There he was, sitting outside on
the bench. He knew what was going on
inside was sure to disappoint. So rather than continuing to sit there and
imagine the worst, he decided to walk in and face the situation.
Up the brick steps he went, fear evaporating
more and more with each step he took. Hand on the door handle, he looked
through the glass to see her. She stood talking to Albert. He pulled open the door
and walked towards them. Their backs were turned to him as they talked facing
the books. Before saying a word, the acceptance of all his fears settled his
nerves, ready to be done with it.
“Hi
Eunice.”
She did not
turn.
“Albert,
how’s it going?”
He didn’t
turn either.
“Hello?”
Vince slowed his approach. He stopped. “Oy!”
The two
were no longer speaking. They stood silently and motionlessly, facing the books. Perplexed, Vince circled around to the front of them.
“Shiiit,”
he said as he looked at them. “No faces…”
Albert and
Eunice had only smooth skin where their eyes, noses, and mouths should be. He
looked down at his watch quickly. 5:30pm. He’d just seen them in movement. They
spoke only seconds before his approach.
He knew whatever had caused this wasn’t far away.
Vince
looked away from the books, back towards the door. He then walked in that
direction. Then ran. He opened the door and got outside. Breathing heavily, he
turned around to look back inside. There they were, still talking.
He looked
down at his watch again. 5:29pm.
