Surprise Package

Dear Team of Judges and Marketing Team,

Please consider “Surprise Package” (F, 2664 words).

I was part of the International Society of Poets, having a poem titled Life appeared in Timeless Voices: the International library of Poetry in 2006.

Thanks very much in advance for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Estella Heard

Opting not to take a shopping cart I grabbed a small orange hand-held shopping basket with black handles instead. The plan was to grab a select few items so I wouldn’t be in the supermarket very long. Needing to get back and prepare dinner for my rumbling stomach, seeing as how I neglected to eat breakfast and lunch today in my haste to meet a deadline for one of the annual projects I’m currently working on. Although, there was an even greater reason I needed to get back behind the safety of my home. News reports have been on a loop all day addressing the importance of staying in tonight with the increased high winds, reduced visibility and the additional inches of snow on the rise with the oncoming blizzard. Having driven through all of that and finally arriving here in one piece by some miracle, I’m now wondering was this harebrained idea the result of hunger pangs or simply temporary insanity on my part.

Aside from that, being in Fergus Falls, Minnesota has its benefits and my newly job relocation is one of them. Meeting the love of my life is at the top of the list and it can go on from there. But at the moment I’m regretting I didn’t take the time over the weekend to go online and reestablish my monthly food subscription box to another standing order. This is the result of what happens when you cancel a service over not receiving two items on your grocery list. You forget you cancelled the service at the beginning of the month over missing items, fast forward to the last week of the month when you’re out of fresh meat, wine and veggies and you’re scratching your head wondering why you haven’t received the latest food box. Yeah, that’s the story of my life. Wondering where the package is. Now, I’m out at the supermarket in the middle of a blizzard. Fun times.

Browsing the veggie and fruit bins I grab some carrots, tomatoes and mixed berries placing them in the basket. Venturing further into the frozen produce section at the rear of the market I pick up some t-bone steaks, seasonings and make my way over to the bread baskets for a couple of baguettes. Momentarily looking around to see if I need anything else down the neighboring aisles I feel my phone buzzing from the inside of my cross body purse. Reaching inside of my purse slung across my right shoulder hanging over my left side I pulled out my cell, while securing the basket on my right arm. I answered the call not bothering to check my screen because I already knew who the caller would be. 

“Hello Mr. D.”   

“Tell me you’re at home in bed wearing very sexy lingerie, waiting patiently for me to ravage you.”

Upon hearing that familiar rich baritone, it instantly sends quivers down my spine and sets off the feeling of butterfly wings fluttering around inside of my empty stomach. Smiling coyly, “I’m eagerly anticipating tonight and I know just what little number I’ll have on for you Mr. D.”

Not wanting to give too much more away on what I have planned for him tonight, I intentionally slipped with my choice of wording wanting to see if he’ll reprimand me. That’s twice now and I know he won’t allow me a third. We play this game often enough for me to know that.

Speaking sternly, “That’s Mr. Devlin and you’d be wise not to forget it again.”

Laughing coquettishly, I felt my cheeks flush and my pulse quicken at the images flashing across my mind from the last time we were together. Remembering the things he did to me and the way it made me feel was enough to make me forget where I was. 

Nevertheless, all at once becoming quite aware of where I was I regained my composure, swiftly surveying both sides of the area I was in briefly noting no one else was in sight. Clearing my throat, “Well now, Mr. Devlin please do forgive me for my fumble, I’ll not make that mishap again darling.”

Breathing noticeably a bit harder through the phone, “You’re forgiven, but if you make one more mistake, then I’ll simply have to punish you.”

Now I was really intrigued, I began speculating on what he might have in mind as possible punishments if I made another supposed error in judgment. Right as I was about to make my final folly an ear splitting noise ringed out, quite piercing in volume halting me in my steps.  

Sounding alarmed, “Angel, what was that!?”

“You heard it too?” I started walking again back towards the produce, not seeing anything; I decided to continue walking a bit further to the back end of the market. 

 “Yes I did hear that. Where are you right now? I thought you were at home.”

Keeping an ear out for that strange loud noise I kept looking all around me, slowly making my way to what looked like a secured closed door marked Employees Only. Taking a chance I turned the knob, certain it would be locked but needing to try it anyway. It didn’t give, but I twisted again out of habit before letting go.  

Taking a quick calming breathe before replying, “I’m actually at the supermarket on Lincoln Avenue. I chanced driving here because its close and I needed to grab dinner along with a few other items for the next several days, not sure when this storm would let up.”

The lights began to flicker at that moment as a raging whistle from outside could be heard. Backing slowly away from the locked staff door I gripped my cell phone tighter feeling a little anxious to be back out on the road and heading home. I needed to grab the rest of the items I came for and leave as soon as possible. Wasting no more time than necessary I sped through the next several aisles until I reached the very last one near the right side of the super store where the assorted beer, wine and spirits could be seen lined up along the entire back wall. I zeroed in on my favorite red wines and placed them both next to the other items in the basket. Quickly turning around ready to head over to checkout I paused as a thought hit me.

“Dev, I’m noticing that since I’ve arrived here I haven’t seen anyone else. Don’t you think that’s odd? I mean sure it’s crazy to venture out right now, but I should have seen at least one person by now.”

“Perhaps you should just leave if you haven’t noticed anyone else there. I don’t like the idea of you being out in this weather and especially alone.”

Mentally I was kicking myself for not waiting this blizzard out. Sighing internally, “Well, I’m actually done grabbing mostly what I came here for. Everything else can wait until next week I suppose. I’m heading over to the registers now.”

As I made my way towards the front area I kept looking around still hoping to spot someone else shopping. When I didn’t encounter anyone else upon arriving at the checkout lanes I really started to feel like the store was truly deserted. This time I couldn’t help but to let out a frazzled sigh.

“What’s wrong Angel?”

Hearing the concern in Devlin’s voice made me more eager to leave.

“This can’t be, I’m looking around and I don’t see staff at the registers. This just keeps getting increasingly bizarre.”

Glancing over at the large windows by the entrance, I froze as my eyes took in all of the snow rapidly falling down layering the ground with more inches as I contemplate what to do. 

After a beat, not certain how long I was deep into my musings I came back to the conversation upon hearing Devlin calling my name, “Yes, yes I’m still here just noticing this snow storm is getting more aggressive by the seconds. I’m not sure if I should attempt to search out an employee for assistance to my car, or just checkout.” I added a little laughter to take away the nervous jitters forming in the pit of my now long forgotten empty stomach.

“Do you need me to come there and get you? I’m not far from your location and I can get to you in less than an hour if I hurry now.”

“Oh no sweetie, but thank you.  I’m sure once I do a quick walk through I should run into someone that works around here. If I don’t find anyone I’ll leave soon enough.” Trying to keep a positive outlook I decide to do a second walk through. Upon reaching the Employees Only door again I hollered out tentatively, “Hello! Is anybody back there? I’m trying to checkout can someone assist me?”

After calling out again and hearing no sound on the other side I moved through several aisles looking up and down each path before continuing on to the next. I was finally about to give up my scavenger hunt and inform Devlin, but upon hearing him furiously typing away on his laptop I decided to have some fun, “You know, I’m glad you’re able to finish up working during all of this miniature drama playing out right before you.”

Laughing good and naturally, “I did just offer to come and rescue you sweet, to which you turned me down.” Finishing mischievously, “The only Drama that will be unfolding before me is the one that we will be creating together, tonight.”

“Oh, I do so love how you think Mr. D.”

“That’s the third strike. Now, I will have to punish you later.”

Feeling myself get excited I breathed a raspy, “Promise?”

“That’s a guarantee.”

Laughing delightedly I begin to look forward to our evening together when suddenly a strange loud crying sound from the front of the market could be heard along with the slamming of a door. Jolting from the impact I dropped my cell phone hard on the floor, bending to pick it back up I noticed the call had ended. I waited a beat before dialing Devlin back because I knew any second he’d be calling. 

I hesitated before going anywhere to investigate that strange crying sound, although worried of what it could be. After another quick look around in the back area I decided to chance it and head straight to the front again. I had an eerie feeling as I looked around making my way through aisle after aisle. Almost at my destination the lights went out making me pause in my haste, panicking I hollered out, “Hello! Hello! Is anyone else here?”

Belatedly realizing I was still clutching onto the little basket, I partially bent and tossed it across the floor while attempting to call Devlin back. That’s when I heard that strange loud crying sound again, only this time it didn’t stop and I believed I knew exactly where it might be coming from. Turning on my smart phones flash light, I could better see my surroundings as I continued towards the bathroom area where I suspected the noise might be located. Feeling all at once like I was on a dark deserted island with no one else around and no way off, just wondering around aimlessly awaiting a rescue team. I was very much aware of just how alone I truly was.  

As I drew closer to the public bathrooms the noise could be heard louder, clearer even and more alarming by the seconds. I didn’t want to believe the worst, but in my gut I already knew what those strange sounds now indicated. Coming to an abrupt stop before that of the closed ladies door I reached for and turned the handle, entering in while holding my phone in front of me for full view of the stalls, instantly noticing that near the right side by the first stall lay a baby wrapped inside of a blue blanket. 

My heart lurched into my chest as maternal instincts took over and I immediately ran over, grabbing what looked to be a baby boy no more than a few weeks old and cradled him close to my chest. I didn’t care in that moment that this all seemed bizarre, or that the lights were off, or that I appeared to be the only person inside of this store. 

All I cared about was protecting this beautifully innocent baby left all alone, on a cold floor inside of a supermarket bathroom during a severe snow storm no less. I could feel myself starting to shake with nerves, taking deep breathes I begin to rock the baby, whispering soothing words of comfort to quiet his frantic cries. In part, it was not only working on him but me also as my jumping heart slowed down and I remained calm while walking back and forth throughout the small space. 

I began gently running my fingers through his feathery soft hair when I felt my cell phone vibrating in my left hand. Quickly answering as so not to disturb the now quieting moment, “Dev, you won’t believe –”

“Angel, what happened? Are you alright? I’ve been trying to call you back and I kept getting a busy signal, but I’m on my way to you right now.”

Loud whispering, “I’m holding a baby Dev, a baby. Can you believe someone would leave their little baby boy in the ladies bathroom? I’m beyond shocked right now.”

“I need you to stay calm sweet and take a deep breath. I’m on my way so try to relax. I’m not sure why someone would leave their baby like that but we’ll get to the bottom of this once I arrive.” 

Feeling calmer I held the phone closer to my ear as if to absorb every word. It was as if he was standing right there next to me and I begin to feel secure. Cradling the baby more snugly in my arms I sang to him an old bedtime song my mother used to sing to me.     

“That’s beautiful Angel, very nice. You’re a natural. That should keep him calm until I make it there and then we’ll figure out what to do.”

I wrapped the blanket more securely around his tiny little body as I held him snug in my arms. I couldn’t see his face at the moment, but I could feel his movements and his little hand gripped mine tightly as I gently swayed from side to side, continuing to walk back and forth slowly. I was relieved to know that Devlin would be there shortly and we’d figure out how to deal with this together. 

“We’ll be waiting out front by the entrance until you arrive, although the lights are completely out. But, I can still see from the flash light on my cell.”

  Sounding alarmed, “Why didn’t you tell me sooner? We need to call for help, maybe the fire department.”

“I’m sorry I was about to call you but heard the crying sounds and wanted to see what was going on. Let me try to call them now.”

“No, I’ll call you just keep him calm. I’ll be there in no time.”

          Smiling brightly, “Dev, I love you. Be careful.”

          “I love you too sweet.”

          Hanging up the call I dimmed the light shinning from my phone to create a softer glow in the bathroom. It made it easier to view the baby more closely without possibly freighting him. I could see he was falling fast asleep as we both waited for the love of my life to rescue me as he often does. Only this time I wasn’t the only one that needed rescuing and as I continued avidly studying this wonderful bundle of joy within my arms I knew even without knowing, my package had finally arrived.