Afterwards, Raymond went back to the restaurant.
It really was his favourite place to eat. The shop was owned by an old couple, although the husband had disappeared many years ago, leaving his wife to take care of their affairs.
No one knew if she'd tried to find him or not. Or if he wanted to be found at all. The old lady managed the restaurant by herself, cooking flavours that reminded customers of home.
When Raymond entered, it was past midnight. The only person still remaining was the old lady.
"Do you remember me?" Raymond asked.
She looked up from sweeping. "No," she said cautiously. "We're closed for the night, you know."
"I know. I, uh, used to come here a lot."
Still, she shook her head. "I get lots of customers."
Raymond's lips quirked up. They had spoken before, and she had always treated him decently. If she really didn't recognize him...
He went to her and extended his hand. "Whenever I come here, your food is really good," he said. "Can I help you clean up?"
Perhaps it was the earnest way he spoke, but the old lady relented. She handed him the broom and let him sweep the restaurant clean.
He worked through the night, sweeping the floor and cleaning tables. Even when the old lady told him to leave, because she could do it herself, he kept going.
After all, at his lowest point, he sat at that exact table in the northwest corner, never expecting to return. Since he had lived in the end, he felt that he owed something to her.
"I'll come back again," he told her, "the next time you need help."
Bemused, she said, "You youngsters are really so enterprising. I'm fine by myself."
"It's not any trouble," Raymond told her.
"Well, I don't know why you'd bother."
He ducked his head, not sure what to say. Seeing him struggle, the old lady sighed.
"It would be good to have someone around to help," she said. "I don't have any family of my own left, but it would've been nice to have a son. If you want to come around from time to time, the best I can offer is a bowl of beef noodles."
"That would be great. Yours is the best in town."
"Really!"
Raymond nodded. "I mean it."