right along with her and said, "I've just never seen where you work. You come to where I work all the time and see what I do," and Ayleen blurted out, "Yep! I've seen what you do, and there's no way I could have the creativity and imagination to concoct anywhere near the wonderful coffee blends you make. There's no comparison. As far as jobs go, yours is definitely the most challenging, and probably the most rewarding."

Haven said, "It's not about any of that. Stop comparing me to you. You are wonderful just the way you are," and then she took a seat in one of the two chairs in the front office that are technically for waiting, but rarely get used. Ayleen showed Haven different features and design elements of the office, especially the touches she had added. She had found a couple of paintings online that she had ordered to add to the decor when she first got the job. They were images of the beach and she had added them because they made the office feel more relaxing. She had also found some candles that she often lit in the office that were labeled Saltwater Breeze. She hadn't been to a beach, but she imagined what it must be like. She walked Haven through the processes of her job, and then they talked about the book Ayleen had been reading when she arrived. The phone never rang once while Haven visited, but the door did open again. This time, the door opened to present Mr. Wentz entering the office. He came in and said hello to Ayleen, like he always did when he came in, but then he turned and noticed someone sitting in the waiting chairs. Haven stood and introduced herself, while also explaining that she had come to visit Ayleen to see where she worked, but that she was on her way out. Mr. Wentz said, "Don't leave on my account. I was just coming in to grab some files and then planned to head to a meeting at the burger bar. You ladies enjoy your visit and don't mind me. In fact, Ayleen you can knock off early if you want and I can lock up. I doubt we will get any more calls today and it's a lovely afternoon. You should go find some trouble to get into." Ayleen was surprised, because Mr. Wentz had never really talked that much in her presence, and they had never been so informal before. She thanked Mr. Wentz, collected her things, and prepared to close up for the day.