Unopened Box

The box arrived on Mary's doorstep without warning. She brought it inside and stared at it. Forty two, divorced, cashier at Kings, no kids, few friends.
She opened it. Sneakers. Gold and pink sneakers. Perfect fit. She walked around the apartment. Very comfortable.
Who? Why?
Then she understood. Mary quickly packed her essentials into one carry on bag, walked through the door and locked it behind her without a look back.
Where do you think you're going, her super asked.
She smiled. Away, Joseph. Far away.

Unopened Box

Ed saw the box on the ground near a crowded bus stop. Look at that box, he said. A woman walked over and examined it. Pretty wrapping, she said. Another man didn't like the bow, Does it smell, someone asked. Several others made comments.
One fellow, standing alone, said nothing. He was soon surrounded by the others. It's your civic duty, if you see something, say something, Ed reminded him.
The man shrugged. It's all been said.
Well that isn't helpful, a woman said. Who are you? I've never seen you at thois bus stop before.
The man backed away. they moved forward as voices spoke at once. Let's see some ID. He looks suspicious. Make sure he doesn't run. Look, he's twitching! Murderer! Bomb maker!
They knocked him to the ground and began punching and kicking until he lay still.
The bus came. They got on. The man lay feet from the unopened box.
Minutes later, a pedestrian stopped and analyzed the scene.
He was carrying that box and had a heart attack.
Quite attractive wrapping. A shame, so close to Christmas.