Suspicious Sentiments

Thrice a month, a single piece of black cardstock arrives in a black envelope, bearing Sage’s name in silver ink, but no address. The card within has a date and an address, no embellishments or notes. No well wishes or comments. The staff are convinced Sage has a secret admirer, though they cannot be certain from the passive expression on her face when she receives the letters, then disappears to her room or the library to read it in private. It is at these times that the nosiest of staff find excuses to enter the room she occupies, to sweep or dust or to ask if she would like tea. She takes no notice of them, and seems to read the cards so swiftly that whenever a staff member should pass her and cast a glance over her shoulder, she puts it face down, concealing whatever sentiments they suspect is embossed on it.

Text by Lucie MacAulay