Scenes -- II

She blasted through the door with a burst of cold air and frenetic energy. As usual, her hair was held partially back by a woven teal headband. The hair not held in place stuck out at all angles. She wore her old New Balance running shoes, a pair of leggings, and a hooded sweatshirt that went midway down her thighs. 

She looked at the girl at the counter and said, "You look like you've been working hard."

The girl knew this was not a compliment. It wasn't a comment about the girl's work ethic or long hours. It was a comment about the bags under her eyes and the haggard hanging of her hair. 

"I'm sorry I don't look as good today," she said to the woman.

"What?"

"I said -- I'm sorry that I'm not looking so good today."

"Oh, well, that's okay," the woman said as she looked the girl up and down. "You usually look refreshed, but we're all human."

Scenes -- I

His fingers shook as he placed the key in her hand. She loved the slight tremor of his hands and felt it was a little secret they shared. He knew that she knew that he wasn't as tough as he once was. 

"I always mean to tell you that you look very pretty," he said as he looked up from their hands to her face.

"Thank you, Walter," she said, "you are so kind."

"Well, it's true."

"Well, thank you. You made just my day."

And he had.