A Love Letter To Riding Hood

 Dearest Red,

I think of you often. So often that I can hardly focus on anything else. It has become quite a problem for me and my conquests. Your influence has ruined me, I’m afraid. You have a goodness in you that is absolutely contagious. And now I’m broken, unsure how to be me anymore without feeling like I’m disappointing you. 

I want to impress you, Red. But how do I do that? You already have many preconceived notions about me and I’m unsure of how to quell them. Because of my reputation, I think you may hate me. I’m not good like you. But I wish to be.

I never thought I’d admit this but I can’t seem to write any more words because I only want to tell you the one truth that is screaming in my head. The truth that I love you. It’s impossible. And freeing. If this letter finds you, in good faith, I hope that you’ll give me a chance to prove myself. 

I don’t deserve it but I know I’m so lucky because not only are you the one that makes me excited to start each day in the hopes that I’ll pass you on the street but you are beautiful. A goddess of pure light and perfection.

~Charmed to know you, my dear

That was the letter I received this morning.

I stuffed it into my ruby cloak as I headed out for the day, shaking my head at the ridiculous thought that crossed my mind after reading such a letter. 

It couldn’t be for me. If a man loved me this deeply I’m sure I would know about it. I’d know who this heart aching letter was from. But something in me kept my hands from dropping it into the garbage pail.

If only someone had truly written something so beautiful for me.

As I walked down the cobblestone street, guilt began creeping into my mind. Whoever Red was, she wouldn’t get her love letter. Because I had it. And I really didn’t want to give it up. I wanted to dream. I wanted to pretend, at least for a little while, that I had someone who loved me that way.

I stepped into the bakery and smiled at the baker’s wife. Her belly was rounded, more so than the last time I saw her. I purchased some sweets for the walk and a loaf of bread for my grandmother. I hadn’t visited her in a while and she hadn’t looked well the last time I saw her. She’d probably be happy to see me this afternoon.

The bell rang as I walked out of the shop with my basket of goodies. It took a quarter of an hour to pass through town and get to the edge of the woods. I took a deep breath of the fresh air and stepped onto the well traveled dirt path. I didn’t get three paces before I heard footsteps behind me.

“Hello, Blanchette.”

I froze. I tried to keep from rolling my eyes. I couldn’t help it though. My eyes traveled to the blue sky above me and I sighed. “Hello, Lupin.”

There was a smile in his voice as he said, “You sound excited to see me.”

I turned to face him. The wolfish grin on his face was as charmingly handsome as always. When our eyes met, the smile melted and his eyes flashed.

It looked like I had made him feel bad.

I stared at him a moment longer.

That couldn’t be it. One look from me couldn’t hurt the infamous Lupin.

“Where are you off to?” Lupin asked.

I turned back to the path, pulling my cloak tighter. “None of your business.”

“Can I walk with you?” He sounded hopeful.

I ignored him and continued my walk towards my grandmother’s. Behind me, his footsteps sped up until we were side by side. I sighed again.

“Please don’t follow me,” I said.

“Why not? I’m not that bad, am I?” 

I glanced at him sidelong. No. He wasn’t. But . . .

“Well, last I heard, you tricked a little boy on watch three times, getting him into trouble.”

Lupin shrugged. “It was just a bit of fun.”

“And,” I added, “you knocked down two houses.”

“It would’ve been three . . .” Lupin muttered.

“Huh?” I asked, hands on my hips.

Lupin waved that away. He rushed in front of me and turned so he was walking backwards while facing me. “Point is, I’m not like that anymore.”

“Really?” I said, unconvinced.

“Yes. I’m trying to be more like you actually.” His gorgeous dark eyes were completely sincere.

I stopped and set down my basket of baked goods. “Me?” His words reminded me of the letter in my pocket. The one addressed to Red. Lupin’s eyes were drawn to where my hand had floated to hover over my pocket.

When his eyes rose up again to meet mine they were full of nervous energy. I couldn’t break my eyes away from his stare. I noticed he was getting closer. Lupin reached out and grabbed my hands, pulling me towards him and spinning us around.

“Lupin. . . ?” I whispered. No more words came after that.

He smiled again, that spark of energy gone. “Been reading anything of interest lately?”

I realized my hands were still neatly and comfortably in his. I swiftly pulled away. “What? No.”

He leaned closer, smiling conspiratorially. “Are you sure?”

I hurried around him, picking up my basket and walking back down the path. I didn’t hear him follow. And I hoped that he had given up and decided to go back to town. But it wouldn’t be so bad if he followed. 

I hated to admit it to myself but I enjoyed our banter. Just a little. Hardly at all really.

“Blanchette.”

A smile crept on my face but I hid it before turning back. “Yes?”

Lupin stood with his hands in his pockets head down but eyes up. The pose was ostentatiously attractive.

Just breathe. I reminded myself.

“Did you get my letter or not?”

His letter?

His letter?

My hand darted to the poetic words in my pocket.

A smile lit Lupin’s face. He wrote this?

“I’m sorry,” I said, embarrassed. I pulled it from my red cloak and handed it to him. “I just thought it was so beautiful and I wanted to keep it,” I stumbled over each word and I couldn’t look him in the eyes. “I shouldn’t have read it, it’s really none of my business.”

I took note that he hadn’t taken his love letter from me yet. His love letter to Red. I didn’t think I’d be as disappointed as I felt. I finally met his gaze and there was a shocking tint of pink from Lupin’s neck to the tips of his ears.

Perfect. Now I had just humiliated him.

“I’m sorry,” I said again.

Lupin chuckled. 

“What?” I asked.

“I wrote that letter.”

I huffed. “Yes, I know. I’m giving it back.”

Instead of responding, Lupin reached out and tugged on the scarlet fabric of my cloak. He pulled me towards him. “It’s for you,” Lupin said quietly. “And everything I wrote in that letter is true.” He lowered his eyes. “My heart is on my sleeve. I’ve been laid bare.”

My head was pounding, my heart in my throat. 

“I love you Red Riding Hood.”

Lupin Wolf loved me. He loved me. 

Lupin laughed softly. “Don’t panic, Blanchette. You don’t have to say anything.”

How did he love me? We were more than acquaintances but the most I ever saw him was on this path through the woods. We’d have a little banter and go our separate ways. That was it for me. Wasn’t it?

Lupin said, “Just let me have some time.”

I finally found my voice. The letter was for me. He loved me. “Time for what?” I asked.

“To make you fall for me.”

A gasp slipped through my lips. My heart sped up already at the thought of what Lupin might do to earn my affection. I was terrified. I was electrified.

He gave me one last smile before turning back to town. Lupin left me dumbstruck, standing in the middle of the woods, feet rooted to the spot. It took forever for me to clear my head and continue on towards my grandmother’s. This was what was supposed to happen, it was just a normal day. I would forget all about my encounter with Lupin. Even if I treasured his letter in secret.

And Lupin didn’t fully understand what he’d gotten himself into.

I wouldn’t be falling in love with him so easily.