罗伯特·富尔古姆/RobertFulghum
Thecardboardboxismarked“TheGoodStuff”., theboxgoeswithmewhenIrun.
, staplesandseveralpaperclips, thereisaraggedripinonesidethroughwhichthecontentsmaybeseen.
, , shebecameanenthusiasticparticipantinpackinglunchesforherself, , apples, , .
“Whytwobags?”
“Theotheroneissomethingelse.”
“What'sinit?”
“Justsomestuff-takeitwithyou.”Istuffedbothsacksintomybriefcase, kissedthechildandrushedoff.
Atmidday, whilehurriedlyscarfingdownmyreallunch, ItoreopenMolly', threesmallstones, aplasticdinosaur, apencilstub, atinyseashell, twoanimalcrackers, amarble, ausedlipstick, asmalldoll, twochocolatekissesand13pennies.
, Isweptthedeskcleanintothewastebasket-leftoverlunch, Molly''tanythinginthereIneeded.
ThateveningMollycametostandbesidemewhileIwasreadingthepaper.
“Where'smybag?”
“Whatbag?”
“Youknow, theoneIgaveyouthismorning.”
“Ileftitattheoffice, why?”
“Iforgottoputthisnoteinit.”Shehandedoverthenote,“Besides, Iwantitback.”
“Why?”
“Thosearemythingsinthesack, Daddy, , 'tlosethebag, didyou, Daddy?”Tearspuddledinhereyes.
“Oh, ,”Ilied,“?”
Asshehuggedmyneckwithrelief, Iunfoldedthenotethathadnotgottenintothesack,“Iloveyou, Daddy.”
-oh.
Ilookedlongatthefaceofmychild.
, buthadthrownitawaybecause“therewasn'tanythinginthereIneeded.”
Itwasn'tthefirstorthelasttimeIfeltmyDaddypermitwasabouttorunout.
.
“Losesomething?”
“Yes, mymind.”
“It'sprobablyinthere, 'sitlooklike, andI'llhelpyoufindit.”'tfeelanymoreofafoolthanIwasalreadyinfact, soItoldhim.
