Bryan awoke the next morning feeling refreshed and eager to start what promised to be a very big day— in more ways than one.
He made his way to the kitchen for a cup of coffee. He saw his pre-labeled package on the table. Bryan picked up the box in one hand. He could hardly believe that, in about seven hours, he would make himself small enough to fit inside the package in preparation for being shipped to his nephew.
Bryan placed the box aside and started some coffee. Soon, the aroma of coffee filled the kitchen. After pouring himself a cup, the scientist took a seat at his table. He spooned some sugar from a bowl and sweetened his coffee. A few grains of sugar fell off the spoon and landed on the tabletop.
After a few sips of the sweetened cup of joe, Bryan sighed and looked at the box.
Bryan's mind raced ahead to thoughts about his nephew opening the box and finding him. Bryan tried to imagine what Zack would look like to him.
His earlier experiments with shrinking had given him an appreciation for the sheer enormous scale of his surroundings, but he had never yet encountered another human being from his drastically reduced perspective.
A small, dark form crawling across the tabletop drew him out of his daydreams.
"Damn ants!" Bryan muttered. He reached for a napkin and used it to reduce the tiny pest to a smear. After wiping up the spilled grains of sugar, which had attracted the tiny ant in the first place, Bryan stood and tossed the napkin into a trash can next to his kitchen counter.
Bryan looked down at the package and saw something that gave him pause. The ant had arrived with companions. He watched one of the tiny creatures crawl across the address label on the package.
With a shiver, Bryan realized that, once he put his plan in action, he would be no bigger than the ant. And, with one careless movement, his nephew would be capable of obliterating Bryan.
For the first time, Bryan paused in his headlong rush to continue with the plan. Still, he reasoned, there should be a way he could give Zack the surprise of a lifetime without putting himself at risk for any undue harm.
His ringing phone startled Bryan. His voice sounded shaky. "Hi, uh, hello," Bryan said.
"Hey, Uncle Bry!" Zack's voice greeted him with enthusiasm.
"Zack!" Bryan felt as if the phone call must be a twist of fate. "I'm really glad to hear from you."
"Thanks," Zack said. "I felt bad after our last talk. I didn't mean to act like a jerk."
"No," Bryan said. "Don't worry about it."
"Thanks. You're the greatest."
"Uh, Zack," Bryan began, "I am still sending you that package..."
"You don't have to do that," Zack said. "You've done enough for me."
"No, this is something I really want to do," Bryan said. "But I need to tell you a few things."
"Sure."
"Well, when the package arrives, treat it carefully."
"Is it fragile?" Zack inquired.
"Somewhat," Bryan answered. "It's very important that you open it carefully and take a close look at the contents."
"Sure," Zack said, intrigued by his uncle's precise instructions.
"A very close look, do you understand?" Bryan asked.
"Yeah, I'll be careful. I wouldn't want to break my present, Uncle B."
"Good," Bryan said. "All I want to add is that I think you're in for a big surprise."
Zack laughed. "Can't wait, Uncle B."
"Well, I can't wait to see you," Bryan said.
"Maybe for the holidays, right?"
"Or even sooner," Bryan said.
"I don't think I can manage to get away before then," Zack said. "And I know how busy you are at the lab."
"You never know," Bryan said, his enthusiasm for his scheme completely restored.
"Well, I can't wait to see what this big surprise is," Zack said. "Talk to you later."
"Yeah. Good bye, Zack."
Bryan made his way back to the kitchen table. He saw that a couple of other ants had joined their companion.
He took another napkin in hand, but this time he brushed the ants gently off the table instead of squishing them.
"Consider that your second chance, guys," Bryan said aloud. "I'm going on a trip, so that gives you time to vacate the premises before I return. If you're still here when I get back, all bets are off."
He moved to the sink and rinsed out his empty coffee mug.
Bryan looked at his watch. He now had time to take a shower and get ready for his big shrink.
He could hardly wait!
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
Community Newsfeed
General Discussion
Sponsored Items
Book of Trinkets
Static Items
Books
Groups
Interactive Stories
Audio
Campfire Creatives
Community Notes
Crossword Puzzles
Documents
Folders
Images
In & Outs
Madlibs
Photo Albums
Polls
Product Reviews
Quizzes
Survey Forms
Web Pages
Word Searches
More by this author