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Chapter 6
Time To Write
Alex adjusted her position on her bed. She felt apprehension building in her as she started over again. It's only one page. How could he answer all my questions in one page? What kind of investigator are you? She sighed.
'Dear Alex,
Please call me Bobby. I hear enough of Goren, Sergeant, and Robert over here . Bobby, sounds friendlier, and easier to remember.'
"Okay, Bobby it is." She scooted down on her bed, stretching out on her back, using her pillow to prop herself up. She read the letter slowly, savoring every word on the page.
'It's vellum. I mean, the paper and envelope are made of vellum.'
Alex furrowed her brow. "How did you know I was wondering that? Can you read minds? Okay, from where?" She squealed after reading the next few lines.
'It's an unusual paper, and I thought that it would make writing and receiving a letter on this, a pleasant experience. What do you think? Although I bought it in Germany, it's actually made in France.'
Alex smiled. "I think. I think you can read minds. You're right...at least about the receiving part of it. I think it would be fun to write on it too."
'You've met my mother. She has given me a love for books. I even have a library card here, and visit it quite often.'
Alex tilted her head against the pillow, looking at the ceiling.. "I wonder what kind of books you like to read the most? Can you read and speak German? Of course, you'd have to, if you go to the library over there."
'Fiction, unless I am on a case, then, of course I use books for reference. It helps that I am fluent in German. There are so many good contemporary authors here.'
Alex smiled, feeling a warmth coming over her. It's almost like you're sitting right here talking to me. She closed her eyes trying to imagine the sound of his voice. Slowly opening them again, she found her place on the page.
'I have one older brother, Frank. He and I are not close. I believe, he is in between jobs right now.'
"That's a shame, Bobby. Family is very important. Family...." She stopped, remembering her visit with his mother. "On the other hand, if your brother is anything like your mom, maybe not being close is a good thing."
'I do like to travel. I have been to several countries. As far as staying in, I am not sure. Like you, I have toyed with the idea of being a detective.'
She smiled the page, trying to imagine what it would be like to go from country to country. I wonder if I will ever get the chance to travel like he does?
'Well, I see that I am near the end of the page. I considered writing one long letter, but since I send so few, and receive even less...would you mind if I write a little at a time?'
Alex's heart skipped a beat. He wants to write me again?
'Sincerely,
Sgt. Bobby Goren
P.S. Keep working hard in your studies, it will pay off.'
Alex re-read the letter. Will he really write? Or, is he just saying that? Carefully folding the letter, she inserted it into the envelope, tucking it safely beneath her pillow.
_________________________________________
"Hey Goren, I thought you wrote to that school girl already?" Corporal Higgins had unceremoniously entered their room, letting the door slam shut behind him. The scent of rain filled the air in the room, as the corporal removed his rain coat. "Yeah, I remember, you sent your letter off the same time I did. So, what's up?"
Bobby was sitting at the table, with his box of stationery in front of him. He shrugged, somewhat uncomfortable at being caught. "I thought I'd break the letter up in parts. Take my time in answering her questions."
Elbert eyed him with surprise. "I figured you'd be glad to get that done? I mean, with the way you were struggling with what to send her in the first place."
"I, I just decided to break up the letter, no big deal, right?" Goren could feel his ears slightly burning. "I mean, it might make it more interesting for her, and it will give me something to do on rainy nights like this." He spread his hands apart, silently wishing Higgins would hurry up and leave.
"You could come to town with us, and see what's going on?" Elbert began stripping off his wet pants. "I mean, we must be a little more interesting than writing a little girl." He pulled a dry pair of pants on, as he waited for the 'Goren rebuttal'.
Bobby looked over at Higgins, slightly bemused. "Oh, I don't know...have you ever listened to yourself when you're drunk?"
A wet sock was lobbed at Goren's head. Ducking, just in time, allowing the soaked weapon to hit the chair across from him with a smack. Higgins grinned. "Well, some of us aren't as blessed with intellect as you."
"Nor gifted in your aim."
Higgins threw his other sock, nailing Bobby in the shoulder. "One out of two, I can live with that."
Bobby made a move as if going to attack Elbert. Quickly grabbing his dry pair, socks, and shoes, Higgins made his way to the door. "Okay, I'm out of here! Have fun with your letter writing."
Just as the door was being closed, a blurred ball of white hit it's target on the back of his neck with a wet smack. "Damn it Goren!" Elbert stood on the stoop, peeling the sock off of him. How does he do that? The rain had stopped, but the cool night air hastened Corporal Higgins to finish dressing. He glanced at the door, debating on whether or not to to try a sneak attack. Nah, he'll be expecting me to try. With that, he stepped off the stoop.
Bobby leaned back in his chair, roaring in laughter. He paused, tilting his head, he listened. Watching the door for a moment, he shook his head, turning his attention back to the box. Lifting the lid, he pulled out a sheet of paper. Now, where was I?
____________________________________
Searching her small desk, for stationery, she brought out some bright pink paper. Alex skewered her lips, shaking her head. This would look like it's from a little girl. Dropping the paper back into the drawer, she continued her search. After a few moments, she sighed and slammed the drawer shut. It looks like school paper again! Sitting on the edge of her bed, Alex's shoulders slumped as she began wishing she had a better selection of paper. If he's going to write more than once, I'm going to have to have better paper to write back on.
"Alex!" It was her mother calling for her from the bottom of the stairs.
Rising from her bed, she went to the banister above the stairs. Looking over the banister, she saw her mom holding a package. "Alex, this came for you earlier today. I tucked it away. You know how your brothers are when boxes arrive in the mail. It's from him."
Her eye brows shot up, her heart skipped a beat. Turning, she jumped down to the landing, she took the steps two at a time. "From him? He sent me something?"
Taking the brown wrapped package from her mother, she shook it feverishly. "What is it?"
Her mother laughed. "Now how am I suppose to know that? I don't have x-ray vision."
Alex took the package to the kitchen table. Setting it on top of the table, she unsuccessfully tugged at the cord that was wrapped around it. Her mom reached in her apron and pulled out a pair of scissors. Stepping up to the package, she gave it four quick snips. Carefully tucking the scissors back in her apron, her mother stepped out of the way. Alex tore the brown paper away from a box. A small card was lying on top. Opening it, she read the short note. A smile crossed her face. Lifting the lid, her eyes danced as they fell on the colorful paper. Her mother leaned against the door jam, watching Alex pull a sheet of paper out. Seeing the paper, she pushed away from her support. "Oh my! It's beautiful!"
Alex handed her a sheet. Feeling the softness on her finger tips, she shook her head. "I've never seen paper like this before."
Smiling, Alex looked at her mom, feeling suddenly knowledgeable. "It's vellum." She took a deep breath, trying to get her heart to slow down. "His note said that he had so much fun writing on it, he thought I should give it a try."
Mrs. Eames returned her smile. "Well, it seems you now have a pen pal."
A/N: Well, I'm not too evil! I didn't make you all wait to find out what was in the package. Lol