186 WORD STORY: Motel Love Look

-- He jogged slowly out of the rain like he didn't mind it.  He was polite not to rush her, so she hurried for him, and slid his card.  He was tired in that way like drunkeness.  He smiled like a yokel but he had a nice suit coat.  He had an Amex.  This was a Super 8.  
-- She ran her bit: Continental breakfast, one card or two, park your car at entrance C.  
-- She realized she must have liked him: as she spoke she wondered how she looked.  Standing behind the desk, touching credit cards gave her confidence to look in his eyes.
--  She cleaned the rooms.  That they put her up front, in a pinch, was Hammad's acknowledgement of how hard she worked, and also that she could handle it out here.  
-- This man was not handsome so much: he was short, he was balding, but short and balding without shame.  He had colorless close together eyes, kind eyes.  And glasses.  And a great suit.  He asked who delivered food.  She recommended the Thai place.  And he listened why she thought it was good Thai.  Maybe this is falling in love.


(a revision was made on 29jul11)