When the Paper Comes (a Ryanna flash)

June, 1934. Madison, Ohio.

The paper was coming soon. The summer morning haze had a soft yellow glow in the early morning light, as the sun had only risen not quite an hour before--the deep blue fading to purple, fading to pink, fading to orange. Anna Faith had watched this brilliant late June sunrise as she'd put on her dress, shaken the pin curls from her dark hair, and pushed the wavy locks away from her face with an indigo ribbon that matched both her eyes and those first colors of the daybreak. It was early enough the rest of the house was still in bed, except her dad, who sat in the kitchen drinking coffee. Anna knew that her older sister Mollie was an early riser and would be up and around before long, too, quick and busy as always.

But right now, the paper was coming soon. As the sun pushed itself over the trees and the rooftops on the next block over, Anna settled herself in the armchair by the window and tried to look casual. Where was he? More importantly, what would she say to him? Ask about his plans for the fourth of July? No, too forward. The weather? No, too boring, and anyways, it was all the same-- hot. Would he even see her? Even if he didn't they would still see each other in the fall when school started. They were in the same class. It was impossible for them not to see each other. But, Anna knew all too well that seeing him was not the same thing as talking to him. Why did they both have to be so quiet? Maybe if one of them was bold they could say more than hello.

Anna leaned over the back of the chair to peer out the window. There he was, tossing a paper onto the neighbor's porch. Ryan's papers landed on the steps every time. He turned and started down the cracked sidewalk in her direction. The sun was starting to clear the early morning mist and it seemed to cast a warmth over every part of him--his shoes padding rhythmically across the concrete, the canvas bag stuffed full of newspapers slung over his shoulder, the grey pageboy cap planted firmly on his head.

He passed the tall, strong oak tree in the far corner of the lawn where Anna had spent many a summer climbing with her siblings and the neighborhood kids. It was her favorite spot in the yard.

Ryan was close enough now he could've easily thrown the paper onto the step. But he kept walking towards the house. Would he place it on the porch? Anna got to her feet. Had he seen her in the window? She went through the hall to the door. Should she open it? Why would he come closer?

She bit down on her bottom lip. This was so silly. He'd probably just come closer to keep the paper from landing in the bushes, or maybe his arm was getting tired. He had probably moved on by now and her curled hair and early rising were all in vain. Anna shook her head. He was likely at the next house, tossing more papers onto more porches. She glanced over her shoulder, where her father sat staring into his coffee. Upstairs, a bedroom door opened and shut, meaning Mollie and her mom, and probably the boys too were getting up and ready for the day. They would want the paper and her mother would probably tell her to change into a dress more appropriate for gardening. Anna sighed softly, tucked a curl behind her ear, and pulled the door open.

Ryan stood halfway down the walkway from the porch to the street, as if he'd started to walk away and then stopped for some reason. The paper sat, neatly folded, right in the middle of the porch.

"Hi." Anna called out in surprise. He turned around.

"Hi." He said. His eyes darted to the rosebush to her left. "I was just, um, admiring your flowers. I...I think we have some like that." A lock of sandy hair stuck out from under his pageboy cap, curling softly over his forehead.

"Oh. Thanks." Anna replied. "That tree is my favorite." She blurted out. She pointed at the climbing oak and then let her arm fall back to her side, suddenly feeling incredibly stupid.

"Yeah?" Ryan said. His gaze shifted from the roses to the porch. He smiled the most lovely little smile. "Why's that?"

"We used to climb it when I was younger," She said. She laced and unlaced her fingers in front of her. "It's kind of stupid."

"No, it's not." Ryan said. He took a step towards the porch. "I wish we'd had a nice climbing tree like that when I was little."

"Annie?" Her sister called from somewhere behind her. "What are you doing? Could you hurry up and come help me with breakfast?"

"One second!" She called back. She waved to Ryan. "I guess we should get going." She said. "Have a good day."

"You too." He waved back. He turned to go as Anna slowly closed the door. "Hey wait!" He called.

"Yes?" Anna turned around. Ryan dashed back up the steps. He bent down, picked up the paper, and held it out to her. His cheeks were pink, and Anna knew it wasn't just the summer sun. His green eyes sparkled. "Here's your paper, Anna."