Sweet Notes

Chapter 2: The Second Letter

Nadia

I walk over to the letter and pick it up. I then make my way towards the kitchen with Jewel in tow. I make myself comfortable at the island and open the new letter.

Hello again,

Thank you for replying to my letter. I haven't had any luck with getting anyone to write me back. So I thank you for your kindness. And thank you for saying that this was an interesting idea to get to know people. It would be awkward to walk door-to-door to just introduce myself.

Being a jazz singer sounds cool. Never met anyone who really liked jazz. But I'll go ahead and say you're my first. Maybe one day I can enjoy a show?

As for introducing myself, there's nothing really interesting about me. I just come and go as I please. Working late into the night. Sometimes not stopping until I keel over. I'm sorry if I'm not interesting enough. Maybe as we talk more, I'll share more of who I am.

The person didn't end the letter with who they were. Just like in the first letter. I hum softly to myself, a little disappointed but still intrigued about my neighbor.

In the midst of my thoughts, the doorbell rings. Jewel runs to the door and stops short, beginning to bark her little head off. I sigh, disappointed that I'd have to leave the comfort of my barstool, and slowly get up. I wanted to get a new letter in as soon as possible while my mind was fresh with words. But as I open the door the first thing that comes into view is a fluffy, curly black Afro. The light skinned girl looks up at me and grins from ear to ear. "Nadiaaaa~!"

I grin from ear to ear as arms are thrown around me. I was quick to realize that it was my feisty best friend, Cassandra.

"Hey girlll! I didn't expect to see you today."

Cassandra makes her way into my apartment. She coos softly at Jewel and picks her up into her arms. "I meant to call you but I was so close to your home I figured it's be fine like always!" Cassandra turns to me and grins, "I hope you don't mind~."

"Bitch, ninety percent of the time you come unannounced. I'm used to it", I quipped through giggles. Cassandra laughs back and plops down at the island. I make my way over to the kitchen and look in the pantry. "Have you eaten", I asked as loud as I could since I was cooped up in the small space.

"Mmm. I picked at something at the local coffee shop. Scarfed that muffin down like it would be my last."

"Sounds like you're still hungry then."

As if on cue, Cassandra's stomach growls. Her cheeks begin to flush, which makes me chuckle. "You can't lie to me. I know you like the back of my hand."

"Shut up."

I placed down a loaf of bread, turkey, lettuce, tomato, and condiments. "Well I ain't cooking nothing fancy. So how bout a nice sandwich?"

"I'm down."

Cassandra's eyes then wandered to the open letter left on the marble tabletop. With Jewel still in her arm, she reaches over to examine it. But before she could thoroughly read the words on the letter. I slap her hand and tsks at her. "Uh uh. Mama Louisa taught you better than to read someone's mail." Cassandra whines and throws her head back. Curiosity now ebbing away at the back of her head. "Come onnnn. It's not like it's bills or some shit. I can tell it's a handwritten letter." Cassandra smirks and leans in, "come on now. Spill, who's the sugar daddy?"

I finish the first turkey sandwich and scoots the plate in front of her. "Umm. Actually; it's not from a sugar daddy."

Cassandra's greenish brown eyes widen. "No?"

"Nah...just some random person that moved into the apartment."

"Ohh. That's...different."

"Yeah. I said the same thing."

I could tell that Cassandra wanted to question me further. But she didn't, she stayed quiet. Maybe she could tell that I was still trying to figure it out myself with such little knowledge about the stranger.