An Encounter at The Post

Clouds of spiralling hues of grey hung in the sky, dimming the streets below and sending shivers down Felix Porter’s spine. He moved through the streets of Brighton, smoke rising up from the chimneys of brick homes on the crisp morning. Motor cars and carriages pushing past him as he approached the post office. Felix’s hands were stuffed into the pockets of his hazel wool coat, a red scarf wrapped around his neck, forcing out the cold. 

Swiftly, Felix turned into the post office, the warmth of the building greeting him as the bell atop the door sounded. Taking off his cap and running a hand through his straight blonde hair he approached the counter. On the other side a head of crimson wavy hair faced away from him, Felix gently rang the bell and the woman turned. 

“How can I help you today sir?” she offered, her expression refreshingly cheerful compared to the dreary day just outside.

“I am here to collect a letter Miss. My name is Felix Porter,” he replied, returning the smile. She turned to the wooden wall lined with compartments behind her, running her hand down the sections until she found the right one. 

“Sorry but there does not appear to be a letter for you. Perhaps tomorrow,” the post office clerk replied. Felix nodded. 

“Then I’ll wait. Until then Miss…?” Felix inquired.

“Erin Walker,” she replied, a slight smile lighting up her freckled face.

“See you tomorrow then Miss Walker,” Felix said as he bowed slightly, waving his hat before turning towards the door. He could have sworn he heard her laugh as the bell above the door rang and the frosty day swallowed him up once more. 

That was the first time of many, Felix Porter would meet Erin Walker.

The very next day the clouds that hung in the sky were not grey and shiver inducing, but rather the sun hung over the ocean side of Brighton illuminating the morning, a chill still present in the air. Felix once again walked through the streets of people, vendors out early selling, others driving motor cars between the maze of aged buildings. Once again Felix entered the tiny post office squished between a row of houses that faced the docks. Seagulls rang in his ears as he spotted the wavy red hair of Erin once more. 

“Has my letter arrived yet Miss Walker?” Felix asked, watching as Erin turned to face him. 

“Let me check for you Mr. Porter,” she said gently, again looking through the compartments. She looked at Felix again, her hands empty with no letter in sight. Erin put her hands back into the pockets of her apron.

“No letter today,” Erin grinned. 

“Now isn’t that bad luck for me. I suppose I will have to come back tomorrow. What time do you get off work Miss Walker?” Felix said, putting his hands in the pockets of his wool coat. Erin ran a hand through her coarse red hair and grinned as she answered, “I get off at four o'clock Mr. Porter, so come before then if you would like to collect your letter.” She turned back to the letters piled behind her and began to sort, and all she could think about was what could be so important about Felix Porter’s letter that he needed to check for it every day.

The very next day Felix had just finished work at the smelter, his hands stained with brick dust and calloused from the day's work. Just as he went to leave the factory pumping smoke out into the ocean beyond, he pulled out his pocket watch as men funnelled around him as they exited the red brick building. Felix’s eyes widened, he had only ten minutes to cross town, to get to the post office.

In a rush Felix took off into the streets, letting his coat breeze behind him as he curved corners and passed crowds, coming to a sliding stop in front of the post office. Gently, he let out a sigh as he put his face against the glass of the locked door, his breath fogging the window. Behind him a hand tapped his shoulder, Felix whirled around.

“No letter today Mr. Porter,” Erin said, dressed in a lavish navy blue dress and straw hat with a delicate ivory bow. Felix felt the relief pile over him, “May I escort you through the streets Miss Walker, for waiting for me.” 

“I suppose considering how desperately you want this letter,” Erin replied, her voice as smooth as silk. Felix offered his arm and Erin linked her own through it, they began to stroll through the streets of Brighton.

“Where is it you live?” Felix asked. 

“On 3rd street, but let's take the long way, there's less smoke in the air,” she said gently. 

Felix nodded and led them through the scenic streets of Brighton, Erin telling him about her job at the post office and that she was not from money and supported herself at the boarding house she lived in. Felix explained that he worked at the smelter in the main factory and that the letter was of utmost importance. For hours it seemed they spoke and laughed, Erin always quick to respond to Felix’s quips. When they finally said goodbye Erin wished he would never get that letter and keep waiting for its arrival. 

For the next three weeks Felix came to the small post office on Brighton's shore every day it was open and Erin was there, waiting for him to walk her home. Each day he rushed to get there, his hands forever stained with rust and coal, Erin forever nagging him about his worn wool coat. It was a predictable routine and would continue to be until the letter came and Felix could stop waiting for its arrival.

On the last day of the third week and the 23rd time Felix Porter met Erin Walker, Erin inquired about something peculiar as they sat on a bench above the docks on the ocean. Waves crashed against the wall below them and ocean spray clung to the air. 

“What is this between us?” Erin whispered to Felix, almost afraid to hear the answer. Felix looked at her, next to him on the bench she sat contently with her hands on her lap, her straw hat always atop her wiry red hair.

“You're the one who's going to give me my long overdue letter,” Felix said, not sure if that was the right answer. 

“That's it? Is this really all about you waiting for that letter?” Erin said, her tone changing to something more serious. 

“I suppose. Why does it matter?” Felix asked, regretting it the second it left his mouth.

“It matters because I spend most of my time with you, I feel like I have known you for so long, yet when that letter comes if that's the end then maybe…maybe” Erin cut herself off.  “Stop coming back,” she said, her eyes turning to face the ocean filled crashing waves. Her blue eyes glowing atop her pale freckled skin. 

“Maybe the letter will never come,” Felix said hoarsely, desperately wanting to tell Erin more but struggling to find the words.

That night was the last time Felix Porter accompanied Erin Walker home. 

The very next day Felix made his way through the streets hoping to find Erin sitting on the bench outside the post office, her straw hat atop her head, but the bench remained empty, for the next week. It was during Felix’s time without Erin he realized how little he really had. His one bedroom apartment was cramped and not homely in the slightest. In terms of friends Felix went out with his pals from work, but only saw them then. Every night he wondered what Erin was doing and forgot about his letter. 

The next week as Felix walked past the post office, the sky had clouded over once more reflecting the gloom of his mood recently. That was until he gazed towards the door to find the words Mr. Porter your letter has arrived posted on a piece of paper taped to the door. Felix had forgotten about the letter, the one containing an answer to the request to immigrate to America. 

Felix gently pushed open the door, and behind the counter dressed in an apron of a postal worker was Erin. She did not smile as he approached the counter, she merely handed him the letter. 

Felix wanted to start over, to rebuild himself, in America. That was why he applied to immigrate over a month ago. This letter was the deciding factor for the next chapter of his life. The paper was smooth in his hands, turning black between his coal stained fingers. Felix looked at Erin, she looked away. Felix ran his hands over the paper and ripped it up, because his new beginning was not across a great ocean, but rather right in front of him. 

Erin whirled around, her crimson hair flowing as she came out from behind the counter, her face in a scowl. 

“All this time you made me wait with you for this letter! And you rip it up!” Erin protested putting her hands on her hips as she looked to the ground where the acceptance to immigrate to America lay in pieces. Felix only smirked as he levelled his brown eyes with her glowing sapphire irises. 

“Are you insane!? Felix you have been waiting for over a month for this piece of paper!” Erin continued, her brows furled. 

“Because it was always you! Erin I was not waiting for this letter, I don’t even need this letter. I was waiting for you!” Felix said, his heart racing.

“All this time?” Erin asked, her face expressionless. 

“Every second,” Felix replied, pulling her close, wrapping his arms around her waist. 

“Why didn’t you just tell me!?” Erin laughed running her hands through Felix’s rough blonde hair. 

“Because I think I might be falling in love with you, and that was worth the wait,” he gave her a sideways grin. Erin kissed him, on her tippy toes and finally Felix Porter got what he was waiting for. Despite the grey cloudy day and the crisp breeze in the air, a surge of warmth filled Felix Porter's heart.