Paper Butterflies: Frank Frankly x Eddie Dear

Chapter Five: Apples

Poppy squawked, flapping her red feathered wings, "Oh my, well- I just don't know!" "Any of them are good- just like the rest of my wares!" I said as I used two of my hands to grab a red and green apple. The other two hands were busy sweeping up crumbs using a dustpan. "The color of the apple doesn't matter, but if you can't decide, perhaps you should just get them both, Ms. Partridge!" I suggested. "But, of course, the red ones are Wally's favorite. I swear, we're going to have an apple shortage because of him!" I added. It was another busy day at my store, Howdy's Place. Busy days are my favorite days!

"Ah, I suppose you're right, Howdy- I'll have one apple of each color, please! I'll make a tart out of each." Her bright British accent rang through the room, as usual. I laughed. "Excellent choice, Poppy! You'll have to make me a tart sometime." I put the dustpan away and began to bag the apples when the door to my shop opened and the bell dinged. "Sweetest salutations! Welcome to Howdy's Place!" I rang out. "The home of everything you need and everything you don't! Howdy Pillar at your service!" I looked to see my bowtied-friend Frank walk in, a confused and distressed expression on his face. Well, more distressed than usual. "Hey, Mr. Frankly, is something wrong?" I asked, finishing bagging the apples and handing them to Poppy. She looked at Frank as well. He sighed and sat down at my counter. "What would you like today, huh?" I asked.

"I don't know..." He said. "Could I just get your thoughts on something? I've been confused lately." "Why of course my friend!" I walked over to him, and so did Poppy. "I can try to help you too, Frank." She said, sitting on a stool next to him. "What's wrong?" She asked with concern. "It's just... Eddie. He makes me feel... different." Frank muttered, looking down, his finger tracing the grain in the wood. I looked at him curiously, and so did Poppy. "Whatever do you mean, my friend?" I asked. "Here- have an apple juice, on the house!" I grabbed a yellow juice box with a bright red apple on it and handed it to him, hoping to lift his spirits.

"I don't know... I've never felt this way before," He sighed, taking the drink in hand. "Seeing him makes me so nervous- my heart beats faster, my face gets warm, my palms get sweaty, I keep stuttering- and I don't know what's wrong with me." He opened the straw and stabbed it into the box with annoyance. "Are you scared of Mr. Dear?" Poppy asked, her wings flapping. A few brightly colored feathers fluttered to the ground. "No, I don't think so." Frank said, taking a sip of the juice and setting it down on the wooden shop counter. "I don't feel scared, I like seeing him. I... look forward to seeing him deliver the mail. I think he looks nice- his voice is so calming, his demeanor is so sweet, his kindness is admirable..." He sighed again, resting his face in his hand. "His clumsiness and curiosity are adorable, his hands are warm and soft, his eyes are so enchanting... and he actually listens to me and cares about what I'm talking about... I just... I don't know what I'm feeling and why!" He slammed his hand on the counter in frustration and grabbed the juice box, taking another disgruntled sip.

"Ah, yes, Frank. I see." Poppy said. I saw her smile, and I knew she was thinking what I was thinking. "You see what?" Frank said, slamming the juice box back onto the counter, some of it dripping out of the straw. "Mr. Frankly," I chuckled. "I think I know just what your dog-gone problem is!" "What is it?" Frank grumbled dryly. "Just spit it out already!" I laughed. "Why, you're experiencing attraction!" I made two hearts with my four hands. 🫶 🫶

"Frank, you like him!" Poppy said, laughing. She smiled widely. Frank turned bright red, and his head spun twice around. "What!? No I- no I don't!" He stammered. "I-" "Oh yes you do!" Poppy interrupted with a squawk. "You're just head over heels, my friend!" I added. "Oh, you two would make such a cute couple!" Poppy squealed, flapping her wings with excitement. Frank got up out of the chair and began pacing the room. "No we would not! I mean- it's not happening! Mr. Dear and I aren't- aren't a thing!" Poppy stood up as well, holding her bag of apples. "You should tell him how you feel about him! I may be a frazzle-feathers but I know love when I see it!"

Frank looked at her, his eyes and voice becoming more calm. "Do... Do you really think I love him?" He asked with a near whisper. "That's for you to decide!" Poppy said with a wink. "Well, I best be on my way- I have sweet apple tarts to make! Best of luck, Frank!" Poppy waved as she left the store, the bell ringing. Frank sighed again, and I smiled at him from behind the counter. "I think Poppy is quite right, you know." I said. "Well..." Frank looked away. "What should I do?" "Hmm... Why don't you write him a love letter? Here- take this paper and an envelope 100% off!" Frank walked over and took it. "Write a letter to the mailman? Well, I suppose it's worth a shot... thanks..." He said, looking at the envelope. "Maybe I can get Julie to help me..." He mumbled. Just then the door opened again, and two neighbors walked in. Frank looked over as the bell rang again.

"Salutations! Welcome to Howdy's Place- the home of everything you need and everything you don't! Howdy Pillar at your service!" "Ah yes, good day my caterpillar friend! It is I, Sally Starlet, actor extraordinaire, and my mailman assistant! Eddie's uh... helping me get supplies for my next show. I'm not sure what it's gonna be yet, but whatever it is it will be absi-tootly splendiferous!" Sally skipped into the store with her usual flare, followed by Eddie, who seemed to be carrying a list of supplies. "Mornin' Howdy!" He said. He looked over to see Frank standing there as well. "Oh! And uh, good- good mornin' Frank!" He stuttered, walking over to him. Frank quickly became flushed and walked swiftly past him. "Erm- good day to you, Mr. Dear!" He said, quickly leaving with his paper and envelope.

"Ah- okay..." Eddie trailed off. He walked over and sat at my store counter with a sigh, setting Sally's list down. Sally began rummaging through the craft supplies. "What can I get you today, Mr. Dear?" I asked. "Could I... Could I just get somethin' off my chest, Howdy?" Sally peered over in interest. "Of course you can, my friend! What's on your mind? Here- take an apple!" I tossed an apple to him, and he set it on the counter. Sally grabbed it and took a bite. "Well. I don't know. I just... I think I have feelin's for Mr. Frankly." Sally spit out the apple dramatically. "You WHAT? Eddie, why didn't you tell me you like Frank!?!" She shouted. "Shh!" He said with a chuckle. "You don't gotta tell the whole darn neighborhood! Besides, I don't know if he could ever like me back." I began to wipe the chewed apple off the counter with a rag.

"Mmm," I said in thought. "Well, what do you like about him?" "Why- everything!" He blurted. Sally laughed, walking back to the craft supplies. "You lovebird!" She teased. "Hey, don't you tell anyone!" He laughed. I only smiled, and Eddie blushed. "The way he tends to his garden is so heartwarmin', and him being happy makes me happy- I like listenin' to him talk 'bout his butterflies and things. And he's... pretty. He's so sweet and caring and-" He stopped, getting embarrassed. I chuckled. "Well in that case, why don't you do something for him?" I suggested. "I'm sure he could like you back, my friend." Eddie's cheeks flushed.

"D- d'you think I should? Would he like that?" "Of COURSE you should!" Sally said, walking over with an armful of glue, cardboard, and paint. "Your assignment as my assistant is to think about what to do for your crush!" Eddie stood up and helped Sally carry her desired items. "Alright- I will! Thanks for your help Howdy!" He said, following Sally out the door. "Thanks for the supplies, Howdy!" Sally called as she walked out of the shop. "You're welcome! Have a good day- and good luck!" The bell dinged once again as the store was now empty.

"Those two... what lovebirds..." I thought to myself, cleaning up the last of the apple.

(Word count: 1489)