A Hat for Red

Elizabeth Keen tried to get a good look of what was inside of the shop she was so hesitant to enter. The display was decorated all different kinds of hats – cowbody hats, stetsons, fedoras. Red was almost obsessed with fedoras – no he was obsessed with them. Like women with shoes or bags. He most likely owned a dressing room just for the different fedoras.

'If he sorts them by color', Liz wondered with a chuckle.

She knew she wanted to give him something special for his birthday. A special fedora. But how to choose from such broad range?

„Can I help you, young lady?"

Liz turned around, surprised. A pleasant face with a warm smile, revealing white perfect teeths, was looking it her belonging to Rodrigue, Red's dear old friend.

„Err..."

„Oh, I remember you. You're Red's young lady, right?" Rodrigue said with a knowing smile.

'Red's lady?'

„Not really but maybe you can help me. I'm looking for a hat."

The old hat seller started to laugh. „That's what I hear everytime a hat-virgin is coming into my shop. Follow me and let's see what I can do for you."

With that Rodrigue held the door open, waiting for Liz to step inside.

„Thank you", Liz smiled, taking in the rows of hats in different shapes and color. Smelling the fabric, leather and straw. She realized why Red liked to come here to buy new hats.

„So what kind of hat are you looking for, my dear?"

„A fedora", came the immediate reply from Liz who took in some of the darker hats.

Rodrigue laught softly. „You are really Red's lady."

Liz huffed annoyed but didn't bother to tell this nice man he was wrong.

„Alright. You can imagine that our dear Red is only buying best quality. I see you're looking for one in a darker color. But I would recommend a fedora in white, creme or beige. I heard he would travel to Paris and Rome soon."

'What?' Liz blinked but kept the question which was lingering on her tongue to herself.

While talking Rodrigue started to place a selection of hats in said colors and slighty different shapes and even fabrics. It was amazing.

'This man knows his profession.' Liz thought, before asking: „But how do I know if it suits his taste?"

„Well Red knows exactly what he wants."

'Sure he does.'

„He doesn't even need to try them on."

„Hmmm..." Liz was looking at the selection, tipping with the finger absently against her lips. „I think you can put away the white one. Red never wears white – except for his dress shirts."

Rodrigue's smile grew broader. 'Definitely Red's lady.'

„Can I try them on?" Liz asked.

„Of course but they are probably too big for you." But he took the creme fedora and hold it out to her.

Liz took it. „I don't care. Maybe when I'm wearing it I will know if it's THE hat."

With that she placed it on her head, just the way she saw it Red wearing.

„Aaand how do I look like?" Liz asked, looking towards Rodrigue to get his opinion but instead:

„Stunning, Lizzie! Absolutely stunning!" Came the unmistakeable voice of Red Reddington from the door, causing Liz to turn around so abruptly that that the hat almost slipped from her head.

The smile on Red's face turned into a laughter while he walked towards Liz, his coat casually over his arm.

„Rodrigue? We take this one", Red said, then turned towards Liz, his voice lower than before. „I will keep this for a special occasion. Maybe one day..."

'Maybe one day what?' Liz thought, trying not to think of how good he smelled.

„Maybe one day when we're both in Paris or Rome, Lizzie." Red replied, taking the bag from Rodrigue.

„You wish." Liz hissed.

Red laughed again. „Of course I do." Then still smiling. „Thank you for this birthday present."

Liz smiled and together they left the shop, both content.

The End