Lover in the Window

Time Heals All Wounds

"As people spin faster and faster in the pursuit of merely personal happiness, they become exhausted in the futile effort of chasing themselves."

– Andrew Delbanco

The day starts like any other work day at Raven's Place, all the seats are filled and people sit in the waiting room, watching TV, flipping through social media on their phones, reading magazine, etc. Kids are playing in the corner in a little plastic house Eli had installed to keep children entertained while the mother is getting her hair, makeup and nails done.

The room is full of laughter and talking, and kids are playing and fighting over fake kitchen utensils. Raven is busy washing a woman's hair out in the sink, but carrying a conversation with her co-worker Anita, who is behind her and has just finished up a woman's hair and goes to get her next customer.

"Hello there, pretty lady." The man says to Anita.

"Hello sir, what can I do for you today?" She says.

"I'd like a trim, fix it up for me if you don't mind, maybe some fresh black hair-dye, and shave my beard up for me too."

"I can make that happen, lean back for me."

Anita wraps a hair shield around his neck and fastens it in the back.

"So, what is your name?" Anita asks him,

"Rory. It's Rory Layton." he replies.

Raven can't help but over hear as her head forces upward and looks through the mirror at Anita, who has already focused her eyes in the same direction. Raven's eyes grow large and she slowly shakes her head and mouths, don't say a word.

"Are you kin to Eli Layton by any chance?" Anita asks.

"That's my son. I have a daughter too. Her name is Evelyn." he says with a smile.

"I know them very well. You've done a great job raising them sir, they're truly amazing people."

"Well thank you. I done my best." His face glows with the thought that he done something right, knowing deep down they wouldn't be half of the people they are today if he had anything to do with their upbringing.

Raven whips her head around toward him and her eyes grow dark.

"Don't you ever take credit for that, you didn't raise them, and they damn sure wouldn't be the people they are today if they stayed with you!" Raven says as if she knows what is on his mind.

Luckily another employee has just returned from her lunch break.

"Teresa, take my spot, I can't do this right now. I'll be back when that liar is out of here." Raven says as she exits the building.

Around a half hour passes and Raven is sitting outside in the break area next to the building, gazing around at the cars in the parking lot. She spots a dark red 2020 Dodge Ram 2500 over in the back corner, with Layton, written across the windshield.

"Wonder how you afforded that, damn gambler." Raven murmurs under her breath.

Just at that moment Rory exits the building and heads across the parking lot. He looks over and spots Raven and turns to head toward her. His hair is now dyed black and combed to the side.

"Don't you dare come over here!" Raven stands up and pulls out her phone as if she is going to the police.

"Raven, I'm sorry. I came here to apologize to the kids, and bring some gifts for the babies. I heard you're having a boy and my sweet baby-girl is having twins, a boy and a girl, right? Congratulations to you both."