Randy hightailed it to the laundromat. This is the day I earn my wings. He smiled, confident in his little miracle, as Miles had put it.
“Hey Miles,” he called out. “Aren’t you going to be here to witness my success?” There was no response.
Marvin arrived first, which Randy assumed happened every week. As expected, he waited for Pauline to enter and choose her washing machines before he selected his.
She arrived a few minutes later, stopped inside the door, and scanned the room. Randy hoped she noticed Marvin, but it became clear that she was only checking out occupancy before choosing which aisle to head down. She walked around to her right and chose the middle machines.
Before Marvin had the chance to get over to that side of the room, a lady who had followed Pauline in took the washer to Pauline’s immediate left. The one on the right was already taken. He sighed and grabbed a washer directly across from her. He had to go a couple over for the second machine.
Randy watched with growing disappointment as Pauline sat in a chair and started reading the novel he’d seen lying out when he visited her apartment. When her washers stopped, she got up and transferred the clothes into one of the stacked dryers along the wall. She then returned to her novel.
So far, Marvin had made no attempt to approach her. Randy started worrying, having seen no sign of the panties. When Pauline started to remove her garments from the dryer, he saw Marvin produce them from his shirt pocket. Randy smiled. He finally worked up the courage.
Pauline rolled the basket with the built-in hanger she’d used to collect her clothes to the folding table. Randy watched Marvin make his way over to her. Yes! Here we go. A huge grin appeared on his face, but disappeared immediately to be replaced by a dropped jaw when he observed Marvin slip the panties into the basket unnoticed by Pauline. Randy sneered when Marvin returned to his side of the room.
“What did you take?” a man asked.
“Take?” Marvin’s eyebrows rose.
Randy grit his teeth. This isn’t happening.
“I saw you go over there and reach down when the lady had her back turned. I better tell her to check her things.”
“I didn’t take anything. I put something back.”
The man frowned. “What are you, a pervert?”
Marvin’s eyes grew wide. “No. That’s not it at all. She dropped her panties last week. I was returning them.”
“I see. So, you’re a stalker. Hey Miss,” he called out.
Marvin made a beeline for the door, leaving his clothes in the dryer.
Randy closed his eyes and slapped his forehead, leaving his hand there as he tilted his head toward the ceiling. He sighed.
“Those consequences are a killer, aren’t they?”
Randy removed his hand and opened his eyes. He turned his head to see Miles standing next to him, grinning. “You knew this would happen, didn’t you?” He noticed Miles twist his facial expression.
“How could I? I told you, we can’t interfere with free will.”
“But you suspected.”
“I didn’t expect that outcome, but I thought it was all too easy to succeed. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have been chosen for this assignment.”
Randy sighed. “Well, I failed. What happens now?”
Miles frowned. “What happens is you regroup and find another way to bring them together.”
“You mean I get another chance?”
Miles gave him a half-smile. “Why would you be given three miracles to use?”
“So, I have three chances.” He caught sight of Miles shaking his head. “Why are you frowning, now?”
“Because you are looking at this as three strikes and you’re out. You’re missing the gist of the assignment. Just because you get them to meet doesn’t guarantee they become an item. You have to create the environment indicative of true love. The miracles are only a tool at your disposal. There are only two ways to fail, and one of them is giving up.”
“You told me there was only one way.”
“In technical terms, that’s correct.”
“Technical terms?”
“Let’s not weigh ourselves down in semantics. For all intensive purposes—”
“That’s intents and purposes.” Randy rolled his eyes.
Miles grinned. “I never did get that right, but take my word for it. There’s only two.”
“Okay. What’s the other?”
“I’m not at liberty to say, and you should be concentrating on passing, anyway. Now, Pauline has a weekend ahead and no date. I’d say you have your work cut out for you with a short window, if you are to make that deadline.”
“Two weeks to make them attend a weekend as boyfriend-girlfriend? That’s impossible.”
“And you being here is, too.”
Randy nodded. “I get your point.”
Miles glared at Randy. “Then what are you going to do about it?”
He gave Miles a half-smile. “Regroup.”
Miles smiled. “You can do this. I have faith in you.” He snapped his fingers and disappeared.
Randy stuck around the laundromat to await Marvin’s return. Marvin waited long enough for the other man to be able to finish folding his clothes and leave before daring to return.
Randy chose to stay invisible, at least for the moment, so he could follow Marvin around undetected. The man didn’t bother to fold his clothes, opting to leave as quickly as possible. Randy rode home with him and smiled when he saw the house Marvin pulled into. It was quaint, but more than adequate size for a family.
When Randy followed him in through the front door, he got an immediate impression that the man lived alone, but hadn’t always. The tiny hallway had a half-round table beneath a mirror against the right wall. Marvin dropped his keys into a small bowl placed on the tabletop next to a framed photograph. There were four people in the picture. Marvin was the man in the middle. An older man stood next to him. There was a distinct resemblance. Has to be his father. His mother is the older woman on the far right. The younger woman next to him... his sister? The pose didn’t seem to fit that assumption. The way his arm was around her felt a little too familiar to be a sibling, unless they were twins, maybe? Certainly not identical.
When Randy followed Marvin into the living room, he saw several framed photographs on the far wall. There was a picture of the older woman from the other photograph. She was a few decades younger in the photo, but the resemblance was undeniable. Next to it was a picture of a much younger woman. That must be his sister. On the other side of his mother, his father’s army portrait was placed. The only picture he had of himself was in a cap and gown and placed next to his father’s picture. College? He moved in closer. He’s too young. High school. Other pictures, including different trips, scenery, and campsites next to lakes, were definitely the main theme of the wall.
There was one notable absence. A picture had been removed, leaving an empty space surrounded by the other pictures. Randy could tell there had been one there. The paint on the wall had faded around the rectangular shape from the sunlight hitting that wall. The girl in the picture on the table is missing, maybe?
The phone rang in the next room over. Randy followed Marvin into the kitchen.
“Hello? Hey, Ted. What’s up?”
Randy watched as Marvin listened for a long spell without saying a word. His expression changed several times, however.
“Wow! Is everyone all right?” After another brief pause, “Well, that’s good. I guess the car is history... Really? I’m surprised it only sustained that little damage... next Saturday night? Nothing planned... Cindy? I know her... I’m not really... I know it’s been a year, but... I know, and I will, but you can’t just forget eight years and start over... Well, maybe you can. I can’t.”
Must be that girl in the picture, probably the missing one too. I wonder what happened to her.
“I know she left me... No, I don’t expect her to return... Thank you, but I must have done something wrong. Why else would she have looked elsewhere?”
That answers that.
“Maybe if I’d married her, she wouldn’t have left. I really don’t want to talk about this... I’ll get back in the game. I promise.” The call ended and he returned to the living room to retrieve his laundry to take upstairs to the bedroom.
Randy watched in fascination as Marvin meticulously folded his undergarments and placed them neatly in the drawer of his dresser—boxers in one and T-shirts in another, socks in a third. He then hung his shirts and slacks in the closet on one end, keeping them separate from the suits. At least he believes in style. Randy snickered, thinking about Pauline’s total lack in that department.
Marvin returned to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator door. Randy stood behind and observed the inside of a pretty barren appliance. Except for a carton of milk, there were a few condiments, what appeared to be a bag of either nectarines or peaches, and three familiar white boxes with wire keeping the tops closed.
Marvin removed two of them and retrieved a dinner plate from a nearby cabinet. Then he pulled a fork out from the drawer under the microwave. He carried the items over to the table and proceeded to empty one of the boxes onto the plate. It was plain white rice. He covered it with the contents of the other box. Randy smiled. General Tso’s Chicken. Good stuff. Sweet and spicy.
He picked up the plate to carry over to the microwave, but before he took two steps, the phone rang again. He set the plate down and picked up the receiver.
“Hello? Hey Rod. What’s up? Me? I was just about to nuke a Chinese... The Spud Factory? Yeah, I’ve seen it, but I’ve never been inside... Tonight? What about Donna? Oh yeah, the baby shower. Sure, why not? I can eat leftovers anytime. See you in twenty.”
He went to another cabinet and grabbed the plastic wrap to cover his plate before sticking it back in the refrigerator. Then he picked up his keys and rushed out the door.
Randy joined him in the car, and he drove to the restaurant. It was only a short drive, but Randy noticed the same grocery store Pauline shopped at along the way. It got the wheels spinning in his head. He pushed them aside when they reached the restaurant.
Rodney arrived at about the same time and followed Marvin in. A young waitress in her teens, by Randy’s impression, led the two men to a small wooden table near the center of the room.
“I couldn’t sit around in my den with a bunch of yapping women above me,” Rodney said.
Marvin laughed. “I’m sure it wasn’t that bad.”
Randy saw Rodney smile. “No, it wasn’t. I just felt out of place even going to the kitchen, because I had to walk through the room they were in.”
“On the bright side, it’s not your baby.”
“You got that right. I think three is enough.” Rodney’s face got a little serious. “But I must admit, kids are a real joy to have around.”
“I’m sure,” Marvin replied.
“So when are you going to get some?”
“You know that answer.”
Rodney sighed. “You need to get back in the game.”
Randy grinned. Where did I hear that one, before?
“Seriously?” Marvin grimaced. Randy took note of his discomfort.
“Yes, seriously.”
“Come on, Rod. You can’t be in a relationship for eight years and then start over like you never were.”
Rodney rolled his eyes. “She’s been gone a year, and she’s not coming back. You need to get over it.”
“Maybe if I had committed sooner,” Marvin said.
“Then you’d be dealing with a divorce.”
“You don’t know that.”
“No... I don’t. But you don’t know you wouldn’t be, either. She met that guy at work after you’d been together seven years. She would have met him even if you were married. None of this was your fault.”
“But she might not have—”
“We can debate it ‘til we’re blue in the face,” Rodney interrupted. “It still doesn’t change the present situation.”
Marvin pursed his lips. “I know.”
Randy frowned. He’s a broken record. Same excuse, different friend.
Rodney shook his head. “Well? When are you going to do something about it?”
Marvin gave him a half-smile and raised his brows. “Actually, I have my eyes on someone.”
Randy grimaced. “You need more than eyes, dude,” he said.
“Oh?” Rodney’s eyes opened wide.
Marvin nodded.
“Who is she? Where did you two meet?”
Marvin grinned. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”
“I’ll be the judge of that.”
“The laundromat.”
Randy saw Rodney grin.
“I can see that. What’s her name?”
“Um... Judy. We’ve never bothered with last names.”
Randy rolled his eyes. First names either. He reflected on earlier. Judy, meet Roger.
“Have you asked her out yet?”
“I’m still getting to know her,” Marvin replied.
“You know, if you’re meeting there every week, she’s probably waiting for you to ask her.”
“I’m getting up the nerve.”
“Your nerves might lose her if you don’t act.” Rodney smiled.
Marvin didn’t say anything.
He’s hoping the discussion dies. Randy shook his head. I am in for a real challenge. He returned to the white room to think.
When he arrived, he sat on the edge of the bed and looked around. He gritted his teeth. How can I think if I’m in an enclosed room with nothing but white? It’s claustrophobic. What I need is a window. A window appeared on the wall to his left, across from the door. His jaw dropped. Then he smiled and got up to walk over and look out. Clouds surrounded the room, just as he’d seen when Miles took him outside through the door. He squinted, trying to glimpse anything beyond. It became clear that there was a limit to the distance he’d be able to see. Must be some sort of barrier that won’t allow anyone on the outside to see this room. Either that or I’m not allowed to see Heaven.
He glanced downward. The Earth was clearly visible. At first, he thought he recognized the portion in view. However, he soon realized the reason he did was that he was in the exact same position he’d been in from the start.
Miles appeared behind him. Randy sensed the presence. “Hello, my shadow.” He turned to face his supervisor. “Tell me, do you get a choice of cologne up here, or did you die while wearing it?”
“Wondering if you’ll smell like you do for eternity?” Miles replied.
Randy grinned. “I don’t care how I smell as long as there is an eternity for me.”
“Oh, there is. It’s up to you what eternity it will be.”
He nodded once with a smirk. “Right.”
“I see you’re starting to learn.”
Randy raised his eyebrows. “Learn?”
Miles pointed. “The window.”
“Yes. I didn’t expect it, but I see I have to be cautious in my thoughts.”
Miles laughed. “Right. Careful what you wish for.”
“That isn’t my second miracle, is it?”
“Did it affect your assignments?”
“Well no, but—”
“There you go.”
Randy smiled and nodded. “I get it.” Make my floor see-through. The floor appeared to disappear. He looked down. “My room hovers over the same spot on Earth at all times, doesn’t it?”
“Yes. This is your little corner of the world.”
“There are others like me?”
“Of course. You aren’t, or should I say weren’t, the only one on the fence who deserved to earn a chance at passage.”
“And all I have to do is find a way to open the gate.”
Miles smiled. “I have every confidence in you.” In true Miles fashion, he snapped his fingers and disappeared.