the back corner across from the broom closet. From what Harriet could tell, the walls inside were bleak. Painted cinder blocks and plaster. Not one picture. She had never seen inside before. Although there was a window, it was the type that only went one way, and on the other side it was mirror. Harriet wondered why a laundromat would need such a curious device. The thought of this man staring at her through the window from inside his secret cove, without her knowing it, made her uneasy. Or was it something else about him? Perhaps that Harriet thought she knew him. Really knew him. Like he reminded her of someone close. Or far away.
Harriet just stood frozen for a moment. �Yes it is,� she said.
�I guess that would bring you here then, wouldn't it?� At this the man gave a chuckle and leaned forward slightly, across the folding table towards Harriet. �Looks like an awful lot, too, I'd say. Don't have so much myself. No family so it tends to cut down. You must have kids. You got kids?�
�Yes. A couple.�
�Yeah, I thought so. And a boy, too, from what I can tell. Little rascals! They're dirty little buggers, ain't they?�
�They tend to be that way,� said Harriet, trying to force a smile. She had her hands in her pockets now, fiddling with the ring.
�Well, it's a blessing, that's what I say. Wouldn't you say the same thing? Of course you do, who am I kidding? Little angels I bet.� He smiled at Harriet, and held it for several seconds, then he started rocking back and forth on his feet when neither of them said a word for a moment. �Just came out to check on a few things. Make sure everything's working fine. Hope everything's been working fine for you. Got a few things to run over, so don't mind me at all. I'll just be
a shadow. A little mouse. You won't even know I'm still here.�
The man strode over to the candy machines at the front of the laundromat and started banging on them and jiggling the levers and knobs. He put a coin into one of them and twisted the handle until a candy bar popped out the side. He lifted it to the light, as if to inspect it, then turned and tossed it in the garbage. Turning back around, he started towards the back of the room again. Meanwhile, Harriet was folding her clothes, having accidentally put one of her own shirts on Nicholas's pile.
�I've been meaning to ask,� she said, �where is your bathroom here? I tried that door, but it's just a closet full of cleaning supplies.�
The man's face turned red. Harriet wasn't sure why. �Yes. We don't have a bathroom,� he said. �Used to, I mean. Not anymore. Too much hassle, you know. All the cleaning. I'd clean her one week, then she'd be dirty the next. Wasn't worth my time. Had her torn out couple of years back and put an office in. Wouldn't you know, it cut down on costs, too, by golly. Do you know how much I spend a month just for water? Well, I'd have to take a look at the figures, but it's up there. Just wasn't worth it.�
�I see. So no bathroom at all?�
�No, ma'am. Not here at least. You'd have to walk around the corner for that. Nice new gas station two doors down. Got all the amenities. Goddamn sensors that make the toilets flush and the water turn on and the paper towel shoot out. Never heard of such a thing! Though they do ask that you buy something when you go in. You know, out of courtesy.� He raised his hand slightly towards Harriet, as if to wave, in a gesture that