Benny wrung the remaining excess water from her hair, then stepped gingerly from the shower, clad in an oversize terrycloth towel, provided generously by her host. Breathing in the steam from her hot shower, she faced the mirror, contemplating for a moment what to write on the steam-fogged surface. It had always been tradition in her house to leave a nice message on the mirror after a shower, a tradition that she had shown Ryan, so many months ago.

She ran a water-wrinkled hand through her hair as she mentally ran through a series of her favourite Beatles' quotes.

All you need is love…How does it feel to be one of the beautiful people, now that you know who you are?...Eight days a week is not enough to show I care…Ah, look at all the lonely people…I'm fixing a hole where the rain gets in and stops my mind from wandering…Happiness is a warm gun…

In his bedroom, Ryan listened to the bathroom's silence following his guest's shower, knowing exactly what she was doing. She probably thinks I've forgotten…

Smiling broadly to herself, Benny nodded proudly as she decided upon a quote, and started writing it neatly on the mirror with her index finger.

Ryan could barely hold back a laugh as he heard the familiar squeaking of Benny's finger upon the fogged mirror. She had no doubt decided upon an intelligent, thought-provoking Beatles quote, that he would look up to ensure that he would be knowledgeable in future conversation.

A few minutes later, she emerged, clean and dressed, damp hair strewn across her shoulders.

"I'm done in the bathroom!" She called to Ryan as she headed towards the kitchen, checking the clock on her way. Almost eight. I should hurry up if I'm going to make it on time to work.

Ryan appeared behind her in the kitchen. "I spoke to Horatio this morning. He doesn't want me coming in for a few days." From his expression, it was obvious that it was a point of bitterness, one he had argued in vain. "So I guess I'll just stay here today…until you get back?" He hadn't meant for it to sound like a question, but he also didn't want to give the impression that he would assume that she would be back everyday after work. Maybe she doesn't want to stay here. That's fine.

Ben nodded. "Sounds good. If you need anything just give me a call anytime." A brief, not entirely awkward, moment passed between them, as they silently noticed the resemblance to their old relationship, where they had one another on speed dial, to be contacted on a whim. "I'd better get going now." She added quietly, brushing past him on her way out of the kitchen. "I'll see you tonight."

Ryan watched her grab her jacket from the front closet and open the door. "Bye, Ben!" He added suddenly. Watching her walk away just then had been a surprisingly painful experience.

She turned around at the door and gave him a smile. No, the smile. The one I love most. The one where you feel like she's so happy to be where she is and the next time she sees you, she'll smile like she's missed you.

Though he didn't know it, Ryan was giving Benny the same smile that he was admiring on her.

By the time Ryan remembered about Benny's message in the bathroom, it had all but faded from the mirror. Luckily, it had only been a few minutes and enough remained of it to be legible, or enough so that the necessity for him to squint was minimal. He braced himself on the counter as he deciphered her slanted writing:

Daylight is good at arriving at the right time. It's not always going to be this grey.

He stared at it for a long time after he had understood the writing, trying to get inside of her head, comprehend what she had been thinking. On the one hand, it seemed so optimistic: daylight is good at arriving at the right time.

Not that I was ever very good at poetry analysis, but I would say that daylight is a metaphor for a happy, new beginning.

He smiled at the thought, glad that Benny was looking forward with optimism. Then he remembered the latter portion of the message, and frowned as he took it into consideration: it's not always going to be this grey.

So melancholy! I didn't realize that 'it' was grey. I wonder if I'll ever make her unconditionally happy.

And for a long time, Ryan Wolfe stared at the fading message in the mirror, wishing that for just one time in his life, he could have an open conversation with someone and not have to interpret the hidden meanings that their words represented, but knowing that he caused his loved ones to wish the same of him.

He suddenly laughed, realizing the words that had come to mind as he considered the situation: instant karma.