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Patience

I put a lot of thought into my reply to Zoey. In fact, I didn't finish it until Wednesday night, having made and discarded several drafts. The number of attempts was mostly due to content, but also in part to my horrible penmanship- I tended to write in the illegible scrawl of a doctor, something that everyone nagged me about constantly.

But finally I decided that I'd gotten it right, and neat enough to read without a decoder ring.

By the time I made my way to Marceline's Cafe on Thursday I had read and reread Zoey's letter so much that I had it memorized, sadly enough.

I wondered how she would respond to mine? Would she still want to continue communicating with me? I had to stop myself from running to the cafe in my nervous apprehension and impatience.

The first thing I did when I walked in was place my response on Zoey's table, along with a little bouquet of primroses.

"So he finally speaks, after a fashion," Billy announced when I approached the counter. He was clearly amused.

I made an exasperated face at him and pulled out some money.

No comments from the peanut gallery, please.

"What do you do for a living, Hank?" Billy suddenly asked.

I looked at him curiously, unsure of what he was getting at. "I'm a scientist. Genetics research, mostly. Why?"

"How old are you?"

"I turned twenty-three on Tuesday," I replied, still not sure as to what he was getting at.

Billy nodded slowly, as if he was thinking about something. Then he grinned. "I'll tell Marcy. She wanted to be sure it wasn't some homeless bum that was romancing our goddaughter."

I smiled at the thought of me romancing anyone. Here I was, worried Billy would think me a borderline stalker. Apparently not.

"No, I'm not a homeless bum."

Billy made my drink, and after I paid for it, Zoey's drink, and her book I sat in my spot to wait. I wanted to see her reaction to my letter as best I could.

Her eyes were already on her table when she entered the cafe. A small gasp escaped her lips, and she immediately strode over to pick up the flowers and letter.

"Hello to you too, Zoey," Billy greeted her. He sounded like he was on the verge of laughter.

Zoey seemed to shake herself and glanced over at him. "Sorry. Hi, Billy."

"Your usual?"

"In a minute, please," she replied, shucking off her book bag and taking her seat.

And she sat down to read.

"Dear Zoey,

I can't express how happy it made me to receive your letter. You wrote to give me your thanks, but the reality is, I should thank you. You see, I've always been a bit of a recluse, until my friend and mentor urged me to get out more. By random chance I stopped at this cafe, and, though the baked goods are delicious, the reason I keep coming back is you.

Please don't think I'm a stalker, or anything of that sort. I know it sounds creepy to say that I've admired you from afar for months, that seeing you is the highlight of my week, but I promise you I have no ill intentions towards you whatsoever. Mr. and Mrs. Rivers would not allow me to live, otherwise. They both love you very much- though I think Mr. Rivers enjoys vexing you quite a bit.

You were curious as to how I first noticed you. To be honest, it was your beauty that caught my attention in the beginning. The first time I saw you I felt like someone had hit me in the head with a two by four. But then, after watching you for a while (again, I'm so sorry for how terrible it sounds) I delighted in your kindness, and your intelligence. I recognized one of your books as a graduate-level genetics text, and Mr. Rivers mentioned that you're not yet nineteen. Beautiful and a genius? You're better than a dream, Zoey.

As for your conjecture on my motives for remaining anonymous, you are correct- but not for the reason you may think. You say you have a secret, Zoey, but so do I. Mine is so terrible that I fear I will never be anyone's fairy tale prince, let alone yours. And a wonderful person such as you deserves a happily ever after.

It is for that reason I am afraid of revealing myself to you. This 'relationship,' as you say, means very much to me. You have changed the world for me, simply by being yourself. I don't know what I would do, if I were to lose this.

I ask that you allow me to continue, but if you would prefer me to stop you merely need to say the words. I would understand.

Sincerely,

Your Secret Admirer"

Zoey sighed and put the letter down. It was hard to tell what she was thinking, considering my inability to fully see her face. Out of the corner of my eye I saw her sit back in her chair with her arms folded and look out the window.

"Zoey? You ok?" Billy asked, leaning against the counter on her side.

He sounded concerned- I glanced over to see him giving me a reproachful look, as if he was mentally berating me for making Zoey pout.

What were you expecting, Billy? For me to run over and declare myself in front of the entire coffee shop?

Zoey shrugged unhelpfully in reply to his question.

"Want to know something I learned today?" he asked leadingly.

"What?"

"Your secret admirer is a genetics scientist, too," Billy said. I had the feeling he was trying to get a reaction out of her.

Zoey let out a little huff of laughter. She sat there for perhaps thirty more seconds before standing up and walking over to the bookcases.

I glanced up to see her retreating form- she was holding a pen.

"The usual, please," she said on her way past the counter.

Zoey came back soon, holding two books and a dollar.

"Two?"

"Yes. One is for my secret admirer. Please give it to him when you get a chance," she said quietly, sliding one of her purchases towards Billy.

What book had she bought for me? I was practically itching with impatience, because I thought I wouldn't be able to get the book today. But it seemed like Zoey knew this, because she stood, collected her things, and left within half an hour.

I waited ten minutes, just to be safe, before rising and going to the counter again to collect my prize.

Billy was grinning broadly as he slid the book towards me. "This is for you, lover boy. Any idea why she bought you a book of fairy tales?"

Indeed, Zoey had purchased me a copy of Children's and Household Tales by the Brothers Grimm.

Before answering Billy I opened up the frontispiece- I had a suspicion Zoey had written something there because of the pen she carried back into the bookcases.

"To my admirer-

It sounds like I'll have to convince you. But that's fine. I can be patient.

Best Wishes,

Zoey"

I smiled down at the book. It included stories like Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Snow White and The Frog Prince.

The Frog Prince. Wouldn't it be nice if I could turn into a handsome prince if she kissed me? Is she trying to say she still thinks I could be her Prince Charming?

It sounded like Zoey was going to try to convince me to speak to her. And she would be patient with me. Not only was she willing to continue this strange relationship, she wanted more.

Could I give her more?

For the first time, I found myself wondering if Zoey would be more accepting of me because she was a mutant as well. I was relatively sure that was the secret she was referring to in her letter. And even after my warning about my own secret, she was still willing to reach out to me and be patient with my crippling shyness.

Could there be a future for us?

For the first time, I allowed myself to hope.