Today’s writing prompt, When I Opened the Wrapping…, will encourage you to write the unexpected. Keep reading to see the full prompt and my completed version of it.
Today’s Writing Prompt: When I Opened the Wrapping…
Today, start writing by completing the sentence: “When I opened the wrapping…” The aim of today’s writing prompt is to be as creative as possible and write something that might surprise your readers. Whatever is being unwrapped doesn’t necessarily need to be a gift either…
Completed Version of Today’s Writing Prompt
When I Opened the Wrapping…, by K.E. Creighton
When I opened the wrapping, he sucked in his breath.
Underneath the wrapping was a small black velvet box that seemed to weigh more than it should. When I opened the box, there was a sapphire ring inside it that looked like an antique. According to my stepmother who was also in the room sitting next to the thirteen-foot tree, it was her great-grandmother’s engagement ring.
“Look underneath the cushion holding the ring,” he directed. I did. And underneath the ring were two keys.
“One key goes to the house next door. I still can’t believe it was up for sale around Christmas. What luck! And the other goes to your new car outside. It’s that new SUV you’ve wanted for a few months now. It’s the one with the voice-activated GPS and infotainment system.”
When I realized I was staring blankly at the items in my lap not conveying much, I looked up and smiled because I somehow knew that was what I was supposed to do.
He remained on the sofa across from where I was sitting staring at me like I was a puzzle he was piecing together for his own amusement, without affection. Then when I still didn’t say anything, with palpable annoyance he said, “Listen, Amy, I know you don’t remember anything after your fall last week. But you do want this. You’re lucky to be here. And I’m going to take care of you. My family is going to take care of you,” which kind of sounded like a threat. Especially the way he said it. But how would I know?
I had told my wife to concentrate on the kids this Christmas. Our bankruptcy and having to move to a rental, along with buying used cars and shopping at bargain stores, made our entire year difficult. The kids had handled this much better than I hoped, and the neighbors in our new area were much nicer than I had hoped. One elderly lady even told my wife her church was adopting our family for Christmas, which meant great gifts and foodstuffs on Christmas Eve!
Since I was working extra shifts at the plant, and my wife was trying to finish up her nursing training, I had to order her and the kids’ gifts online. They had arrived on the 23rd, and I was able to hide them. Since I was scheduled to work on Christmas Eve, I barely made the Christmas pageant at the school, but I managed to purchase a video.
When we got home, the elderly lady met us with the church choir, and the kids got excited as the gift box revealed their gifts and my wife’s favorite groceries, enough to last us through New Years. The pastor prayed over our family, and he slipped an envelope into my pocket as they left.
My wife made a real feast for Christmas Eve, and I read the Nativity story. When the kids were in bed, I took my delivered gifts from the closet and placed them under the tree. I placed the envelope from the pastor on the tree, and told my wife that having the family together was the best present we could hope for. We both enjoyed watching “It’s a Wonderful Life” on television and went to bed.
I felt the joy of having the kids jump on the bed the next morning and begging us for breakfast and presents! My wife kissed everyone and made pancakes, bacon, eggs and juice for all. The presents were handed out, and seeing my son’s face when he got a bike, and my daughter’s face when she got an Ipad made me very happy.
My wife was shocked to see a new winter coat and gloves. I was the recipient of multiple hugs and kisses. My wife turned on the TV for Christmas specials, and disappeared into the kitchen. She came back and handed me my present. I was amazed to see a brand new took kit.
As I gathered up the wrappings, my wife noticed the envelope from the pastor, with the church logo on the front. I took it and told her that their visit and fine gifts were the best gift we could have asked for. She opened it up, read it for a moment, and dropped it on the floor as she gasped!
I picked up the note inside the card and read a legal document. It named my wife and I as the caretakers of the 50-acre property owned by the elderly lady from the church! Our duties and complete photos of the property, including a five-bedroom home and outbuildings, was clearly outlined. If we chose to sign on as her caretakers, we would inherit the property upon her death!
My wife quickly pointed out that our lease on the rental was up on New Year’s Eve. I told her I would contact the pastor and get a meeting set up with the elderly lady and her lawyer tomorrow.
My new took kit would be a great addition if we chose the position.
My wife cried tears of joy, and I was also surprised to learn the property was only 2 miles from the school and 5 miles from the plant. The meeting went well, and we happily signed the agreement. The pastor, told me that our family was the elderly lady’s answer to prayer. I assured him that this church was our answer to prayer!