The Cardboard Box

Chapter Two: The Spirit of Love

Only a few silent moments have passed...

"You found the cardboard box, didn't you?" Shaggy dropped his head.

"Yes, but I wasn't spying, I was just dusting when I found it, it fell and all the envelopes fell out."

"I know, Velma. It's okay, I've wanted to tell you; just never found a good time."

Shaggy lifted his head, pointing into the sky, "see that star?"

"The North star?"

"I'm not a stargazer, I needed a star I could find easily. That is Terrie's star."

"Shaggy, who is Terrie?"

"My love child. Let's go downstairs, you deserve to know the whole story."

-Xxx

Velma, dressed for bed, lay next to Shaggy, "you don't have to tell me if you don't want to."

"Thanks for the out but you do need to know Terrie's story. I have something to show you." He took a large manila envelope; pulling a picture from it, handing it to Velma. A little girl stared back, black eyes, black straight hair.

"I said she was my love child, that part is true but not in the manner you're probably thinking. You've seen the advertisements; send money to help children in some third world country, the organization arranges fresh water, food, medical, schooling. We had just finished a mystery and I had some spare money so I applied. I got that." he indicated the envelope. "I couldn't pronounce her real name, 'Terrie' was as close as I could get."

"What happened, Shaggy?" Velma didn't want to hear what was coming.

"She was four years old in that picture. Maybe she just wanted to see the big trucks when the Communist gorillas came to her little village with it's dirt roads, muddy water, run down shacks.

"The gorillas claimed there were National spies working for the C. I. A.. A shouting match escalated to a fire fight. When the gorillas left there were four bodies in the dirty street. Terrie was one of the four. A senseless death by a stray bullet, in a senseless battle that proved nothing, in a country that doesn't even exist on any map anymore.

"The organization sent a letter; I read it once and put it in the envelope you're holding. It said I didn't have to send money any more. It took several months for me to get my head around what had happened. I never was good at writing letters but I started to write. A letter per week except when we were on a mystery. Anyway, I guess you could say Terrie and those letters helped me work through my grief."

"How are you feeling, now?" Velma whispered. She wanted to hold him, kiss his tears away.

"I'm fine now. I don't know why I continue to write the letters but I do, every week."

"Shaggy, do you know why I love you?" She wiped the tears from his cheeks instead.

"Why?"

"You are forever showing me a side of yourself that I never knew existed."

"Would you like to read the letters?"

"If you don't mind."

-Xxx

She retrieved the box from the closet, moving it to her old room. Over the following days she randomly selected and read letters beginning with the first document. What she found was a story of a man going through a difficult time in his life. Half way through the box, his writing changed.

Dear Terrie,

I've mentioned Velma several times but today while we were investigating a mystery, she jumped into my arms. What a feeling! She's always been a friend but I really like her. I hope she feels the same way.

Shaggy

Velma thought back, she had jumped into his arms on several occurrences. No way to determine which one he was referring to. She began to read each letter after that.

-Xxx

Fred and Daphne had returned from their honeymoon, tired but excited to be back home. That first night had been spent talking non stop.

Over the next few days plans for their own wedding only two weeks away took most of Velma's time but thoughts of the letters continued to intrude.

One night as they prepared for bed, Velma broached the subject of Terrie, "Shaggy, are you sure you're okay about Terrie?"

Crawling into bed, Shaggy replied. "Yes, but what have you got on your mind?"

"I was just wondering if you were ready to sponsor another child?" It felt good to snuggle in his arms. His touch could still raise goose bumps.

"I hadn't thought about it." Shaggy turned off the table lamp.

"I think we should. And find a frame for the picture, it's time to bring it out of the bottom drawer." In the darkness, their lips met, melded.

-Xxx

Velma turned in the mirror, examining the perfectly fitted dress. Cute was indeed cute. Of course, that hadn't been her opinion before Shaggy. She had grown up knowing she wasn't one of the 'beautiful people'. That all changed with Shaggy declaring his love for her and convincing her she was beautiful if only in his eyes. It had taken a lot of persuasion.

She sat at her desk; there was enough time for a short letter. She took a pad of writing paper and pen and let the words flow from mind down her arm into the pen and onto the paper.

Dear Elena,

I see you like running and singing. I've done my share of running and singing too.

This is my wedding day! I'm marrying my best friend. My dress is all white with a small veil. It has lots and lots of lace...

She wrote for another five minutes before carefully creasing the paper in thirds and placing it in the envelope to be mailed by Daphne while they were on their honeymoon.

Fred and Daphne had liked the idea of adopting a child so much that they had also applied and had received their welcome package with a picture of a boy just a few days before. The picture's of Terrie, Elena and Rico now adored the mantle over the fireplace.

"The limousine is here. It's time to go." Daphne entered the bedroom dressed in her bridesmaid dress.

Velma placed the letter in the new cardboard box that held two other letters. "I'm ready. Best not to keep them waiting."

"You look beautiful." Daphne observed as they passed the fireplace.

"I know. Thanks to Shaggy." Velma smiled. Nothing could tear them apart, no mystery, no ghost from the past; the spirit of their love would only make them stronger.

THE END