The Brown Paper Box

When Lily Evans woke up on her 18th birthday she never knew the events of that Thursday afternoon would change her life forever. She stretched her tan arms and legs as she sat up. Lily sat up and yawned. The first thing her blue eyes spotted was a brown paper box.

It was a medium sized box but she was confused on how it had gotten there. The young woman grabbed the little note stuck to it and read the neatly written words smiling.

Happy 18th birthday, xoxo, your Dad.

She tossed the note down and got out of bed. Her mother had most likely put it there this morning. She didn't really care about it right now and decided to open it when she could relax.

Lily got up and went downstairs.  Collecting her long hair in a messy bun she began writing down her daily to-dos. 

Laundry, dishes, sweep, mop. 

The young woman was forced to keep up with household chores since her mother never did it. Lily and her mother never got along. It was as if the only thing they could agree on was that they didn't agree. Her mother always had to have everything her way and she never cleaned her house. It was Lily's job to have everything organized and put away but she couldn't get rid of anything her mother owned and there was no space to put all of her mother's belongings. There were multiple expired salad dressings in her fridge that her mother swore were still good. If Lily tried to get rid of them her mother would tear the garbage bag open and put them all back. 

Her mother was the type of person who was always 'right' even if she was wrong. If you printed off a map of the US but she said it was China, it was China and believe Lily you would give up fighting before she did.

The 47 year old woman looked exactly like Lily. Same button nose and blue eyes and the thin pink lips to match. But the personalities were completely opposite. Lily couldn't wait to move out and get as far from home as possible.

Lily finished up her tasks and looked at the time. 3:17 pm. She hadn't received any calls from either of her parents. Usually they called her everyday around noon. They were divorced and hated each other. Growing up they used Lily as a pawn to hurt each other. Neither taking in the fact that they hurt Lily more. Growing up Lily just started to push everyone away. She felt robbed of her childhood as the only things she remembered were running to her bedroom afraid of her mother, the constant fighting between the two parents, and feeling unsure if either one really loved her. Truthfully Lily had more memories of each parent saying 'he/she only wants you to get back at me' opposed to being told 'I love you'. Growing up with them she never truly knew what love was. Lily had been in bad relationships and worse relationships but never a good one. 

Lily was about to go back upstairs but was stopped by a knock on the door. She opened the door confused as two policemen stood there.

''Lily Evans we are with the Bluehill police department.'' The taller one said.

''I'm Detective Sam West and this is my partner Officer Hunter Varms. We need to talk to you about your parents.'' He told her.

Lily invited them in and they all sat at the table. 

''Were they arrested?'' She asked, confused. 

''No. This morning your parents never showed up to work. About an hour ago we found a woman's body. It had a note on it that said 'I love you Lily'. After a few DNA tests we confirmed that it is in fact your mother. Do you have any idea where your father is? He is currently our number one suspect.'' Officer Hunter told her.

''I can call him if you want.'' She told them. 

The trio called her father five times but no one answered. 

''He used to tell me he would kill her one day. He use to say a lot of crazy things though.'' She told them.

''We have a counseling number you can call and talk to'' Detective Sam told her.

''It's okay. I never really had an attachment to my parents. Plus I'm good at pushing my feelings aside.'' She explained and they nodded.

She told them she would notify the police immediately if she got a call back from her father and they left. 

She looked around the packed house and was surprised the officers could find a place to sit at that covered table. Her mother was one bad hoarder. 

Over the next two weeks Lily focused on cleaning downstairs. Her mother had just about 3 of everything so she started to sell most of it. Between selling items on sites and throwing large garage sales on the weekends she was on a good track to organizing the house. Officer Hunter had been coming by everyday for coffee after his shifts and taking her to meetings about her mother's will and everything else. He was 23 and Lily didn't usually like cops but he seemed nice.

Hunter helped Lily organize her finances and helped her move the heavy things that she couldn't move on her own. She was selling things room by room and had cleaned out the bathroom and laundry room. She had noticed a smell getting extremely bad and was hoping it was the kitchen. Leaving the windows open really helped air it out.

After another month Lily and Hunter started to date. The downstairs was spotless and she had been spending most nights at his house. 

''Dinner m'lady.'' He smiled at her and she smiled back. 

''Thank you.''

''Anytime. So do you have a to-do list for tomorrow?'' He asked, mocking her obsessive need to have everything on a schedule.

''Yes I do. Unlike you I need organization. Mister mopping counts as sweeping.'' She giggled.

''It should. Especially if the floor isn't that dirty. Why Sweep if the main purpose of a mop is to pick up dirt. I don't understand. It's like cleaning  before the cleaning lady comes.'' He said defensively and she laughed. 

''Mhm. Anyway, I have to start cleaning upstairs tomorrow. I think I'll start in the guest room and then her room but I can finally make it upstairs without falling over books and bath bombs and that makes me feel a lot better.'' She said happy she didn't have to worry about safety hazards downstairs anymore.

The next morning Hunter took Lily home on his way to work. She kissed him goodbye and went inside. She looked at the clean organized area impressed with herself. She took a deep breath and walked upstairs. She entered her room almost forgetting what it looked like. Lily hadn't gone into her room since her birthday and it seemed so childish now. Her pink walls and furry white rug. This was a room for a princess but she felt like a queen. 

She looked on her bed and couldn't believe she had forgotten about the gift. She sat on the edge of her bed wondering what was inside. 

What could it be? Money? A way to call her father? An idea of where her dad was living? It could be a bomb for all she knew. 

Lily pulled the string and ripped the brown paper wrapping off the box. Grabbing a pair of scissors from her nightstand Lily cut the tape and opened the cardboard box to reveal its contents. Looking inside she gasped.