Life of an Inanimate Object: Part XV: Waiting Game

Post date: May 19, 2017 12:01:10 PM

By: Megan Cichon, Entertainment Editor

Posted May 19th, 2017

Part XV: Waiting Game

One week after Galen dropped off his package at the post office, he started to get anxious for a reply. He sat outside by the mailbox every single day until the mailman came, and then he’d scramble to check the mail. When there was nothing with his name on it, he’d frown and trudge back up to the house. I think the mailman started to feel bad for him, because instead of putting it into the mailbox, he’d just hand all the letters to Galen and say,

“Nothing for you today, bud. Sorry.”

Elvin didn’t like sitting around and waiting.

“Why isn’t he writing out here?” He complained one afternoon, “I feel so useless! If he’s not going to write, why not leave us inside?!”

I glanced both ways down the street. No mail van yet.

“Because he’s excited,” I replied, “Don’t you ever get excited about anything Elvin?”

“I get excited about erasing mistakes!” Elvin groaned, “So that way errors don’t exist anymore.”

A leaf blew across the road, and Galen jumped up excitedly, thinking it was the mailman. When he realized it wasn’t, he sat back down.

“You sound like a perfectionist,” I told Elvin.

“That’s because I am,” he replied, “I don’t like mistakes. They’re ugly.”

“Mistakes happen,” I said, “They have to exist, otherwise we wouldn’t learn anything.”

Elvin was quiet for a bit.

“When did you get so wise?” He wondered.

“I must’ve picked it up from Galen,” I joked.

The mailman pulled up just then and reached beside him.

“I’ve got something for you today!” He called from the truck.

Galen scrambled to his feet and raced to the mailman’s outstretched hand. He grabbed the mail, thanked the mailman, and raced back up the driveway.

“He needs to slow down!” Elvin shouted, “I’m gonna fall out of his pocket!”

Fortunately, we all made it into the house.

“Why are you so excited?” Galen’s mother asked, setting some raw pasta into a pot of boiling water.

“Something came!” Galen squealed, sorting through the mail.

He found the one with his name on it, tore the envelope open, and yanked out the paper inside.

“What does it say?” His mother wondered.

Galen Anderson,

The faculty and staff here at Skystead High School would like to congratulate you on your acceptance into the National Honor Society. The acceptance ceremony will be held on May 17th, at 6:00 sharp. Be sure to be dressed in formal attire, as this is a prestigious ceremony, and is held in high regards by the entire school district.

Signed,

Principle Ronald Hues

Galen sighed in annoyance.

“Just some school event,” he sighed.

“I’m sure a response will come soon,” his mother consoled, “Remember, they need to read your entire book, and discuss it. I imagine it will take quite some time.”

Galen frowned.

“Quite some time couldn’t pass fast enough.”