Rose: A Short Story

ROSE PART 5

Two months later, the mailman appeared at the door. He delivered a rather round envelope that looked like a chocolate had been stuffed into it. The mailman looked rather upset as well, as he softly muttered "Delivery from 5 Redwood Avenue." As he walked to the mail truck to continue on his way, I examined the front of the envelope.

There was no name, and no address. How could he know where it's from? But then I noticed the back was improperly sealed, and a corner of a napkin peeked out. I unfolded it, expecting something like an explanation from my long-awaited lover. But all that was found was, in small scripture, "5 Redwood Avenue 4PM" I instantly recognized it as Rose's home address and the time she wanted me to meet. I had been waiting for this day for two months, the day we would finally reconcile.

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When I arrived to Rose's house, there was a key taped to the door that I could only assume was her house key. I tried it on the door, and it was a perfect fit. When I walked in, I noticed a trail of red rose petals spread in a line going up the stairs. I followed the trail to the upstairs hallway and it stopped at a dead end. No, this wasn't a dead end. It was a door, lined with the red rose petals that I had just followed. I opened the door, expecting my lover to be there looking into my eyes with sorrow, but instead I found a small brown parcel on the neatly dressed bed, next to our signature rose napkin. I unfolded the napkin, and all there was inside was an arrow pointing to the parcel.

I opened the parcel, starting by loosening the knotted string that lined and sealed the beautifully wrapped box, which turned out to be a copy of Looking for Alaska. But this wasn't the one I had given her, because this one had no hardcover jacket. It was simply gray leather binding with the words "Looking for Alaska" engraved on the front.

I began to open the book, and right under the dedications, in perfect scripture, was a note written by Rose. It read:

'My dearest