THAT’S A GOOD BOX

Our doorbell rang and Steven went to answer it. “Thank you!” I heard him call as he came back inside holding a package.

“Who’s it for?” I asked.

“Me.” He said as he put the box on the counter top and reached in the drawer to get a knife and slit open the top.

“That’s a good size box.” I remarked as I came over to see what he’d purchased.

“I guess.” He took out a spool of wire.

“What’s that for?” I watched him inspect it before putting it back in the box and closing the lid.

“It’s for a client.” He picked up the box and went over to the dining room table.

“Are you going to keep that box?”

Steven shrugged his shoulders. “I’m keeping it long enough to bring it over to my client’s house tomorrow. Why?”

“Well, when you give it to them can you bring the box back?” I asked as I went over to inspect the box making sure there weren’t any tears or ding’s in the cardboard.

“Why do you want this box?” He looked confused.

“Not just that box but all different size boxes.” I said. “I never know what size I’ll need when it comes time to wrap all the Christmas presents.”

“Christmas!” Steven shook his head and laughed. “It’s still October! Why are we talking about Christmas already?”

“I think about Christmas year round!” I explained. “But it’s around this time of year that I start thinking about wrapping and that means it’s time to start collecting boxes.”

“Well, I’m not sure I’ll be bringing this one back.” Steven said as he started to laugh. “I can’t bring it to my client’s house and then ask them if I can keep the box.”

“Okay, maybe not this one then but just remember from now until Christmas I’m going to need to see any of the boxes brought into the house before you start breaking them down for recycling.”

“Hey,” Our son Alex said as he came into the room. “What are you two up to?” He asked as he opened the cabinet and took out a box of crackers.

“We’re discussing boxes.” I said.

Alex laughed as he reached in the cracker box and pulled out a cracker. “That sounds like an interesting discussion.” He took a bite.

“Mom wants us to save all the boxes that come into the house from now until Christmas.” Steven said as he pushed the box with the wire in it further down the dining room table.

“Why?” Alex asked as he leaned against the counter and reached in for another cracker.

“Because I’ll need them to wrap all the Christmas presents in.” I explained.

“So you want us to save all the boxes from now until Christmas?” Alex asked.

“Exactly.”

Alex took the empty waxed paper liner from the cracker box went over to the trash can and threw it away and handed me the empty cracker box. “Here you go.” He said.

“I didn’t mean old food boxes.” I said with a laugh as I took the box and started to break it down for the recycling bin. “I’m not wrapping anyone’s Christmas present in an old cracker box.”

“Hey,” Alex shrugged his shoulders. “I was just trying to help.” He went back to the cabinet and took out a new box of crackers and held it up. “I was thinking that in about a week or so I’d have another one ready for you.”

“You know there’s a good chance you’ll be getting a present wrapped in a cracker box now.” I said with a laugh.

“I’d be okay with that.” He said as he popped another cracker in his mouth.