Mail

Weeks later, she is at the community mailbox picking up communications she hasn't checked for in days. The weather is getting cooler outside and as she sorts, she catches sight of Noodle who is scrutinizing something he's received.

The wind was picking up, but the shelter around the mailboxes kept most of the chill at bay. She sorts through her mail pitching anything with the name "Resident" listed as the addressee. She hates to be called by the wrong name.

Bills...bills...bills...strange letter...formal looking government post...bill...holiday card...invite to a garden party (she'll never go)...invite to a baby shower (she won't be going to that either)...Self magazine (yes!)...Fitness magazine (bonus!)...bill...

"Where does all the money go?" she mumbled aloud.

The official government envelope troubled her, so she took a moment to rip through it to end the suspense. As she tore the delicate paper, catching a fingertip on the ridge (ouch! Damnit!), she notices Noodle is reading his own mail, cross-legged on the ground.

"Hey!" she greeted him. He looked kind of disappointed and troubled.

"Oh hi," he responded. He stood up, faced her.

"Get anything strange in the mail?" she asked casually, now wondering what the hell would make Noodle go bendy-legged and sad like that. He seemed like such a friendly, happy guy to her.

"Uh...just something I was expecting, but wasn't sure I'd ever really see in print," he responded. "You know how it is, you know the hammer's gonna drop down someday, but you're never quite sure when or whether or not it'll come on a good day. That make sense to you?" he asked.

"Sure does," she replied. She looked at her own open letter. Her community service assignment at St. Nick's. She had to report Monday at 8 am. Shit, that was only three days away!

"What's that?" he asked her.

"My community service detail," she said. "You know, from that mess I started awhile back. Doing it at St. Nick's and apparently will be spending quality time with two different patients."

"Wow girl," Noodle said, widening his eyes, "they hit you hard, didn't they? That's some major time spent."

"Twenty-four hours," she said.

"In an institution for, well you know," he said. "I haven't been here in town long, but I know about that place."

"I'll be fine," she responded. "I'm a big girl and can handle mine. What's going on with you? You alright?"

"Fine," he said. "But I gotta jet. You want to meet up sometime, swap stories?" he asked. "I bet you have some doozies."

She looked at Noodle. There was the smile she had seen before, big and open. It might be really fun to learn more about this character who lived not far from her. She gave him her cell phone number and told him to let her know when and where and she'd meet him.

"Great," he said. "I'm off. I'll call you."

She watched him walk away, his eyes back on the letter in his hand. It could be anything, a "Dear John" letter, a major bill, a warrant, a death certificate, anything...

She smiled, the thought of her own assignment passing from her brain. She was looking forward to seeing him again.