Hank woke up to the insistent buzzing of the doorbell. He greeted the delivery driver with a confused expression, signed for the large box and headed for the couch.
"Good morning, mother," he said when he saw the return address. "What have you sent me?"
He sliced open the tape with practiced ease and pulled a letter out from among the packing peanuts.
Dear Henry –
Father and I were cleaning out the far corners of the attic when we found a box with your name on it. We were, of course, surprised. I thought we'd shipped the last of your things to you ages ago. Imagine our increased surprise when we found this treasure trove of books from your childhood…
Hank blinked, read that paragraph again and then set the letter aside in favor of digging through the peanuts to see what was buried underneath.
"Oh my stars and garters! My original copy of To Kill a Mockingbird!" He gently opened the book and leafed through the browning pages, inhaling that scent that old books always seemed to have. He set that aside too with a loving pat and continued to reveal book after book: Where the Wild Things Are followed next, then The Silent Spring, Jonathan Livingston Seagulland finally, a much-read biography of Vince Lombardi.
He picked up the letter from his mother again and continued to read.
… Anyway, I'm sure you've already replaced these, but I know how you are about books, dearest, and I couldn't just throw them away. I hope they bring you continued joy.
Father sends his love and do I. We look forward to seeing you again soon.
Mom.
Hank looked over at the small pile of books and smiled giddily. They were definitely going to bring him continued joy.