When a strange package from Josh’s separated father shows up at Kate and Josh’s door, they dont know what to do. Josh adds to the mystery when he finds a ticking box inside the gift: it’s an expensive pillow. There is a fight because of this, and Josh is left with a tough choice. Should he let his father off the hook or keep acting like they don’t know each other?
When the doorbell rang, it was the beginning of the day. Josh had just taken their daughter Emily for a walk around the yard.
When I opened the door, the mailman said, “I have a package for you.”
I signed the package and took it into the kitchen. This week was our third wedding anniversary, and Josh always surprised me with little gifts.
As we sat on the couch, he said, “I just want to surprise you, Kate.” “You know what they say? The little things that matter.”
As I brought the package to the kitchen, I automatically thought it came from him.
Until I cut the thick tape with scissors. Inside, I found a pillow with pretty embroidery and a note hidden under it. It looked great with the rest of our living room’s decor.
We wish Josh and Kate a happy anniversary! – Taylor.
For a short time, I admired the kind act. Finally, I thought of the fact that Josh would never accept this present.
“What is this?” Josh asked as he walked back into the kitchen and picked up Emily. “Did we place an order?”
I slowly said, “It’s a gift.” “From your dad.”
I gave Josh the note, and he looked it over quickly.
I was interested in what he would do. Josh had a tough time getting along with his dad. Taylor had left Josh and his mother when he was a kid.
He was seeing someone else, and Taylor picked the other woman when it came time to make a choice.
Josh was seven years old, and he never got over it. When we went out to dinner one night, he told me everything about it.
“Kate, your dad should pick you. He left us, though, to start a new life with his woman. It doesn’t work that way.
I saw things from his point of view. His only wish was for his dad to be with him and his mom.
Instead, Taylor had something else in mind.
“I need to be happy, and he said my mom is too strict.” He had a job, but on the side he was always up to no good. He packed up and left.
“What do you mean?” I was shocked that Josh had been through this at such a young age, so I asked.
“Money, taking it. That kind of thing, Josh said as he raised his whiskey glass.
That was it. He didn’t hear from Josh until a year before we got married.
Taylor heard about our wedding from family and friends, and he thought it would be a great chance to make up with us.
But Josh said no.
“Kate, I don’t want him at our wedding.” It’s not good for anyone. If anything, seeing him will make things worse for me.
“Do you really believe you won’t feel bad about it?” I asked as I put wedding cards in order.
Josh picked up an envelope and said, “Not at all.” “We don’t know who will show up at the wedding because they owe them money.”
That was it. Subject closed.
I didn’t want to make it worse. I knew he could deal with it later if he felt bad about what he did. I would back him up, but I wouldn’t go too far, especially since Taylor seemed like a lot to handle.
When Emily was born, Taylor tried to make things right with her again. In order to do his job as a grandfather, he wanted to get back in touch with Josh.
“I don’t want him around us.” He shouldn’t be near our child. Kate, please don’t argue with me about this. “This guy is a pain,” Josh said as he held our baby.
That was it.
That brings us back to now.
Josh grabbed the pillow, rubbed it all over, and even put it to his ear, which made his eyes widen.
“Darling, we can’t keep this pillow!” He said.
He ran over and threw it out the back door without saying a word.
“What’s going on, Josh?” I yelled and put Emily in her high chair with her fruit slices.
“Kate, it’s time!” Something is inside. He’s not telling.
“Beating?” I told you. “What do you mean?”
We both went outside.
We stood over the pillow that was lying there on its side among the flowers in our yard. After some thought, I reached down to listen.
There was, in fact, a soft ticking sound.
I was shocked and said, “Oh.” I thought for sure that Josh had been hearing things.
Why would Taylor want to hurt us?
Josh told her as he bent down to pick up the pillow, “Get your phone out and record this whole thing.” “In case something goes wrong or there’s something illegal inside.”
Josh took a deep breath and tore the pillow open. Inside was a small, mystery box with a timer.
“What the hell is that?” I whispered, fear rising up my spine.
Angry, Josh said, “Let’s find out.” “Call him.”
My hands were shaking as I called Taylor’s number.
He said, “Hi, Kate,” in a happy voice. “Did you get my package?” I knew I had to get you something, but I didn’t know what.
Josh said, “There’s something in the pillow.” “Bag.” It’s making noise. What is it?”
I told them, “Please be honest.”
“Kate, it’s a gift.” Taylor’s voice was soft and calm as she said, “For your anniversary.”
“It sounds like the timer; it’s supposed to go off and open on the right day,” he said. “Something is inside.”
The phone was taken from me by my husband.
“Are you sure we don’t want anything from you?” Dad, what’s in the box? Is there a crime going on?” Josh asked for it.
He said, “Please, Josh.” “It’s just a sign.” “I don’t mean any harm.”
“Stay out of our lives if that’s what you mean.”
The boy said, “Kate, wait.” “Okay, just open the box.”
Josh hung up the phone after Taylor let out a heavy sigh.
I looked at my husband and saw that he was lost. I knew he was interested in what was in the box, but he was also very upset about what his father had done.
“What do you want to do?” I asked.
He held his head up and said, “I don’t know.”
I said, “Let’s open it.” “That he wanted me to open it doesn’t mean he wants to hurt us, right?”
Josh gave a slow nod, finally deciding to accept it as it was. His dad just wanted to reach out and give us a present. It might have been as easy as it looked.
“But please record it,” Josh said.
It was time to record, so I picked up my phone again.
Josh forced the box open and saw a check for $100,000 inside.
Josh looked at the check and tried to figure out what it meant. His feelings changed as he did so.
Kate asked, “What is he up to?” Josh was shocked and asked. “This money isn’t clean. He must have something to hide.
But Taylor called back before we could think about this any further.
I answered slowly.
I said, “We found the check.” “What were you thinking?”
“Because I’m going to die, Kate,” he told her quietly. “I know Josh doesn’t like me because I’ve done some bad things.” You should get that money, though. Keep it for Emily’s future if Josh doesn’t want it. For school. It’s okay for no one to know that I wrote it.
It hit me as I walked inside the house that we had left Emily alone for too long. She was sitting quietly and eating her food, so it didn’t matter.
Josh was following me closely.
He took the phone from me and said, “Dad.” You need to take care of your health, so let’s talk. There will be no more games.
He said, “Thank you, Josh.” Taylor’s voice came over the phone. “Tell me when.”
We agreed to meet Taylor at a park later that week. The park wasn’t far away, and Emily and I often went there.
When the day came, Josh was clearly nervous because he was squirming while we waited on a bench away from everyone else.
He looked weak and worn out when Taylor got there.
“I’m really sorry for everything.” I was a bad dad. I don’t have much time left, but I want to use it to make things right.
Josh took a big breath.
“Dad, it’s not easy.” I’m ready to try, though. So Emily will know one day that her grandfather helped her get through school.
I set up the lunch I had brought while Josh and my father-in-law talked. I thought we should still eat in case something bad happened.
As we were leaving the park, Josh put his hand on mine and felt a weight lift off his shoulders.
He thought, “Maybe it’s a good thing that pillow showed up after all.” A small smile broke through.
It must get better from here, right?
What would you have done?