Lunchbox Tales
Light streams through the blinds and pools on the warm bricks of the hearth.
“Tell Jenny the story about Uncle Cecil’s stolen lunch” I coax.
“That old story, again?” Aunt Taddy asks, clearly flattered.
“Yes, please. She’s never heard it before.”
“Oh, alright.”
Taddy sits upright in her chair, gathers her thoughts and begins. Everyone leans forward to capture each word as it falls.
1
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She leans forward intently and continues, “He had a pretty good idea who was doing it, but he didn’t want to say anything to her because he thought maybe she just didn’t have anything of her own to eat. You know how kind he always was.” Taddy lets out a contemptuous snort. “Well, I said to hell with that; we’ve all got troubles and she has no right to take the food out of your mouth.” She leans back in her chair and smiles knowingly. “So I decided I’d show her.” Anticipation ripples through us. This is the best part of the story and why we ask for the retelling at each family gathering.
3
“Everyday at work your Uncle Cecil would open his lunch box only to find it empty. The sandwich I’d made him that morning would be gone.” Taddy raises one eyebrow and scans the room to make sure we all understand the importance of her revelation. “Day after day it was the same thing. I’d get up early to make his sandwich just the way he liked it, wrap it in waxed paper, and carefully pack it in his lunch box with a folded napkin on top. And every day he’d open it at lunch and the sandwich would be gone.”
2
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“I found a mouse in one of the traps and I knew just what to do. I got out the bread, mustard, and cheese and made a mouse sandwich. I wrapped it up tight in wax paper and put it in his lunchbox with a napkin on top just like always. Well, your Uncle took that lunchbox and set it by his coat and went on to his job. Just before lunch the whole shop hears a woman scream bloody murder in the coat room. I guess she unwrapped that paper and lifted up that sandwich to take a bite and saw those beady little eyes starring at her and just let loose.” Taddy lifts her chin and chuckles in satisfaction at all of us. “No body ever tried to take one of your uncle’s sandwiches ever again.