A Card for Nora

(This is only a draft, I'm looking to see if I may have something here.)


Nora

A warm spring breeze fluttered through the open window, swirled across the wooden table, flipped and flapped the small pile of envelopes and cards, then whispered it's way through strands of curly, brown hair. Nora carelessly swiped back the strands as they tickled her cheek. She took a deep breath then slowly sat back in her chair as she let it out. The wrinkles of deep thought creasing her forehead as she nibbled the end of her pen, then within seconds, smiled and scribbled her thought-filled message. She carefully closed the card cover, and took a moment to look it over. The card was like the many other cards she had purchased; beautiful artwork or craftwork on the front, sometimes with a short message that led to an inspirational quote or message inside its folds. This particular card, however, gave the illusion of handmade craftwork. A light, faded peach color dyed the background. Tiny, white lace trimming carefully glued to the edging of the open end, a tiny strand of fake pearls draped across the front with gold embroidered letters that read, " On Your Engagement...". Inside was the predetermined message, " May you always feel the joy you feel now.", then underneath in slightly larger letters, " Congratulation! ". Just below that, in beautiful hand-written Calligraphy, " I am so happy for you my dear friend! I pray that happiness follows you through all life's milestones. With Love, Nora". She folded the card closed, placed it into the envelope, and licked it close. She wrote out her friends name and address, placed her address label and then the stamp.
"That should do it for today" she spoke aloud while gathering the few cards that needed to be mailed. She put them into the large pocket of her sweater wrap and swept the rest of the envelopes and other blank cards into her shoe box. She covered the box then placed it back on the top shelf of her bookcase. Standing back, she could see all six shoeboxes that she had filled with various cards and envelopes, all for different occasions. It was a bit of a hobby for her, only she didn't collect them to keep. Nora finished cleaning by putting her pens away and slipping her labels and book of stamps between one of the boxes on the shelf and a porcelain butterfly figurine her father gave her a few years ago for a graduation gift. Her finger lingered a moment on the figurine as she allowed a swift memory of her fathers loving face. She sighed deeply knowing if she allowed anymore time on the thought, she would be in tears, and she really did not need the waterworks going today. She had errands to run, chores to finish, and cards to mail. When the waterworks were on, it made it difficult to function and she was determined to stay functional.
Grabbing a hair band from the small table stand by the door, she twisted her hair up in to a big, floppy, messy bun. She looked at herself in the round mirror above the small table. She inherited her mothers soft, even complexion, full lips, and thick, brown hair. Her chocolate brown eyes and curls came from her dad. She thought she was plain...pretty, but plain. Her mother use to tell her that if she made an effort she would be more beautiful than the other girls in school, maybe even popular. Her father would tell her she reminded him of Snow White and that she was a princess in her own right. Mom would always insist that he spoiled her and he would always remind her that that's what daddy's did with their little girls.
Swallowing the tightness that was developing in her throat, she opened the door and stepped out onto the front porch. The sun hit her face, she closed her eyes and took in the warmth. The warm breeze softly caressed her face and brought with it the fragrance of the spring blossoms. While taking in the feel and sounds of spring she heard the familiar squeak of the mail truck coming up the road. She opened her eyes and made her way down the steps and walkway to the end of the driveway. She stopped just short of the old, white, metal mail-box. The paint was chipping in a few places, but she refused to re-paint it, she liked it's used look. Her father had hand painted the house number and the family name on both sides, 10 Leonard's.
"Hi Nora!" yelled Mazy from across the road, waiving a tan, slender arm. Giving a waive herself, Nora yelled back, "Hi Mazy, how are you today?"
"I'm doing fine, and how are things going with you? Still waiting for someone to remember you?" she said this last sarcastically and laughed to herself.
Mazy was in her mid-twenties, she was average height, tan, and had a body guys drooled over, and girls would die for. She also had thick, curly blonde hair and big blue eyes. Nora could almost hear her mothers voice, "Now that's a girl that wins popularity contests, you might want to try harder or you'll be out to pasture before you know it."
Nora met Mazy several months ago, two weeks after she moved into her parents old home, matter of fact, it was the day of her fathers funeral. When Nora heard her father was ill, she decided she wanted to be close to him before anything happened so she packed her things from her small apartment near URI and moved back into her old room in her parents house. Mazy had come across to find out what all the traffic had been coming in and out of the Leonard's property. Nora had been sitting by herself in her dads rocking chair trying to wrap her head around the fact that she would no longer be able to speak or see her father ever again. Mazy had come up the steps in bare feet, tiny, faded jean shorts (so short that you could see the pockets peeking out from underneath), a tight white t-shirt that was made to show off her sculpted stomach by tying a knot in the back. Her hair was put up in a pony tail, and she wore large silver hoops in her ears.
"What is going on over here? Someone die or something?" she asked standing with her hands on her hips.
" Yes, my father" Nora said fighting back tears. "A few days ago, did you know him?"
" Gawsh, no!" waiving her off . " I just wanted to see what all the commotion was about, you know? See who was here if you know what I mean." she smoothed a stray hair back into place. "I'm Mazy, I live across the road over yonder, you got any brothers?" she crossed her arms over her chest.
"I'm Nora, I'm from Rhode Island, I just moved back in a few weeks ago and no, I'm an only child" she shifted uncomfortably in the chair. " No brothers, no cousins, just me" Nora remembered feeling insulted by Mazy's arrogance and rudeness.
" So what's with all the traffic then if you have no other family?" she put her thumbs in the flaps of her pockets.
" My father was a good man, he had many friends." annoyed Nora stood up and told Mazy she needed to get back in to tend to guest and that maybe they would talk another time. She remembered going into the house but lingered at the screen door to watch Mazy walk down the path and across the road until she disappeared behind the tall bushes that lined the front yard of her own house. She remembered thinking, "That's how you wanted me to be mom? Full of myself; rude? No thanks". She rolled her eyes upward as if expecting an answer from beyond. Two years later she found that Mazy still annoyed her, but she learned to deal with it and killed her with kindness.
Nora just smiled politely and waited patently for the mail truck to pull up. She took out her stack of cards and shuffled through them to make sure she got them all: a birthday card for Miss. Whitney; a woman from her church back in Rhode Island, two get well cards; one for James, her high school tutor, and the other for his aunt who would always chaperone their sessions. Their birthdays were on the same day. They use to joke about how James was meant to be her birthday gift. They loved each other as Mother and Son, which is fitting seeing how she had to raise him as her own after his mother died in a car accident when he was three. Nora missed them. Then there was the engagement card for her friend Rose whom she met a few years ago during a CPR training course for life guards. She had read the announcement on an Internet social site where people posted comments or listed events. She was happy when she saw her friend finally engaged to her childhood sweetheart, Bret.
She looked up when she heard the squeak of the mail truck approach and brake to a stop. Her heart pounded in her chest with anticipation as she watched her mail lady rummage through her carrier box on the side of her large, leather seat.
"Good morning, Jane!" Nora stepped closer to the big, white, box truck. "How's everything going?"
Jane sat up with several envelopes in her hand, a sympathetic smile on her face. "Hey Nora, everything's good, and you?" she swung her legs around and remained seated.
"Everything's good here too" she smiled, "what do you have for me today?" she inhaled deeply, waiting for the all knowing answer.
"I'm sorry, hun. Just the same ol' stuff." she frowned and handed over the small stack.
"That's ok" Nora shrugged and took the envelopes from Jane's weathered hand. "There's always tomorrow, right?" she tried hard to sound optimistic, but she knew too well that her disappointment shown through. She waved good bye "You have a good day Jane, I'll see you tomorrow!" she turned to walk back up the driveway.
Staring after her with a touch of sadness "I guess." more to herself then- "You too Nora!" she pulled her legs back in and with a sudden jolt she remembered "Oh, wait, Nora!" she stood back out the opening, standing on the step of the truck.
Nora spun around, her heart leapt. "She missed something", she thought.
"I forgot to tell you, I will be training my replacement tomorrow!" she sat back in her seat as Nora walked closer.
Smile fading, "Y-your replacement?" Nora's heart dipped. "I didn't know you were leaving." shoulders slumped.
Nora met Jane the day of her fathers funeral, she had come up to her during the reception dinner to give her condolences. She was one of the many friends her father had made during his lifetime. Jane was short and stocky, greying hair that still had traces of brown; tired hazel eyes and a wrinkling face. She wore antique turquoise jewelry, a bit chunky for Nora's taste, and heavy perfume. Still, Nora liked her right away. She had told Nora that she had been delivering her fathers mail for well over twelve years, and he always spoke lovingly of Nora. She was kind in her words and was honest when she expressed how she would miss his friendly face every morning on her route. She introduced Nora to a few of the guests she knew Nora would benefit to know: there was Mr. Davies from the meat market who played bingo at the local church with her father and gave "the best prices for the thickest of slices", Mr. and Mrs. Cooperfield who ran the bakery on Main Street, two doors down from Mr. Davies market. Mr. Cooperfield use to go fishing with Nora's dad every Saturday morning.
"Your father new how to make great lures, I'm going to miss him." Mr. Cooperfield had told her with an apologetic look. She had thanked him. His wife, Lunette, gave her a big hug and told her that she was a phone call away if Nora needed anything, she also made a point to loudly tell her that the sweets that were brought that day came from their shop. Again Nora thanked them both.
Jane introduced her to the Mills who lived to the right of Nora's parents property line, six acres out past the cluster of woods. They were a young couple, maybe mid thirties, with four kids; two twin boys, Noah and Randal Jr., and two little girls, Sarah and Lorna. Randal Sr. had just returned from being over seas, he had joined the military two months after he and his wife, Rachel were married. He was in Iraq one month when he heard she was pregnant with the twins, now six years old. He was allowed home when his mother passed, about one year after he enlisted and took the two week leave to morn and spend time with his family. Three weeks later he got the letter from his wife telling him she was pregnant again. He missed the birth of his daughter Sarah, now four. After his deployment orders ended, he took orders stationed out of Westover, Massachusetts. He was gone for three years total over seas, and served locally for two and witnessing the birth of his youngest daughter Lorna, now fourteen months old, named after his mother, when he received orders to go back over seas to Germany for six months. She listened to Randal's military stories politely while his wife just nodded and smiled. Nora could tell there was something wrong between them but ignored it, after all it was none of her business. A few weeks later she would hear that they were seeing a marriage counselor because he had been cheating on her.
Shaking off the memory, Nora refocused on the topic at hand. Sighing to herself, Jane said, "Yes, it was a recent decision, my husband and I had made, we will be moving to one of the old folks places down in Florida." she gave chuckle.
Trying not to show her sorrow for the loss of one of the only constant friends she's had since she moved into her parents home, Nora smiled and said, "What! Your not old enough to live in one of those homes." she laughed.
A huge smile on her face, Jane shook her head, "Your too kind, Nora, too kind." she slid back into the driving position, looked back at Nora and said, " I'll be expecting a card from you so don't forget to write." she smiled again.
"Everyday!" she said, tears starting to swell. She fought them back as she watched Jane pull away and start down the road to the Mills house.
Nora turned, "so much for having a functional day" she thought. She walked backed toward the front porch, turning her head just slightly to feel of the suns warmth one more time before she went in. It felt good. Hearing the phone ring, she opened her eyes and sprinted up the stairs and into the entryway. She lingered for another ring before answering. She hated feeling to desperate for conversation or to needy so she always let the phone ring just a couple times before answering, another crazy habit her mom influenced. She used to say, " Never seem too desperate for attention Nora, it shows. You will just find yourself more desolate of friendships than before". Letting the phone ring its fourth time, Nora blew a strand of hair out of her face before answering, "Hello?"

Trevor

Rolling to his back and laying his arm across his face to shield them from the bright, noonday sun, Trevor yawned off sleep. He looked to his left at the clock on his night stand- 1:00. "This is the last day I have to sleep in," he said out loud to no one, smiling to himself as he relished his dream, "I've enjoyed it"!
Planting his bare feet squarely on the warm, wooden floor, Trevor stretched. He let every joint pop in its place and felt every fiber of his muscles awake with each stretch. " Awe, this feels so good!" again out loud. He stood up and walked out his bedroom, down the short hall and into the bathroom. Glancing at himself in the mirror, he quickly made note to shave. " You are one handsome man Mr. Trevor." he said to his reflection with a wink and a crooked smile that revealed a nice set of teeth. After relieving himself, he washed his hands, threw water of his face, then used the towel behind the door to dry off.
He walked down the hall into the small kitchen. grabbing a bowl and a box from off the top of the refrigerator, he poured himself breakfast. After getting the milk and pouring the last bit into the bowl, he swung his leg over the kitchen table chair and plopped into it. Taking a large, crunchy bite he reached over to the small countertop television and flicked it on. With a grin, Trevor ate his cereal and watched a cat and mouse cartoon.
Moments later he heard the familiar vibration of his cellular phone on the counter. Reaching a thin, muscular arm back, he grabbed and flipped open the phone. He took a glance at the caller ID and pressed the speaker to his ear.
"Hey, Carlos, what's up?"
"Hey man! You ready for today? Carlos asked in his thick Latino accent.
Carlos was Trevor's closest friend since freshmen year in High school. They met during a week of detention. Carlos had gotten caught smoking in the boys bathroom, and Trevor received his detention for falling asleep during science class. Trevor happened to look over at Carlos and notice his binder filled with drawings. Trevor mused over a few but had a real interest in Carlos's talent. Once he voiced this to Carlos, it started a deep conversation between the two and they were inseparable ever since. That was just over six years ago.
Wiping milk from his chin, Trevor shook his head. "No, not really, but I got to get myself motivated or I'll never get around to doing anything, you know"?
"Yea, I hear ya. Just remember, no cash, no future." Carlos said with a chuckle.
"I know, I know." pushing the empty bowl away across the table, Trevor stood up and walked into the living room and plopped down across the sofa with a huff of air. "I'll be jumping in the shower here in a bit".
"A'right, what time do you have to be in?
"About three. I start on the truck today." He sighed deeply remembering the struggle of the past several months. Looking for a full-time job turned into one disappointment after another. No one wanted to hire a troublemaker, not that he was really a troublemaker, he just got himself caught in a bad situation that may or may have not led to a few months in prison. Thanks to Carlos, his disappointments have come to a halt.
Carlos worked at the local post office sorting mail, when he heard they needed a new driver he immediately spoke with his supervisor about giving his friend Trevor a chance. He let him in on his friends troubles and vouched that he was a good person who just needed a break. Luckily his supervisor liked and trusted him and agreed to give his friend a try.
Stretching out one last time along the sofa, Trevor stood and walked back down the hall toward the bathroom. " I'm just riding along; shadowing, you know?"
"Yeah? How long until the route is yours?" Carlos asked.
"Eh, I don't know, a few days maybe."
"Ok, well maybe we can catch up tonight at Oakies, what do ya say?"
Oakies was a bar and grill a few blocks away, owned by another high school friend, Dennis Feed. Dennis was the brother of Natalie, one of the many flings Trevor had throughout his high school career. Dennis had confronted Trevor for breaking his little sisters heart, and after a black eye, some insults and a few bruises between the two, they both found a mutual respect for the others fighting skills. They became fast friends after that. Natalie tried her hardest to come between the two at first; harboring anger and resentment, but soon matured enough to let it all go. She moved away after high school to attend college somewhere in Europe.
"Yea, I'll see you there!" he paused, " and Carlos?"
"Yea, Bud?"
"Thanks for this"
"Hey, no problem! I got you. See you tonight and uh, good luck, man."
" Yea, ok, thanks, see you." he flipped the phone shut and placed it on the shelf above the sink. Looking in the mirror, " you ready for this?" he said aloud to himself. He looked himself over. He needed a shave most definitely, but not much else needed improvement. Trevor was good looking, he never had a problem with the ladies, except when it came to leaving them broken hearted and sniveling in tears. For some reason he attracted woman who thought he was a wounded puppy and needed their expertise in fixing things. Trevor didn't need any fixing, what he needed was to have a little fun without being held back from finding more fun.
He ran a hand through his thick, wavy, brown hair; turned his chiseled chin upward to admire his two day growth. He didn't look bad with facial hair, but it took away from his dimpled smile. He took a step back and pulled off his t-shirt and dropped it in a pile on the floor. Flexing his arms and chest muscles, he felt pride in his looks. Dropping his pants and stepping out of them where they lay, he turned toward the shower and opened the curtain.

Jane