The
doorbell was ringing. It took all my strength to make my way to the door, my
lethargy being at its highest. The ringing continued until I was right before
the door with my hand outstretched to turn the handle and then it stopped. I
hesitated for a second before shrugging and opened it. And there it was. A
simple cardboard box. One of those ones you see in offices where you assembled
them yourself. White and completely void of any writing or print. I frowned not
remembering having ordered anything in the past couple of weeks; even months. I
bent over and lifted it then quickly let it fall. It was heavier than I had
estimated. I steadied myself and tried
again grunting over the strain of the weight. I used my foot to open up the
door a little more so I could get through and carried the heavy box to the
dining room table. Setting it down I moved back to close the front door. The
telephone rang 6 times before it went to voicemail. “Hey it’s me. Haven’t heard
you in a while and I’m just checking in...so...yeah. Give me call when you can.
Bye!” The television was still on and the laugh track on the obnoxious sitcom
was loud in my ears. Same day. Same sequence. I was getting real tired of doing
this every day. Only the box was different. Oh right, the box. I moved to the
kitchen and found a knife to cut it open then went into the dining room.
It was pretty big. Large enough to hold a gaming console or a designer
bag none of which I had purchased. I frowned again and started to cut it open,
folding the flaps back.
Dark, bare, smooth, shiny, stiff, cold. It was a boy.
He looked to be about 4 or 5 which would explain why he so easily fit inside. He
was positioned how I imagine a fetus lies in its mother’s womb; with his knees
tucked up to his chest and his hands curled under his chin. His eyes were
closed and his lips slightly apart. He could’ve been asleep except for the fact
that he wasn’t. Skin so clean and
unmarked that I almost thought he was a doll. No being could be this perfect. I
stared into the box for minutes before I moved, arms shaking I lifted him. My
eyes traced his little face tenderly and I could feel warmth originating from
the soles of my feet, touching every corner of my body. Love. I already loved
him. I walked with him through the dining room to the stairs which would take
me to the Treasure Room. I climbed the stairs feeling every groove beneath my
feet, skin tingling with anticipation. Good thing I always forgot to shut the
door.
I loved the Treasure Room because there were all sorts of…prizes. And I
was sure he would love being in the Treasure Room too. Just like all the other
good boys. I gently placed him on the fluffy carpet, face up and set next to
him holding his hand. We spoke for hours. About his favorite toys and his best
friends; which teacher gave him trouble at school and if he liked firemen;
whether Superman or Batman would win in a battle; if he knew what real love
was. His laugh clenched my heart and stirred something deep in my stomach. His
skin was cool to the touch and I felt him tremble as my fingers got lower. I
took everything off. First my shirt, then my pants, then my underwear. All the
while his eyes were closed and he exhaled and inhaled quickly in pleasant
anticipation. He was so lovely. We played for a long time. Doctor has always
been one of my favorites. His on the other hand, was Mommy and Daddy. And then
I carried him to the bed and put him down gently before climbing in myself. I
turned him so he faced me but his eyes were still closed. I guess he was just
enjoying the moment. I pulled him to me and wrapped my arms around him. He fit snugly into my arms as if he was designed
especially for me and then I realized.
He was a gift.
For the first time in months I smiled.
God’s son had returned.
