the box

It was a dreary Tuesday afternoon when the mysterious package appeared on my porch. I had just returned from running errands and I was so puzzled when I saw the package sitting on my doorstep waiting for me. I picked it up and examined it closely. There was no name, no label, only a note that read, "Do not open for 14 days. " 

I scrunched up my forehead, feeling totally puzzled. Who could have left this package for me? And why did I have to wait two weeks to open it? My curiosity piqued, I brought the box inside and set it on my dining room table. I couldn't stop thinking about it all evening, wondering what could possibly be inside.  

As the days passed, the package sat there, taunting me with its mystery. I tried shaking it, listening for any clues as to its contents, but it remained silent.  I hesitated for a moment, unsure if I should obey the mysterious instructions. And so, with a newfound determination, I set out to unravel the mystery,   

Curiosity getting the best of me, I decided to check with my neighbors to see if maybe one of them left it. Knocking on their doors,  

The first neighbor I spoke to, Mrs. Gladys, she was an elderly woman who lived a few houses down. She seemed surprised to hear about the box and assured me that she hadn't left anything on my porch. "I'm not sure who could have done that," she said, shaking her head. "But I'll keep an eye out and let you know if I see anything suspicious. " 

Next, I visited the Chaplin's, a young couple who had just moved in a few months ago. They were equally perplexed by the situation and promised to keep a lookout for any unusual activity in the neighborhood. 

 Finally, I reached out to my closest neighbor, Mr. Fitzgerald, who had lived on the street for over a decade. He listened intently as I described the situation and then offered a surprising suggestion. "You know, I've noticed a few packages being delivered to the wrong addresses lately," he said. "Maybe the box is just a mix-up, and it's meant for someone else on the street. " 

Relieved to have a plausible explanation, I thanked Mr. Fitzgerald for his insight. 

 my suspicion more intense. How could they all claim ignorance when the box sat right in front of them?  As I stormed back to my home, my mind raced with possibilities. Was this some elaborate game they were playing with me, or was there something truly sinister going on? With a sense of unease settling deep in my gut, I carefully examined every inch of the box What if the box contained something dangerous or illegal?  The smooth surface held no clues as to its origins or purpose, leaving me at a loss for answers. As the sun began to set and shadows crept across the room, I felt a shiver run down my spine. Whatever lay within that box, I knew I needed to be cautious,  

Then I was thinking Maybe one of my coworkers. When I get to work on Monday, I’ll see if it was one of my coworkers. As I sipped my morning coffee and headed into the office on Monday, all I could think about was who could have possibly messed with me. The idea that one of my mischievous coworkers could have been responsible gnawed at me. When I got to work that morning. I made my way to my desk; I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that hung in the air like a thick fog. Was it possible that someone I considered a friend could be capable of such deceit? My mind raced with questions and suspicions, unable to find any solace or resolution. Every creak of a chair or rustle of papers sent me into a state of paranoia, wondering if the culprit was watching, the weight of distrust and betrayal settled heavily on my shoulders, casting a shadow over every interaction and relationship within the office. I asked everyone in the office about the box.  one by one they all denied any involvement. 

 As the day wore on i thought i was going to lose my mine. Was it one of them, if so, who? Or was it just the mystery surrounding the box. I was slowly losing grip with reality. I didn’t know who to turn to or who to trust. The box was taking over my life. 

For the past two weeks, she had been tirelessly working on a project that seemed never-ending. The stress and demand had taken a toll on her mental and physical health. 

reminding herself that tomorrow would mark the end of this chaotic chapter in her life. As she sat at her desk, staring at the clock ticking away the minutes until the end of the workday, she couldn't help but feel a sense of relief washing over her. Fourteen days were finally coming to an end. 

Driving home, Alice couldn't help but feel a weight lift off her shoulders. She envisioned the next day. 

Arriving home, she kicked off her shoes and settled into her favorite armchair. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, savoring the peace and quiet of her surroundings. Tomorrow was the day, a day to leave all the chaos and stress behind. 

As she drifted off to sleep that night, she could feel the excitement building within her. Fourteen days. 

And as the sun rose on the horizon the next morning, Alice woke up with a renewed sense of purpose and determination. The past two weeks had been tough, but she had made it through. Wiping the sleep out of her eyes. She opens the bed room door. 

Ugh, "The box." It's just sitting there in the corner, cluttering up my space and mocking me with its presence. I have better things to do than deal with this mysterious box and its unknown contents.   

                                                                                                                              She carefully peeled back the tape that sealed the box shut. My heart raced as I lifted the lid, Inside, nestled among layers of tissue paper, was a hundred-dollar bill and a sealed envelope. I cautiously picked up the bill. I started inspecting it. It seemed real. I then turned my attention to the plain envelope. could this be the answers I'll been seeking for the past two weeks.  

With a shaking hand i reach in and pick up the envelope. I stood there for a moment staring at it, almost afraid to open it, then with one hard pull I tore it open and began to read the card. Oh my god I'm going to kill her, how could she do this to me, I'm going to kill her. 

She could hear herself mumming. “HA HA  I gotcha” 

 happy birthday sis.    love you, Eileen