Boxing Day

Whirring ceased. The drone sat on top of the box on her doorstep. Its sleek blackness and the white with red and blue stripes on the corner of the cardboard package contrasted and seemed harmless. CEO of a cosmetics company, Batista Nallen didn’t take any chances. She called the cops.

“Emergency, how may I address your call?” the dispatch asked.

“Yes,” Batista said. “There’s a strange package on my doorstep and I would like to know if the police could possibly come to my address.”

“I’ll send a patrol car out to your house.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re very welcome. Officers should be there shortly.”

The Newark Police Department in Delaware arrived. Officers Denise Sagely and Bronson Cleet showed up to Batista’s residence.

They stood at the police car and noticed the parcel. Batista opened her main door and then the screen door. She was dressed appropriately in a blouse and skirt to keep her cool that August morning. She motioned to step out of her house.

“Stay back, ma’am,” Denise said. “You calling this into EOD?”

“Yes,” Cleet responded. A few neighbors had gathered outside of Batisita’s home.

“We’re responding to a situation where we might need the squad.”

“Copy.”

Once the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team showed up, even more people came from their doors that summer day.

The specialist wasn’t wearing the heavy suit that is often depicted in TV and movies. Tatiana Duff did have some protection: a helmet with visor, gloves and light body armor.

She moved closer to the package with the intent of ensuring safety for everyone.

Tatiana Duff approached the package like an ice cube rolling down a hot skillet, cool and smooth against the heat.

She first examined the drone. It seemed completely harmless. She left it aside.

“Mom, what’s all these people out here?” LaDarion asked.

“Hush, now. The Bomb Squad specialist is checking a suspicious package for us.”

Tatiana undid the flaps. Eyes looked on, some binoculars across the street even scoped the scene. Camera phones sprouted up like weeds in the field. The anticipation made Batista’s heart thump with great rapidity. She had removed herself and LaDarion to their upper levels of their home and watched on her tablet via the camera at the front door.

Tatiana worked the box open. It was like opening an oyster to search for a pearl. She found neither. She removed her visor and helmet. And walked towards her colleagues.

“What is it?”

“A drone and a box.”

“We know that, what was in it?”

“An even smaller drone and box,” Tatiana replied.

Denise and Cleet smirked and rolled their eyes. Tatiana returned to the truck and it sped off from the scene. The two officers rang the bell but Batista was already at the door. She already ran to open it.

“What is it, officers?”

“There’s no danger, you’re totally cleared to handle the item any way you wish, that's not a crime or violation, of course,” Denise explained.

“Of course. Thank you officers for your consummate professionalism and please thank the specialist for her own dedication as well.”

“Absolutely. Enjoy the rest of your day,” Cleet waved. The neighbors returned to their homes like zombies prowling for brains.

LaDarion exited and scooped up the box.

“Can I open the other box?”

“What other box?”

“This one,” LaDarion held up the even smaller box.

Batistas eyes grew wide. She totalled three boxes and three drones.

“All these drones and boxes…for what? from whom?” she asked.

“Can I keep it, though?”

“No, I’ll get you something better.”

In four months, on Christmas morning, the mom and son team celebrated the holiday season. Batista also alerted the emergency broadcasting system to let the people of Newark know about possible boxes to be delivered the following day. She posted on social media to be aware of innocuous boxes dropped on doorsteps. She held in mind three employees who had earned their places on the board the past year. Her son decorated and made the place cozy. LaDarion actually set out to prepare an entire meal for his mother all by himself. That morning, both of them looked at the elaborate display of gifts for both of them. He gave her a report card with straight A+ marks. Batista handed her son one gift. Upon opening it, he drew up a quizzical face. He had already scored a new phone, laptop, tablet and a multitude of other presents.

“What are you planning to do, mom?”

“I’m going to use the drones and boxes to give gifts to my top players at the firm.”

“Isn’t that selfless?”

“Not at all. I derive selfish joy from rewarding the people who deserve it.”

“Okay. What are you going to give them?” LaDarion asked.

“For José, I’m giving him a platinum watch with a plan to go to a horoligist to tune it for a lifetime. I hope he doesn’t think I’m implying for him to retire. I think those are cheap, gold watches. This is not that. Second, Maralee will receive a month-long trip to Boca Raton and the ability to visit when she wants thereafter. I hope she loves it as much as we did, right?” she smiled.

LaDarion laughed. “Who’s number three?”

“Griffey will get keys to a car. A brand new Goulding and a plan to get another one every year.”

“When’s all this happening?”

“Tomorrow,” Batista said.