Felix, a middle-aged single parent, was half-watching TV in his tattered armchair while the monotonous laughter of sitcoms filled the small living room. Since his wife had died seven years ago, his life had become a habit of calm solitude. Though he found occasional moments of happiness working as a janitor and raising his daughter Alice, the past continued to weigh heavily on him.
Felix was drawn to the window by an outside noise one afternoon. He saw Mrs. White, his elderly neighbor, fumbling with her lawnmower. She was known for her staunch independence, but today it was obvious that she needed assistance. Felix hurried over and offered to help without thinking. “Mrs. White, let me handle that for you,” he offered, freeing her from the uncooperative device. They labored side by side in silence under the balmy midday sun.
Mrs. White then grinned broadly at Felix, clearly appreciative. Felix, you’ve always shown me such kindness. You never look for anything back in exchange. Felix dismissed it with his usual humility. “Mrs. White, it’s not at all troublesome.”
Mrs. White insisted on giving him an elaborate, antique box as a way of saying thank you. Felix was hesitant to receive such a lavish present since he felt uncomfortable. He protested, “Mrs. White, I really can’t take this,” but she persevered and gave him a bag of apples for Alice in exchange. Felix reluctantly agreed and went back to his house.
Later, while Felix was becoming comfortable with his evening, Alice found the elaborate box tucked away among the apples. “Papa! She held out the enigmatic object and exclaimed, “Look what was in the bag!” Felix was intrigued, but he concluded right away that they couldn’t retain it. Alice, this isn’t ours. Though the mystery of the box continued to bother him, he firmly stated, “We need to return it.
Felix returned to Mrs. White’s residence determined to return the present, but there was an eerie silence. When he went inside after calling out and getting no response, he saw Mrs. White lifelessly slumped on her couch. Felix was shocked and froze, holding the box tightly. He walked out of the house, stunned by the revelation and unsure of what to do.
Now that she was home, the box appeared to be more of a curse than a gift. Felix couldn’t help but look it up online and describe the gold and diamond accents on the box. When he discovered comparable goods valued at a quarter of a million dollars, his heart raced. He was lured by the prospect of financial gain, but his conscience also urged him on.
The phone rang as he was deliberating over what to do. “Is Felix here? I’m Jonathan Pryce, and I represent Mrs. White. “We must meet immediately,” the person on the other end stated. Felix nodded, his chest constricted with nervousness.
Felix met Henry, the son of Pryce and Mrs. White, at a nearby café the following morning. Felix was unprepared for the accusing tone Henry used. “I am aware that you visited my mother’s home. Henry angrily remarked, “A valuable box, a family heirloom, is missing.” Felix stood up for himself, saying that Mrs. White had handed the box to him voluntarily. Felix, however, declined Henry’s offer of $1,000 in exchange for its return because he was aware of its actual value.
Felix made the decision to auction the box in an effort to safeguard his future. But specialists questioned the box’s provenance at the auction house and demanded ownership documentation. When Felix faltered, talk of police participation inflamed the situation. Felix ran from the auction in a panic, thinking that the legal repercussions would catch up to him.
Felix went back to Mrs. White’s house that evening in a desperate attempt to locate evidence that the box had been a gift for him. Henry stepped in the doorway, interrupting his search. Henry muttered, accusingly permeating his voice, “I knew you’d come back.” “Felix, you’ve made a grave error.”
Felix was given a deadline by Henry: return the box by the next day, or he would call the police. Felix gave in since he had no choice but to shield Alice from the impending storm. He packed the box containing her possessions for safekeeping and sent her to her grandmother’s house, which was far from the commotion.
Felix made a critical phone call to Henry as he braced himself for what was to come. “I am missing the box. It’s gone,” he declared, prepared to accept the repercussions. Felix was left worrying only for Alice’s safety when the cops showed up and took him into custody shortly after.
A few months later, while incarcerated, Felix got some surprising news. He was called by a guard, and to his surprise, Alice was there to greet him. After she had opened the box, she had found papers and a note from Mrs. White stating that it was her wish for Felix to inherit the box. Equipped with this proof, Alice had managed to have Felix released.
Felix was overcome by Alice’s tenacity and Mrs. White’s last act of goodwill when they were reunited. Felix’s name was cleared by the paperwork, and they were also able to sell the box for enough cash to start anew. “Dad, we’re free of worry now. Alice reassured him, “We have each other, and we have everything we need.”
Felix and Alice embraced, their futures in front of them and determined to start over, stronger than before.
