Rubik's Cube: The Unending Complexity

Chapter Two

Chapter Two

Declan sighed heavily and adjusted his hat under the heavy piles of snow falling from the sky. He hated this part of the job most of all. Why did anyone think it alright to mess with his day with their own problems? It’s not as if he didn’t have his own matters to attend to. No, he had to babysit people and say when enough was enough. He couldn’t help questioning God why he was responsible for all the overenthusiastic workers in the world. He was much more comfortable with mundane people who went about life, taking punches and not needing to put all their effort into one thing.

Unfortunately, God didn’t much care about that insignificant concern in Declan’s life, or possibly just didn’t care about him. Either way, it didn’t make much difference. He still had to carry out the things he needed to do. This was one such job and as he crossed the heavily layered alley, he tried to scramble together a face that seemed anything but indifferent. He banged on the faded green door in front of him before he could analyze how well he covered it up, because he knew he had been sloppy.

The young, previously prosperous woman yanked open the door as if she had a grudge with it and upon seeing him, her face abruptly came together. Declan, though not naturally observant could not help but take note of her expression the instant she opened the door. It was hopeful and soft, as if hoping to apologize and invite in someone you mistreated. That visage was only there for a blink of an eye, because the face that had greeted her was one she probably wished to forget. I wonder who else she was expecting, Declan thought, catching a wry smile before it emerged and brought his attention back to her.

“What do you want?” She asked, folding her arms obstinately across her chest. Yep, she’s still mad at me. Oh well, she’ll get over it soon enough. When he remained silent, she leaned into her doorway and tilted her head pointedly as if to say “Yeah, well, get on with it”.

He obliged, but not eagerly. “We just decided it was time to apologize. Our actions may have seemed silly, but they were for a purpose, and ultimately, they benefit everyone,” Declan said, spouting off his professional duty with enough class as he could stand as he waited for the door to slam in his face.

However, the door remained open and she appeared to contemplate his words. “Benefit everyone, huh?” she said softly, “Somehow I believe that, only one thing. I think you mean everybody except me!” She shouted at him, forcing his eyes shut and he repulsed slightly off the step. Ugh, I should have known she’d make a scene; always a dramatic.

Declan swallowed a sigh and spoke again, “We’re truly sorry. I mean, seeing you in this neighborhood is bad enough.” He gesticulated down along the cramped alleyway and his eyes glanced up the space between the two buildings, peering up through the fire escapes which were draped with snow. Her previous place was on the polar opposite side of town where snow was shoveled for you and mirrors and glass surrounded all sides of you, as if to congratulate you for being so successful.

She scowled at him, “Oh, as if you didn’t know what would happen when you decided to bite me in the ass. I was the best you had but yet you still burned me, doesn’t seem very smart to me,” she spoke arrogantly, but he knew she was trying desperately to mask the humility she’d been forced into.

“Look, stop taking this personally. Remember that it wasn’t my decision. Just because I was your direct superior doesn’t mean I had anything to do with it,” he said, thoroughly annoyed now that she was directing every bit of malice at him. He had not contributed to any part of the situation and he was much more contented by that fact, but it in no way lessened how much effort he had to put forward to fix it.

“Hmm, then why are you the one standing at my door?” she asked cuttingly, cocking her head to the side and Declan just wanted to walk away and leave her standing there wondering if she just blew her only shot.