The Empty Half Hour

At three o'clock, Mara still had not eaten her sandwich. She had been busy all morning in her salon, a shop where she cut people's hair. Then she had agreed to cut another customer's hair without a booking.

That evening, she opened her booking book. Every day was full. She marked twelve thirty to one for lunch each day.

On Monday, she told callers about her new hours. One customer chose another shop because she needed a lunchtime booking. Mara almost removed her lunch break, but she did not.

At twelve twenty-five, her regular customer Davi arrived.

"Just the sides?" he asked."Ten minutes?"

Mara knew his hair would take twenty minutes. After that, she would need to change the towels.

"I can do two fifteen," she said.

"I'm working then."

"So am I. But I'm free at nine tomorrow."

He agreed to come at nine.

At twelve thirty, Mara closed for lunch and sat outside. Her soup was still warm. At first, she felt she should be working. Then she began to enjoy her food.

Davi arrived at nine the next morning. Mara was ready for him.

"I like knowing when I'll be finished," he said.

"So do I," Mara said.

After lunch, she washed her bowl. She would need it again tomorrow.