50 Shades of Q

Little Red Envelope

A Simple red envelope had come in the post this morning. Black ink had been scrawled across the front of said envelope in what appeared to be ink. Who uses ink anymore? I knew it was ink since some of the letters had dripped.

Whoever sent this must be eccentric. I mused as I walked into my small dingy apartment in New York.

Who even has my address? I don't know many people let alone anyone with enough to be eccentric. I lost myself in ideas and fantasies as I threw the letter on the countertop and made myself a coffee.

Staring toward the small old style box tv across the room I smiled as I saw an episode of Impractical Jokers airing, it was half way through but that'd be an amazing distraction from the tribulations of my pathetic life. I clutched the letter between my thumb and forefinger was I traipsed across the small flat and ended up slumping down into the near dilapidated sofa, my coffee resting on my jumper smothered bust as I stared at the TV and the letter simultaneously.

Allira Caprice-Vescovi

I gently traced my fingers over the name the sender had put on the letter. Yes, that was my name; once upon a time but since moving away before graduation due to my parents divorcing I'd only been using the name Allira Caprice, considering the wicked things my father had done to y mother causing her to leave and the fact he never made an effort to see us since we ran back to Nonnas house Colorado I didn't see much point in continuing to use my father name, it had been nothing but a curse anyway.

Glancing down I noticed the broken screen of my phone flashing; no one ever calls me. I'm a loner, a recluse. I work a shitty day job at a diner serving assholes coffee and artery hardening food and I come home to my feline companion; Biscuit who I had rescued three years ago from a shelter and who was currently sound asleep in his cat bed.

Sliding my finger over the flashing screen I jumped from my seat. I'm late for work.

Running like a bat out of hell I gathered clothes from the floor. Clean enough I guess. Bouncing around the apartment I dressed and exited my home; if you could even refer to the squaller as a home.

Power walking I finally made it to the diner to see my manager glaring as he slowly tapped the face of his Rolex. Seriously a manager of a crappy New York Diner who owns a Rolex. What an ass.

"Allie, you're late." He snarled his eyes cold and voice raspy.

Shrugging it off because I couldn't afford to mouth off and lose my job I pulled my long black hair into a messy bun as I walked behind the counter and snatched up my notepad and pen. I tucked the pen behind my ear and looked amongst the sea of faces crowding the diner.

"Evening Allie." My good colleague Wanda sung out in her sweet soulful voice.

Smiling I turned. Wanda could always brighten my mood. "Morning." I chirped.

"Sweet girl you're on table 8, 11 and 19 today." She explained.

Surveying the diner I saw table of four men at 11, the others were still empty yet reserved.

Moving over I heard the men talking, not just regular talking but making jokes about one another.

Clearing my throat I forced a gentle smile. All four men looked up at me then I noticed, it was them. The Tenderloins.

Play it cool Allira. I repeated silently inside my head.

I smiled again but this time it wasn't forced.

"What can I get you?" I quizzed.

The guys all placed their order making jokes and making me laugh. God I loved them. Wanda walked the orders too them as I watched in silent admiration. The only thing that made my life any kind of decent was watching these incredible men on my crumby tiny television.

Losing myself in the moment I hadn't even noticed the four men finish their meals and begin to leave, well two left and to my shock two were coming toward me.

"Allie?" Sal said softly.

Coming out of my daydream I choked on the words in my throat. Causing the pair to laugh.

"The service was great thank you." Sal said holding back laughs and nudging Q.

Q glared and Sal eventually took the hint and left the diner. Handing me a small wad of cash Q smiled.

"Keep the change as tip; god knows you need it Allira." He cooed before turning to exit.

Tired after the day of dealing with peoples children and horrible customers it took a while to sink in as I watched Q leaving.

Slowly totalling the meals and working out he had just left me a hundred dollar tip I looked up in time to see Q turn and point at me. He winked. "Remember Allira, everything happens for a reason. I used to tell you that all the time sweet princess. Read the letter, it'll change your life."

Wide eyed it had finally hit me. My name badge said Allie. Q had just called me Allira.

With my mind no racing I rushed through helping the staff clean down the diner and sprinted home. Bursting through my door I reefed the letter out from between the sofa cushions and opened it.

Allira,

I never forgot you and I always kept an eye on you. Through it all, your mother dying. Your fiancé cheating. Even knowing about how you suffer now.

I know you forgot me, I don't know how but you did. I want to make you remember. I want to give you the opportunity of a lifetime. Let me at least try, meet my at the museum of natural history tomorrow at three. I'll be waiting.

Brian.

Reading through the letter again it finally all hit me. The Tenderloins of Staten Island, where I grew up all my life. My best friend was Brian and he had three stupid friends; Joseph, James and Salvatore, who I was friendly with as well to a point.

My Brian, my first crush, first love and best friend was Q from The Tenderloins. How hadn't I realised this before? Why did he never forget me? How'd he find me and why'd he even bothered? I had no clue but I intended to find out tomorrow, 3pmat the museum of natural history.