The Curtains Were Left Open

Room 8 was empty, but someone had left the desert in full view.

The guests in Room 8 checked out this morning.

Nothing unusual.

The bed needed changing, there were two paper cups beside the sink, and a little sand had found its way onto the floor.

But the curtains were wide open.

Usually, we find them closed.

This morning, the light filled the room, stretching across the carpet and reaching almost to the door.

Beyond the window, there was not much to see.

The parking lot.
The road.
A long stretch of desert beyond it.

Maybe that was the point.

Someone had pulled a chair over to the window.

It was still there when we came in.

Facing the desert.

We put the chair back, changed the sheets, and swept the sand from the floor.

We left the curtains open.

The next guest can decide what to do with them.

Room 8 is ready again.

Redbird Motel