In a Locked Box

As her world fell apart, her glassy marble eyes wander to the small plastic treasure chest with the shiny golden lock.

As they seemingly lock eyes with each other, the girl smiles slightly. She hesitantly reaches for the silver metallic key. With shaky, wet fingers, she opens the creaky lid widely.

A crumpled piece of paper with soothing words from her mother while she was at sleep away camp,

A wrapper of a cherry dum-dum with rips and wrinkles covering up the label,

Laminated cards of hopeful quotes from a teacher she had long ago,

A picture of her and her two friends with rosy cheeks, and purple lips, playing in the snow,

A grass green crayon broken in half,

Pennies and dimes that stick to the bottom of the dark box.

Erasers with different barnyard faces: Pigs, horses, and cows stare intently at her,

And finally, a sticker of a happy face. Under the face is the word smile in bold black print.

She laughs to herself as she closes the creaky lid, and hides the shimmering key.