Lost in the Mail, By Andrew Johnston

Lost

in

the

Mail

By Andrew Johnston

Upon removing the mail from its white, cobweb covered mailbox two Christmas card shaped envelopes emerged. One for Glenn and another tucked behind it amongst junk mail. Glenn set aside what was his, licking his chapped lips as he closed the door. The envelope which he guessed to be a Christmas card was addressed to someone else.

"I don't know where this street is," Glenn scratched his head, "But I do know it sounds familiar."

He left the living room making his way to the basement door. The steps creaked as he held gingerly between two fingers the Christmas card. A rattling came from the washer machine, signaling to Glenn he had no clean jeans. He sighed, slipped on a pair of shorts and put on a hoodie, capping off his head with an orange sky mask. There was the temptation to not wear the mask as a hat as the wind bit at his cheeks once through the basement and out the garage. But with it being the holidays he didn't want the neighbors to think of him as a robber. Glenn wasn't sure where his gloves were but the pockets of his hoodie were warm.

The garage door rattled until shut. Glenn made his way to the front of his house, thinking before even crossing the street that a blue mail box should be nearby. It would be quick and the mailmen checked them daily.

After three blocks there was none to be found. Glenn held tight to the Christmas card, more out of frustration than from the cold chilling his heavy frame. His legs felt as if they were ready to crack and split like kindling. Glenn made his way a few moments later into the neighborhood gas station. Warmth poured over him. He looked at the card and then to coolers along the walls. "I'll take care of this later."

Stuffing the card in his pocket the name and address on the envelope looked to be written with care. He ignored the bubbling guilt in his chest and purchased some energy drinks and a peach ice tea.

Once by the street sign, Glenn peered up toward his house. The drinks weighed in his right hand from a thank you bag. Glenn licked his lips. He was on no deadline like he wanted to be as a writer. There was nothing on the streaming channels worth watching. And a nap was the only thing that enticed him at the moment. He slipped the Christmas letter from his pocket, smoothing out some of the wrinkles.

"I'm cold. Its not my fault the mailman messed up. Why the heck am I out here?"

Ahead a street sign read fourth avenue. Glenn checked the address on the card. He gasped, clasping his reddened hand to his face. All he had to do from the start is head down his street and look left. Glenn marched down to the sign as the wind zipped across his cheeks. Screw it. Glenn pulled on the sky mask and popped his head through the face area. He smiled and felt like a carrot with the mask on.

It wasn't until at the lowest house number that he realized he was going in the wrong direction. Temptation crept up his spine once more to take care of delivering the Christmas card later, but then he asked himself. What would Spider-man do? Glenn collected Spider-man comic books and had just seen the recent No Way Home movie. With a sigh and turn on his heel Glenn went up the street, eyeing every house number as he went.

He stopped eventually at a house, rundown and grown over with weeds. Glenn grumbled. He wondered if the sender of the Christmas card had made a mistake.

"Hello there," said a man from the next house over. "Can I help you."

Glenn's eyes brightened. The man stepping upon his porch was old and balding, bundled up in a gray coat with keys in his hand.

"I'm looking for the Loraine house," said Glenn.

"It's not that run down trash heap." The man gestured to the house in front of Glenn. "Head two houses down the street to the one with green shutters."

Glenn smiled and nodded. "Thank you."

Dashing down the street, Glenn climbed the steps up to the house. It had a welcoming feel to it with the lawn perfectly cut and the bushes trimmed. He considered knocking on the door and surprising the Loraine's, but thought the better and slipped the card through the slot.