Viv and Susan Farrah sat next to each other, watching the dryer tumble around and around. Unfortunately Viv's comforter had formed a tight ball. "Give me a minute, I need to stop the dryer and do some untangling."
Stalling for time, she opened the dryer door and reached inside, the heat assaulting her face. Once finished, she slammed the door and then waited. The red sign on the payment pad flashed.
Viv shrugged. She pulled out her card and tapped it on the pad. By the time she sat down again Farrah was deep in thought.
"I was just here for the laundry," Viv explained again, realizing that once repeated it was easy to believe a half truth.
Farrah blinked. "Maybe you were here to fluff and fold, but that one," she pointed to the hallway where Rex disappeared, “he was here to snoop. He's a character, isn't he? Seems like you two are getting close."
"We're neighbors. That's all. I'm not looking for romance at my age."
Farrah shook her head. "And why not? You two look good together. Both fit and smart."
"Fit?"
"You've got a great body—for your age. Plus he's keeping up appearances. Silver fox material, from my perspective. I bet he has a lot of ladies hanging out at his back door after a casino performance."
Viv knew that Rex was still considered a catch. She didn't doubt his ability to attract, it was her ability that she lamented. In the old days I might have gone for someone just like Rex. But that's over for me now. I'm just like Miss Kitty. I prefer my own privacy, looking down on the world from a distance.
She pushed her feet under the chair. When they hit the boots and baby oil she felt the sadness return. Before she could mention the items to Officer Farrah, she caught sight of Rex. He held a dripping plastic bag in one hand, a big smile on his face.
"So if you don't mind I'll put my leg up." He plopped himself down, turning slightly to extend his leg on the empty chair next to him.
"Do you remember my question?" Farrah asked dryly. "What exactly were you looking for behind the counter?"
"Well that's the thing, Officer." Rex adjusted the bag over his knee. "I was looking for the person who runs this place. My dry cleaner is charging too much, raised his prices recently. I need a new place to launder my fancy work shirts. When no one came to help, I thought I'd find a price list behind the counter."
"And did you?" Farrah asked.
"Nothing close," he admitted.