Holiday Advent Story 17

Sargent Jones crouched in the darkness. He judged he’d been hidden away for just under twenty minutes. The space was cramped and uncomfortable. He began to wish he had chosen a better hiding space. It was too late to try a different place now. Everything was a go.

Jones thought he’d heard something and held his breath.

No, there was no one outside the package. He’d been wrong.

Patience was a tenant for a reason. He needed to occupy his mind.

He started to think about Christmas at home. It was a week out and he wondered what everyone was doing to prepare. His mom would have started baking cookies. She always made too many. Yet they somehow all ended up being eaten.

His sister would have taken Janet, his wife, shopping. He’d talked to Janet on Skype about what they were doing for Christmas. She’d talked about what to get their son, Tucker. He wanted to be a soldier, just like daddy. He also wanted a puppy. Jones wasn’t sure Tucker was ready for that. Still, Janet might cave.

Jones felt his eyes water. He’d been away for six months and hadn’t gotten to see Tucker or Janet in all that time. Sure there was the Skype calls, but he wanted to hold them; hug them. Not being there for them was the only thing he hated about the military. Still, that was the life.

They would have decorated the house already. Janet always liked to have a big decorating party at the beginning of December. There would have been a huge pot luck and all of their friends would have come over. They’d put up the tree, told stories, and had drinks. When they were properly festive they would even take a crack at some carols. He smiled at the thought of big Lou singing in that god awful off key voice he swore sounded like Sinatra.

What was that? Jones froze. There was a noise. He didn’t want to give away his position. He fell silent and focused on the mission. He tried to listen to what was around him. Listening for any noise or clue to what might be coming.

Something tapped at his hiding spot. It sounded like something was scratching at the box. He held his breath hoping to minimize the chances of someone detecting him.

Something, someone was touching the box. They moved around grabbing at it. It tilted to one side then the other. Someone was shaking it. He tried to weave away from the edges so they wouldn’t hit him. It was tough because he didn’t want to lean too far and tip the whole box. That would give away his position.

He heard tearing. They were trying to rip into the box. They were behind him.

Jones carefully maneuvered in the box. He turned around. His knee bumped the side and he froze. Had they heard? Did they know?

The tearing continued. They must not have detected him. Jones finished turning to face the side that was being worked at. A hand reached up and grasped an edge of the box. The fingers sliding in and taking hold. He watched the hand, preparing to spring.

The side of the box pulled back. “Daddy?”

Jones burst forward and hugged his son. “Merry Christmas kiddo.”

end

Unwrap You at Christmas