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This writing was accepted for publication in the 108 page perfect-bound ISSN# / ISBN# issue/book... “On the Rocks” Down in the Dirt, v147 (the July 2017 Issue) You can also order this 6"x9" issue as a paperback book:

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The Mysterious Box

Garin Turner

    The doorbell rings and Jessica answers it. She looks around and doesn’t see anybody. As she turns around to close door, she glances down and sees a box. She picks up the box and thinks to herself “I didn’t order anything!” She looks at the box and realizes It’s her daughter Brooke’s. Now what could a 16-year-old girl be ordering? Jessica thought. After a few minutes, she didn’t think much of it until Brooke got home from softball practice.
    “You have a package here,” Lindsey said.
    Seemingly worried, Brooke responded, “You didn’t open it did you?”
    “No, I didn’t but why does it matter? I’m your mother! What did you order anyways?” Lindsey replied with a stern voice.
    “NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!” Brooke shouts as she runs upstairs to her room with the box.
    Lindsay starts to go after her daughter but then she pauses to ponder about what just happened. Brooke has been acting strange lately. Since softball season started she always comes home and goes straight to her room. Normally Lindsay would think this was normal behavior from a teenager, but she’s always been close to Brooke until now.
    The next day after school, Lindsay knows Brooke doesn’t have any practice tonight and the game isn’t until the weekend. She decided to let last night go as teens will be teens and that Brooke was too embarrassed at the time to let her know what was in the box. It’s now 4pm and still no word from Brooke. “This isn’t like my Brooke,” Lindsay thought. All of a sudden, the telephone rings. “Hello?” Lindsay says.
    “Is Ms. Norton available?” the voice asked.
    “Speaking,” Lindsay responded.
    “Hello, Ms. Norton, I’m the principal, Mr. Thompson,” he responded.
    Before she could retort “how are you doing,” she started to wonder if her daughter had got into trouble at school. Or maybe he was calling to let her know Brooke made the honor roll. “How are you doing this evening?” she was finally able to ask.
    “I’ve been better. I’m calling about your daughter Brooke,” Mr. Thompson said.
    “IS BROOKE OKAY? SHE NEVER MADE IT HOME TODAY!” Ms. Norton shouts.
     “I’m very disappointed in Brooke! She brought a bottle of mace to school and sprayed one of her classmates with it! Furthermore, she has a bulletproof vest on! Did you buy this for her?” Mr. Thompson asked.
    “There’s no way in the world I would buy such things!” Ms. Norton replied.
    Brooke finally walks through the front door, before she can say anything her mom is in her face. “YOU HAVE A LOT OF EXPLAINING TO DO!” Lindsay shouted.
    “Mom, let me explain!” Brooke said.
    With her tears flowing like a waterfall, Brooke starts to explain. “It’s not like anybody notices or cares! I’ve been bullied by these girls ever since softball season. It’s got so bad that sometimes I don’t want to live anymore. All the stares, the giggles, the laughter. All because I’m tall and I’m not as skinny as the rest. The mace, the bulletproof vest, yes I ordered it! It’s a self-defense kit I found on eBay. They threatened to kill me so I took matters into my own hands.”
    “Honey, why didn’t you tell me? We talk about everything!” her mother asks.
     “Mom, I’ve tried to tell you, things are different! You don’t listen like you used to. You constantly think now I’m a teenager I’m changing and that I’m not going to want anything to do with you! Plus, ever since you started dating what’s his name, I’m not important anymore so why should I say anything?”
    Lindsey paused for a minute. Her daughter had a point, she has been spending a lot of time with her new man. She felt horrible, she didn’t realize how bad it was until Brooke pointed it out. As a small child, Lindsey would never let it be known if Brooke had a point but now that they were so close, it didn’t matter. She then spoke, “You’re right Brooke, I was too blind to realize I haven’t been there for you!”
    “I want my mom back! I need my mom back!” Brooke said.
    “You’re truly my best friend Brooke,” her mother replied.
    “Don’t get me wrong mom, I want you to live your life just don’t kick me out of it,” Brooke said.
    “You’ll always be the main person in my life, no man will EVER change that,” her mother replied.
    They embraced each other both crying enough tears to create a new pond.

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