Good morning, Gorgeous. On her pillow.
It's okay to say it again. Hello, beautiful. Left on the front desk.
With God, all things are possible. I jumped and touched a star. Handed to her along with the charity bread from the nuns.
You are my diamond in the rough. Given to her by a random person on the street.
Red nervously sat on her hands, waiting for more cards. Each one had been a short, sweet, loving note. Each one was a plain, folded, moderately white cardstock. Each one hadn't been signed.
This had been going on long enough. It had started a few weeks ago with a simple note. I've admired you for a long time. No name. That was Sunday. That Friday, another note came. I loved how you bought bread for those poor children. You're so giving. No name. Five days later, she got two notes. You're beautiful today. How could anyone miss your eyes? No name. They came faster, with increased amount of letters and apparent affection. No name. A couple days ago, she had received five notes. And still, no clue whatsoever to whom her secret admirer could be.
A little girl cautiously approached her. Her wide eyes peered up into her own. Red smiled reassuringly at her grubby hands and face.
The little girl cracked a small grin, toying with the torn hem of her stained jumper. "Do you sell papers?"
"Yes I do. It's hard work sometimes. Do you have a job?" The girl's face took on a serious look.
"Yeah. I'm sposed ta give you this." The little girl shoved a piece of paper into Red's hands.
"Wait a second, alright?" The girl stopped and turned. With both hands she clumsily pulled her dirty blond hair behind her shoulders.
Red carefully unfolded the piece of paper. You're everything I've ever wanted. Please meet me tonight in front of Greely at six.
Red quickly scribbled something on the back, folded it, then handed it back to the girl. "Here, bring this back to whoever sent you. And here," she fished a dime out of her pocket and gave it to her.
The little girl took it with wide eyes. "Oh, thank you miss! Thank you!"
Red smiled as the little girl ran with the note down the street and around a corner.
- - - - - - - -
"Mister? Mister?"
The little girl's plead brought him out of the shadows. "What?"
The girl recoiled. "Just…she wroted somethin' back."
He smiled. "Thanks. Now get along."
The girl nodded, shot a small smile, and ran out of the alley.
He shook his head, then carefully opened the note. Through the filtered sunlight allowed into the dark passage, he strained to read: I'm pleased you like me so. I agree to meet you. Unless you have a plan already, which I assume you do, I have an idea. Six in front of Greely. I'll see you then.
Red
He looked up and let a toothy smile onto his face. He would let her have her way. For now.
- - - - - - - -
At six that night, Red sat on Greely's pedestal, swinging her feet with a rhythm only she heard. She'd washed up, but only put her street clothes back on. If he already liked her because of her deeds, then why try to improve the hopeless?
She sighed and leaned back against the cast-iron knee. The streets were still pretty busy, last minute errand runners and couples holding hands. Families coming back from a day's outing. The nightlife starting to arouse. She slipped a hand into her pocket, feeling the notes she had brought along. There were a lot of them.
"Ya know, Greely, I think this secret admirer stuff might be too good ta be true."
Red sighed and shook her head. I'm really losin' it. I'm talkin' to a statue!
"I hope it's better than your wildest dreams."
The voice shocked her out of her thought patterns. She looked down to see (cliffy! C15)…