Chapter 3: All the Beautiful Sounds of the World in a Single Word

Tony spent days trying to figure out how to find his mystery girl. At first, he stood outside the back steps hoping to see her again on her way to work. After that turned up nothing, he asked Valentina if knew any girl who might fit her description. She quickly pointed out that many girls fit her description. He wanted to scoff at the very idea of anyone comparing to her beauty, but he knew better than to say. Valentina continued to question his interest, but he just said it was to make sure the girl was ok due to her leaving so quickly. Valentina only nodded and smiled coyly at him.

Tony feared that the girl of his dreams was merely just a dream, which became literal as he dreamed of her every night. Try as he might to forget her, thoughts of her would not leave him for even a moment. It was as if he was under a spell. Everything revolved around his beautiful dream girl.

In his agony, Tony continued working making sure Doc's was in great shape. Valentina had stepped out to get them both lunch from the delicatessen. Tony was finishing stocking the back wall when a customer entered.

"Be with you in a moment.", Tony said from above.

"Tony?!", said the most beautiful voice ever spoken.

Tony turned and was ready to get on his knees and thank the big man upstairs for giving him this miracle. It was the girl he met before. The one who made the world fade away. Tony tried to speak, but like before, words evaporated. Instead, he misjudged the next step down and fell onto the floor with a hard thud.

The girl quickly rushed to his side, "Oh, Tony! Are you alright?!". She began checking him over to see if he was injured, but all Tony could do was stare at his miracle. She was even more beautiful than he remembered. "Do you need anything? Should I call a doctor?", she asked frantically. She was worried and scared.

"No, no, I'm fine. I swear. I've had worse, trust me," he said, raising up to prove he was okay. He stood and even walked a little bit to further prove it. "I'm sorry I scared you. It's just… well… I didn't think I'd see ya again. Just kinda surprised me."

She smiled, "I did not think to see you again, either. I didn't know you worked for Valentina."

He nodded. "Yeah, she's known me since I was a kid. She's helped me out from time to time. Gave me a job a couple months ago, plus a place to sleep."

"You live here?"

"Yeah, sorta. I have a room downstairs. I guess she figured this way I was never late.", he said

She chuckled in response. This made Tony feel all warm inside.

"I… I see you have a list. Anything I can help with?", he asked secretly hoped she said yes.

She smiled. "I wouldn't want to bother you…".

"Not at all!", he grabbed the list and a basket and began grabbing everything she needed. Once he was done, he looked over at her inspect the various candies Doc's carried.

"What's your favorite?", he asked finishing her order.

"Oh, no. I have not had any American candy since I moved here", she said blushing at being caught looking.

"Well, that's not right. Everyone should have a favorite candy from Doc's". Without even thinking twice, he grabbed a small candy bag and began filling it up with every candy they had.

"No, please. Do not worry. I can aff…", she said before Tony cut her off.

"Consider it samples. Once you know your favorite, you come back and tell me"

She blushed and said, "Please, I should pay you something."

He had a wonderful idea, "Okay. There is a form of payment required. That bag of candy will cost… your name.", he said smoothly.

"What?"

He leaned in closer, "To get the candy… you have to tell me your name."

She glanced down quickly, then looked up through her lashes, making Tony go weak.

"Maria. My name is Maria"