Madelaine walked down to the corner for her usual cup of morning coffee. She had finally adjusted to her new routine since moving from Illinois. She had always wanted to live in San Francisco and here she was, at long last. When she started interviewing for her great new job, she swore she wouldn't get her hopes up. It was a long interview process and she had thought about giving up after her second three hour drive for a face to face interview at their Chicago office. After they flew her here to meet her prospective co-workers, however, she pressed on. She couldn't be happier anywhere on earth. Not that the people seemed much different then those she had worked with for years, it was all about location. She was home.
After paying for her cup of joe and a paper, she headed down to the Warf. She didn't care that it was considered "touristy". It was still very novel to her and she hoped it always would be. She enjoyed the smell of the bay, the sounds of the vendors, and the array of different types of people to watch. It was calming to Madelaine. She had only missed one walk on the Warf before starting a work day and that was only due to a power outage. She was sure to buy a battery operated alarm clock that very day so as not to wake up late again.
Another activity she enjoyed greatly and had actually been able to work into her routine, was a good aerobic workout after a long day on the job. There was a gym on the second floor of her building and she took full advantage of it. She had managed to make more acquaintances there than she had at work. Most of the people Madelaine worked with were married with families. They had responsibilities and obligations which sent them straight out of the city after work. Madalaine, single, lived a mere twenty minute bus ride from the office and she preferred that. She felt free, being able to enjoy the city rather than rushing home.
When she arrived at work, Madelaine was surprised to find a card in her message box. She looked behind the reception desk at Ashley questioningly. Ashley was the only other person in her office who lived in the city and sometimes worked later than everyone else. Ashley raised one well manicured hand and one well groomed eyebrow in a slight shrug and said "The person who left it didn't give me a name. I can only tell you it was a red haired woman, mid twenties, about my height. It was just as I was trying to leave last night. She was out the door before I could ask her name."
"Alright, thanks Ashley." she replied and flashed Ashley a warm smile as she did every morning. Madelaine didn't care for people who walked into work grumpy and no matter how she felt, she was always sure to greet everyone with as warm a smile as she could.
"Madelaine" That's all that was written on the outer envelope of the card. The handwriting was impeccable, somewhat feminine. Madelaine was a bit confused but shrugged it off and headed for her office. She would open it as soon as she settled in and the mystery would be solved. She had only time to hang her coat on the door and place her mail and messages on her desk when John walked in panicking. Something had gone wrong in marketing and the client was "not pleased, to say the least".
After a two hour pow-wow and forty five minute conference call, Madelaine and three of her co-workers were able to fix the mistakes made by the marketing department. When she arrived back in her office, she called Ashley on the intercom to order lunch in today. There was no way she would be able to get out. It was nearly noon and she hadn't even started on her planned project for the day. "I will not miss my work out this evening. I have a feeling I'm going to need it." she thought to herself.
As Madelaine was gathering her things to walk out of her office for the day, she noticed the mysterious envelope sitting on her desk. A flush ran to her cheeks. She felt almost embarrassed to have forgotten it. "What if it was an invitation to lunch from a prospective client. I didn't even call to decline." She picked up the envelope with the rest of her things and headed out the door. All she really wanted right then was to get to her aerobics class and work off the day's stress.
The envelope entered her thoughts again as she was showering. The aerobics instructor had been especially energetic this evening. Madelaine had a great time in class as she always did. She turned off the water and toweled dry. She sat on the bench in front of her locker, nude, except for the towel wrapped up on her head. She once again looked at her name written on the outside of this envelope. "Madelaine" No return address, hand delivered. She did not recognize the writing. Inside was a single sheet of perfumed stationary. Madelaine read the words written on it.
"I am writing to tell you I have been admiring you for some time now. The way your curly brown hair bounces as you move. The scent of it, clean and fresh. The almond shape of your dark eyes. Your full pink lips. You have the most beautiful smile, warm and friendly. Your shapely legs, and toned arms. I long to caress your creamy white skin. I dream about you and I being friends and more. Much more. I wish this wasn't the only way I could tell you these things, but for now, it will have to do."