The lattice of the Quiet opened along the front seam at oh-six-thirty-three.
Caleb saw it from the curb.
He stayed seated.
He kept his eyes off the door of the laundromat.
He kept his eyes on the asphalt and he let the change at the edge of his peripheral vision finish before he turned his head.
The seam opened the height of a woman.
Helena Park stepped out of the Quiet onto the bleached linoleum of the laundromat floor.
She stood for a count of three with her hand against the inside of the frame.
She walked to the door of the shop.
She opened the door.
She stepped onto the sidewalk in front of the laundromat in a post-office shirt that was wrinkled and untucked on the right side.
***
Iris stood up.
Caleb stood up.
They did not move toward her.
