The Blue Box

A short high-pitched beep echoed through the cool mountain air. Inside, Marnie startled awake, heart hammering inside her chest like a caged bird. Blinking twice she scanned the darkened bedroom for movement, her eyes coming to rest on her door set slightly ajar. Oh right, the cabin. Light poured in from the hallway waking her senses more.

What was that? she wondered to herself and the rather large shaggy dog taking up over half the sleeping space. Killer's eyes were still closed, and a slow rumble told Marnie her dog now felt perfectly safe in this unfamiliar cabin. The first night found her pet cowering under the covers, yapping at every owl hoot that came from the big beech tree just outside their second-floor window, its widespread branches occasionally dragging along its glass panes in the eastern wind. However, by night four, Killer found her peace with the wildwood, so that an atomic bomb would be hard-pressed to rouse the sleeping lovable wimp. And for not the first time this week, Marine wondered how she had gotten her life this royally screwed up.

Coming to Beth’s uncle's cabin was supposed to be a fun girls’ trip to get away from cheating husbands and crappy bosses. That’s how Beth sold it to Marnie at least, over one too many tequila sunrises last Friday night. Marnie had no idea why she said yes, well possibly the drinks helped but hey, her life was in shambles so who could judge? Julie and Poppy had literally jumped for joy when they first arrived, the long dusty lane finally opening up into a meadow that showcased the log cabin. Complete with a wrap-around porch and wooden green shutters, it looked like it had been cut straight out of Log Homes magazine.

Shoving the sleeping mutt over, Marnie stretched out and switched on the tableside lamp to reveal 2:14 am on the alarm clock. I must have been dreaming, she thought, as she shook her head and not hearing any further noise, she shimmied back down under the covers. Killer always made the darn sheets hotel tight. Closing her eyes, she began to repeat the mantra her therapist swore would help. You are in control. You are in control. You are in… there it was again. Her eyelids snapped open, and with more than a gentle shake, Marnie spoke, "Ok, Killer, come on pup. Let's go see what is making that noise." The dog begrudgingly stood up, flopped onto the floor, and stood at the doorway waiting on Marnie. "Fine, you coward, I'll go first," she whispered smiling.

Moving quietly down the hall Marnie noticed no other bedroom door open. On the far side of the hallway, a turquoise seashell nightlight cast a soothing glow along the maroon carpet illuminating various deer-themed prints lining the inner walls. As magazine ready as the outside was, the cabin held a shabby chic quality inside. Mismatched woolen rugs overlapped in the living room and the walls were lined with large floor-to-ceiling bookcases built around a sooty rock fireplace. As Marnie descended the stairs and entered the room, she noticed the fireplace still burned red embers and several empty wine glasses sat on the quirky homemade end tables that had been carved into the shape of black bear cubs. Marnie had left the other three ladies around 10 pm last night feigning exhaustion, retiring with Killer to the smallest bedroom, leaving Julie and Poppy to share the bigger guest room. Obviously, they stayed up visiting for a few more hours at least. Good for them, Marnie sighed genuinely. All three of them really deserve some fun after the year we had. As do you, a little part of her brain whispered back, which she abruptly ignored.

The sharp beep sounded again. It seemed to be coming from outside. Marnie shuffled over to the entryway and holding her long flannel robe closed with one hand, she opened the front door. Sure enough, on the “It’s all good in the woods” welcome mat sat a smallish blue box. The cloudless night had brought millions of tiny stars to dance in the black sky, but try as Marnie might, she could not see anything unusual moving about the fields or in tree line beyond. There was no other vehicle in the gravel drive other than the beat-up silver minivan she had brought the girls up in. No note was attached but on the lid of the box embossed in gold lettering were the initials M.D. Her lovable pup peeked around Marnie’s legs to softly sniff the box. Deeming it uninteresting, Killer turned back to the living room and went to curl up by the dying fireplace.

Huh. Marnie picked up the mystery box, finding it surprisingly heavy, and brought it inside. She placed it on the vintage leather suitcase that doubled as the living room’s coffee table and set about making a cup of coffee in the small kitchen located at the back of the house. Halfway through pouring the hot coffee and mixing the three heaps of sugar that Marnie preferred, Julie sauntered in carrying an empty small plate and water glass.

“Jesus, Marn, you surprised me.” Julie yelped almost dropping her dishware. “What are you doing up this early?”

“You didn’t hear the noise?” Marnie questioned her friend.

“What noise?”

The box beeped again from the other room. Through the doorway, Julie saw the little box sitting idly amongst magazines and vacant wooden coasters.

“What’s that?” she asked.

“No idea. But that’s what woke me up. I found it on the porch five minutes ago.” Marnie shrugged. “The thing is, she paused, it was right on the welcome mat. There is no way we could have missed it when we arrived.”

“Did you open it?”, inquired Julie.

“Not yet. Something about it is giving me a bad vibe.”

Julie and Marnie made their way over to the box. Sitting down on the leather sofa they stared at it in silence for several minutes. Killer snored in blissful ignorance by the hearth.

“Let’s wake up the other girls.” Julie finally spoke.

“Are you sure?” Marnie quietly asked. She hated to think that Poppy and Beth would wake up annoyed and regret inviting her on this retreat.

“A mystery box, with no note, dropped on our door in the middle of the night at a secluded cabin that almost no one knew we were using,” Julie said, eyebrow raised at Marnie’s worried visage, “Absolutely.”

Ten minutes and several more coffee cups filled later, found all four women seated on the couch, watching the box. Having beeped once more, it now stood silent. Poppy looked bright-eyed and curious in her matching silk blue pajama set. Next to her sat Beth, dressed in grey sweatpants and her maroon Harvard sweatshirt. Marnie wondered if the carpet upstairs was chosen for its Harvard school pride. Many of Beth’s family members were also alumni so it was possible. Julie’s gothic lace ensemble and Marnie’s own worn flannels highlighted just how diverse the four best friends were.

“You should open it”, Poppy said making eye contact with Marnie.

"What?”, Marnie stuttered slightly. “Why me, surely Beth should open it, It is her uncle’s cabin after all.”

“But it’s your initials on the box,” Poppy pointed out, her perfect smile giving encouragement to her suggestion.

“M.D. could mean anything," Marnie countered, not wanting to voice her fear. “Maybe it’s for Dr. Julie Barnes” she added hopefully.

“Ph.D., not M.D., and you know that”, Julie yawned.

“Ok yeah… but…but.." Marnie couldn’t think. “No one knew I was coming here. Let’s just throw it out.” She moved to stand reaching out for the box when it beeped again. Marnie jumped back, letting out a gasp.

“Oh, come on Marn, I’m dying with curiosity over here. Let’s do this thing," Poppy said, taking another sip of her coffee. Julie nodded in agreement.

Marnie looked over her friends’ faces. Poppy was eager, Julie somewhat bored, but Beth’s face was strange. Marnie now realized that her once talkative friend had yet to say anything. Instead, she stared at the box unblinking, her brows furrowed with concentration, and her coffee mug left untouched.

Another beep. It was happening faster now. What is up with Beth? Marnie turned her gaze back to the box. Silence continued to fill the room.

Another beep. Summoning up the courage she was sure she did not actually possess, Marnie reached out a hand toward the little blue box.

“Don’t.”

They all looked at Beth. “It’s for me.” Her voice was flat. They waited in silence for her to continue. It beeped three more times before she spoke.

“You all need to leave.”

“We drove up together," Poppy reminded her.

“Doesn’t matter. You all need to leave.” She stared at each of them in turn, bearing down the weight of every syllable. “I am sorry, Beth continued, Sincerely I am, but you must leave now.”

“It’s three in the morning,” Poppy whined.

Julie got up and made her way upstairs without a word. Poppy, still looking confused soon followed, leaving only Marnie and Beth.

“Beth?” Marnie whispered trying to get her best friend to make eye contact with her again. “How do you know it’s for you?”

The answer came with a soft sigh. “Oh sweet, sweet Marnie. My initials are also M.D. and there is only one person who would have sent this, and I am so tired of running. Her eyes shown with a deep melancholy she usually hid from the world.

“M.D.?”, was all she could squeak out. Beth was not making any sense. The Beth she knew since sixth grade did not keep secrets.

“Marybeth Dickson.”

“But your last name is Hanley?”

The box beeped again.

“They thought it would be easier if my first name stayed similar. Easier to not mess up.”

“Who are they, Beth? What’s going on?”, Marnie’s voice rose higher. “You are scaring me, Beth, please what is going on?”

Killer lifted her head at Marnie’s near shout. The two women continued to watch the other’s micro-expressions. A few strained minutes passed, and they heard Poppy’s and Julie’s footsteps coming down the stairs along with the unmistakable thump of suitcases being dragged behind. The little blue box beeped again.

Julie walked over to the couch and handed Marnie her keys. “It’s time to go.”

“But…”

“No Marnie,” Julie said, “It is time to go.” A look passed between Julie and Beth seemingly settling some unspoken debate. By the entryway, Poppy swayed back and forth anxiously. She was holding Marnie’s black travel bag as well.

Marnie stood and followed Julie to the door, Killer close at her heels. With one last look in Beth’s direction, Marnie stepped onto the porch closing the door softly behind her. The wind outside had picked up blowing her dark locks into her face. Brushing them away she was surprised to find tears sliding down her cheeks. Why am I crying?

Killer had jumped into the back of the van while the other two settled the suitcases in the trunk. Without Beth’s luggage, they didn’t have to fight to be able to close the gate. Soon they were off down the dusty lane, dirt puffing up like smoke in the sunrise.

Goodbye Beth.

Marnie never saw her again.