The people at the Laundromat.

I stand outside and smoke cigarettes watching them all inside.
They wander around with their laundry and their kids.
Two little kids sharing a large broken down reclining chair reading a book they found on a shelf.
They look like they don't want to be here but they do not have a choice and they need their clothes washed.
The staff walk around carefree as the people come and go.
Outside the air is cool and the streets are frenzied with cars and people.
Coming and going from fast food drive throughs, coffee spots and late night pizza places.
The people moving around seem low class.
Why are they out right now?
Where are they going?
Why are they going?
I stand at a distance from them all and I can't help judging them even though I'm one of them.
I always have been.
I don't want to talk to them and divert eye contact whenever I can.
I'm just on a count down to dry clothes.
More come into the place but I stay outside.
I know there are no conversation waiting for me inside.
The large flat screen TV hanging from the ceiling seems to distract some of the people but no one stares to long. It's hard to watch TV in a place like this when you have to keep an eye on the comers and goers.
The place is constantly being cleaned yet everything is filthy.
They very air makes my skin itchy.
I cannot wait to leave.
It's strange being in a place that I can't wait to leave knowing I will certainly be back in only a few days.
I will see some of the same people and I will never know them.
The same overnight staff will be there with their miserable faces.
The Winter is coming and I know the company there will be getting worse as the weather gets colder.
The unwanted will gather there everynight to stay warm not to wash their dirty clothes that their wearing.
One of them will come up to me and ask for a cigarette or a dollar.
I usually oblige.
This will usually get rid of them quickly ending the conversation they use to work up the courage to ask for a cigarette or a dollar.
Despite how badly I feel for these people I do not want to be around them.
No one does and they know it.
It's not Winter yet so for now it will be these regulars I'll ignore.
I'll ball up my clothes,stuff them in my basket and I'll drive home.