Author's Note: A short scene that popped into my head when I saw all of those E/O challenges appear on Sunday. Even though I hadn't a clue what they were at the time the word 'flannel' got me thinking. So here we are. Set a day or two before 9.03 "I'm No Angel", so not really spoilery. (And it's official, I can't write the word tumble without writing Tumblr first and having to correct it.)
Tumble Dried
She does laundry for herself and a few of the other girls and one of the guys at the shelter. She's been here a while, seen a lot of lost faces, but never one that's stared at the tumble dryer with such fascination. He was there when she started her load, and it looks like he hasn't moved from his chair since.
She watches him out of the corner of her eye as she pulls the clothes out of her machine and piles the basket high. As she's walking past him the basket tips, and one of her friend's flannel shirts falls to the floor. Before she can act, he's out of his chair and bending over to pick it up. He hands it to her with a shy smile.
"Thanks, honey. You're an angel," she says.
To her surprise his eyes grow wide and he takes a step back, away from her. "No. No, I'm not," he says hastily. His gaze darts around the room, almost as if he's in a panic. "I, er, I have to go. Now." With that he turns away and practically runs from the room.
She frowns at his retreating back, wondering what she could possibly have said to cause that reaction.
The next time she comes down with the laundry his chair's empty, and she wonders when it had even become his chair.
She doesn't see him again, and knows better than to wonder why. That's what happens to folks at the shelter. Sometimes people just disappear.
But she doesn't forget his face either. And, do you know, watching the tumble dryer is quite relaxing.
The End