Stardust

A Knock At The Door

On this bone-chilling night, a sad breeze blows, setting the tone for the tale you are about to hear. I wish it was a happy story, but, unfortunately, as will be discovered, it is not. The Yearwood family sits in silence in their living rooms because of unspoken heaviness. Rebecca and David are joined by Cassie, their daughter, as they quietly watch a classic movie, their minds lost in the bleakness of the moment. In overwhelming silence, an unexpected knock disrupts the atmosphere, leaving the family perplexed as to who is visiting them on this cold Christmas Eve. Rebecca and David exchange bewildered glances before making their way to the door, the dim porch light provides little visibility of the two figures on the snow-covered pavement, heightening the confusion. The door swings open, revealing the presence of two officers, one of whom is carrying a peculiar box. The wind gently howls, as Rebecca and David share a glance, then turn their attention back to the officers. The older gentleman addresses the Yearwoods.

“Mr. & Mrs Yearwood?”

David responds, his voice filled with curiosity, “Yes, that’s us. How can we help you tonight?”

The officers requested to enter the house, and Rebecca nodded, opening the door wider to allow them inside.

“Would you like a cup of tea, coffee, or perhaps hot cocoa?” Rebecca offers hospitably trying to alleviate tension

The officer suggested with a nod replies, “That would be lovely. It’s going to be a long night.”

Cassie, drawn to the commotion, stands up from the couch. Just as she is about to leave for her room, one of the officers addresses her. She freezes in her tracks and is unsure of what they may say. Just then, Rebecca emerges from the kitchen, balancing the lukewarm beverages in her hands. As Cassie, Rebecca, and David lock eyes, the officer’s words are palpable in the air.

“It’s best you stay my dear. It’s about Ethan,” the officer states, his words sending a wave of disbelief through Rebecca’s being.

Overwhelmed, she stumbles, losing her footing, the younger officer is quick to catch her to prevent the drinks from spilling. David rushes to Rebecca’s side, steadying her as she grasps her footing.

“Oh, my, I’m so... Th-thank you,” she stammers, filled with surprise and gratitude. The young officer assures her, “My pleasure.”

The drinks were placed on the table alongside the paused classics, which had become a backdrop of this extraordinary night. The corner of the small room, a barely decorated tree stand, is a visual representation of the turmoil within the Yearwood family. As the officers settle, they gesture for Rebecca and David to them, and the family takes their seats, united in a mix of anticipation and apprehension.

As anticipation weighs heavily in the air, a deafening silence engulfs the room. Cassie, unable to bear the silence any longer, decides to break it.

“You mentioned Ethan, but He has been gone for... nine months,” she says, her voice filled with both sorrow as well as confusion.

The officers exchange glances before one of them responds, “We are deeply sorry for your loss. However, we have new information about Ethan that he would like to share with you. With that being said, here.” The officers produced a small entriging box filled with a few items from Ethan.

The room was filled with heightened anticipation and tension. Rebecca, overcome with emotions, choked up her words as tears filled her eyes.

“Where... where did you find these things?” she uttered.

The officers lock eyes briefly once again before the younger one explains, “I’m not sure how to put this, but one day Officer Steele found this box on his front porch. No one witnessed how it got there or where it came from. There was no address or indication of its origin.”

Rebecca, filled with a mixture of grief and curiosity, asks, “May I see what’s inside?”

The older officer, understanding her pain, hands Rebecca the box, which contains cherished items belonging to her late son. The first thing she pulls out is an envelope with the words “To the Yearwoods.” written on the front. Rebecca and David’s eyes filled up as they behold the front of the envelope. Cassie reaches out, takes a peek, and tears immediately begin streaming down her face. The officers sat in empathy, witnessing the profound distress of the Yearwoods.

“That’s Ethan’s handwriting,” His Father speaks, his voice filled with both sorrow and wonder.

“Open it,” Rebecca states as she begins to wipe the tears from her eyes.

“I want to know what it says.” She states.

“O..okay,” David replies As he begins to gently open the top of the envelope. Trying hard not to tear the precious gift that is bestowed inside.

David pulls out the letter. and begins to unfold it.

“It reads...

Dear Mom, Dad, and Sissy,

If you’re reading this, it means that I am no longer with you. I understand that you must be feeling a mix of sadness and anger, but I want to assure you that I love you all very much. The pain and suffering I once endured has finally come to an end. I am at peace now, and I no longer have to endure the constant sickness and discomfort.

I apologize for running away, but I want you to know that my last adventure was truly amazing. Unfortunately, I could not bring you with me, as there was no way to return once I left. However, please know that I wanted to spend my remaining time with you on Earth. However, I did not want to burden you with the emotional stress caused by my medical bill. Not to mention, it broke my heart to hear you arguing about this and to know that Cassie felt neglected due to my condition.

But now, I want to share my incredible journey with you. Inside this box, you will find memories of my adventure. So, buckle up because this will be the ride of your life. I hope that my final wish to go to space brings you some comfort and happiness, knowing that I got to experience something extraordinary.

Forever and always, yours truly,

Ethan.”

David carefully sealed the letter and placed it back into the envelope. The room fell silent, with nothing but sniffles and the sound of tears streaming down everyone’s cheeks. The younger female officer tried her best to maintain her composure but couldn’t hold back the flood of emotions, as the atmosphere was heavy with grief, overpowering the duties of their job.

Clearing his throat, the older officer rose slowly from his seat, followed by the composed but tear-stained face of the younger officer. “We will take our leave now and allow you to go through your sons’ belongings. We hope that this brings you some peace and perhaps sheds light on his last nine months.” He handed Rebecca his business card as a gesture of ongoing support. “If there’s anything we can do for you, please don’t hesitate to reach out.”

Rebecca and David, appreciate the officer’s kindness. As they rose from the couch, all four of them made their way to the front door. Just before leaving, Rebecca and David warmly embraced both officers and expressed heartfelt gratitude. They realized that this unexpectedly provided them with the closure they desperately needed.

As they left, Rebecca and David closed the door gently and returned to the living room, where Cassie sat patiently. She eagerly began to explore the contents of the extraordinary box, seeking a deeper understanding of her brother’s final days. Among the items, she discovered his favorite hat, the one he wore when his hair started to fall out. She held it closely and inhaled deeply. “It still smells like him,” she exclaimed, finding solace in the familiar scent that provided a sense of comfort.

The Yearwoods were feeling drained and emotionally spent as the night grew late. The contents of the box still held mysteries waiting to be revealed, but they unanimously decided to call it a night and agreed that it would be best to get some rest and reconvene in the morning. allowing time for rest and a fresh start on Christmas Day.