The Knight of the Fallen Moon by Patrick Councilor

Superman was running late. He stopped by Café Nervosa for his double cappuccino, half-caf, nonfat milk, with just enough foam to be aesthetically pleasing, but not so much that it would leave a moustache. He sat inside to avoid the cold as the sun started to fade on the Emerald City.

"Oh," he said aloud as he reached for his cell phone. He had almost forgotten to call Frasier back. He flipped it open and speed-dialed. "Frasier, allow me to start by saying, I am so sorry to hang up on you like that."

"Niles, what are you doing? What would call for that unsocial behavior you board-sided me with?"

"I've been desperately working on something, but I would rather not disclose that information, in fear it may not pan out."

"Where are you? I hear voices in the background?"

"If you must know, I am at Nervosa."

"Why not come over for a sherry?"

"I'm waiting for an important phone call and I need to be alone when I receive it."

"And why is that?"

"I would rather deal with this on my own."

"I see."

"Oh, I know that tone. Don't be so defensive."

"I'm not defensive."

"It's not in your words, but your tone speaks volumes."

"Well, can you blame me?"

"I will fill you in when I find something out."

"Fair enough."

"How are things back there?"

"Well, I have gone through a pad of paper trying to come up with something for the card for flowers to send Ruby."

"I was referring to Daphne."

"Ah, well… she's spent the entire day in her room. Things are not good."

"Poor angel. Tell her that I am thinking of her."

"Of course."

"Now, what is it about this card?"

"Noel lead me to believe that Ruby was his second cousin. Every time we got close, I couldn't get Noel out of my mind."

"Oh, Frasier."

"I know. I know. She's Roz's second cousin. Now I have to apologize for canceling a big date that we were already on."

"I see. Have you called her?"

"Yes, but she's not taking my calls."

"Well, what do you have so far?"

"Roses are red, Violets are blue…"

"I see, you've taken the traditionally desperate approach."

"Niles, please."

"Alright… how about 'Roses may be red, Violets may be blue, But it doesn't matter anymore, Since I am no longer with you."

"Oh, you know, that's not half bad."

"Feel free to use it."

"Thank you Niles."

"Anytime Frasier. I will leave you to write the rest. Please check on Daphne for me."

"I will." Frasier hung up. It took him anther fifteen minutes but he finished what he wanted the card to read and he called the order in for the flowers to be delivered to her house tonight. The card would read:

Roses may be red,

Violets may be blue,

But it doesn't matter anymore,

Since I am no longer with you.

There are many chiropractors in this city,

That can stretch and pull me all apart,

But there's only one you;

The only one who can straighten out my heart.

He hung up the phone feeling a little better about things. He couldn't help worry about Daphne, though. He knew she must have been resting peacefully, but she wasn't.

She wasn't in her room at all. She was out sitting on the balcony floor. In her hands was a rosary that her Granny Moon had given her when she left Manchester. Daphne looked down at it and her tears fell upon it. She was the victim and she knew that it wasn't in anyone's power to help her now. The city started lighting up as the darkness surpassed the light.