The Note

Michelle looks up to see two teenage girls staring at her, smiling. One of them holds a bouquet of flowers out. Michelle takes it and the girls giggle behind their hands. They turn around and point out the window, “A guy out there told us to give you these. He gave us money.” Michelle looks towards where they’re pointing and sees a mass of people walking down Mott Street. She doesn’t recognize anyone. The girls are searching for a face too and furrow their brows when they don’t find it. “He was just out there,” they say and look again. Michelle shrugs her shoulders and smiles apologetically, feeling that there is something she should be able to explain, but can’t.

“Well, thanks,” she says to the girls. Michelle watches them leave, hoping the stranger will appear. But the girls continue down the street alone, holding hands and talking about what has just happened. They will talk about it all afternoon and on into the evening, with their families at dinner and later that night on the telephone with their friends.

Michelle opens the letter. In florid handwriting, she reads that Josh has died, his funeral taking place with only the immediate family present- I do not blame you but neither can I bear to see you. We only met once so I do not feel that it is important. I have sent this with Bill to find you per Josh’s request. He wrote a farewell note and asked that you be sent flowers on your birthday. Today is your birthday, is it not? Well, happy birthday dear, may you live a long and happy life and remember my son with love. Mrs. Meismer.

Michelle puts the note down. She turns to her customers. No one knows that it’s her birthday. Not a single man in here knows how old she is, her middle name, her unaccountable hatred of navy blue or how the only man she ever loved is dead. Laughter, smoke, the clinking of glasses and the jukebox plays on. It is then that Michelle calls in someone to cover for her.  

Later that night she will go home, pack her bags and with a suitcase in one hand and a bouquet of wildflowers in the other, leave The City forever.