A Target's Love

11

Elizabeth was up at 5 a.m. the following day. Why so early, she didn't know. She stretched and let out a big yawn before slipping her feet into her bedroom slippers. For a long moment, she stared at the Bible sitting on her nightstand, overcome with memories that threatened to sink her mood before she could even decide how she wanted to feel for the day. It took her a while, but she tore her eyes away and shook her head. Then she got up and padded to the bathroom, and, after staring at her reflection in the mirror for about five minutes, stripped out of her pajamas and stepped into the shower. She dispelled lingering images of the Good Book from her mind and hummed as she washed.

After a very refreshing bath, she wrapped a towel around herself and grabbed her toothbrush. She usually spent seven minutes brushing her teeth, but this morning she spent only four minutes. Her previous feelings of melancholy gave way to excitement, and for the life of her, she couldn't tell why. When she'd expelled the last of the white froth from her mouth, she went out into her room, dressed, and skipped downstairs, still feeling very cheerful.

"Morning, Daddy!" She called.

"Somebody's happy today," Her father commented. "Morning, darling." He leaned his cheek and accepted the peck she offered him.

"Cereal?" She said, moving away to reach for the large box of cornflakes they kept in the cupboard.

"A double portion of milk for me, darling." Her father said.

"Coming right up. What do you want with the cereal?"

"A banana, a glass of orange juice, and two slices of buttered toast."

"Okay. Not too much butter, though. We've got to watch your cholesterol levels."

Martin scoffed. "Who cares? I only get to live one life."

Elizabeth frowned. "Don't talk like that, Daddy."

Ten minutes later, they were eating breakfast, which Elizabeth finished in record time. She dashed upstairs to slip into a pair of low-heeled pumps. With the same speed, she flew downstairs again.

"Bye, Daddy!" She called, as she stepped out of the door.

It was a beautiful morning. The sunlight filtered through the leaves, the wind causing them to create a pattern that danced on her brown work suit. The soft breeze played with the stray strands of hair which had escaped from the messy bun she'd formed earlier. She paused for a moment, leaned against the car, closed her eyes, and just enjoyed the feeling of serenity.

After a few moments of calm, she sighed happily and turned to open her car door. She had never been late for work before and she wasn't about to start now. Sliding in, she threw her jacket into the back seat, then froze when she heard a slight crackle. She turned around and lifted the jacket away again. A small brown envelope sat on the dark leather. 

She reached over and grabbed it, scanning it to see if there were any clues that would tell her who sent it and how they got it into her locked car. She knew her car had been locked because she'd double-checked it the night before. So how did someone get it in here without setting off the alarm?

She tore along the side of the envelope. A single sheet of paper, triple-folded, was enclosed inside. Cautiously, she unfolded it and began to read.

Her breathing gradually quickened.

Liz,

What's done is done. I asked for a second chance with you and was denied the opportunity. I admitted my mistake, apologized a million times, and you still pushed me away. I know it has something to do with that other guy. You know what hurts? It hurts to know that while I was wallowing in a pit of self-pity, you'd already found someone else. Was I ever in your thoughts when you were with him?