“Wait, Benny! You can’t leave yet! They’re here to take our picture! Say CHEESE!”
“Okay, but please don’t be too long. I can hardly wait! I wonder who’s sending me a package . . . I don’t think so, but thanks for thinking about her. That’s a pretty long walk, and Flossie is looking a little tired. Hurry back!”
“Well, Flossie, isn’t this an exciting day? We’re getting a package from someone. I don’t know how I’m going to make it until Benny gets back. Maybe I could tidy up around here a bit. The house always need a good dusting. Oh, Flossie, look at this Aulani poster. That’s my dream vacation, you know. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to wake up and find yourself in Hawaii, at the Disney Aulani Resort? It would be more than wonderful for me.” Sigh “I’d better hurry, or I won’t be done when Benny gets back. And it’d be a shame to leave my cleaning half-finished today. It isn’t every day a girl gets a box in the mail that’s addressed to HER and not just occupant. And cleaning is always here. What’s that? Is Benny back already?”
“He is! Oh, yoo hoo! Benny! That was super fast! It looks heavy. What do you think is in there? Come on, Flossie, let’s go and take a look. It’s such a big box! What? Silly boy. Of course, I don’t want to wait. I need to open the box right now. Let’s just forget about the dust. It’ll still be there later. Now, let’s see who it’s from . . .”
“Who’s it from, Benny? What does the label say? Is it really addressed to me? Oh, my! It’ such a beautiful box. Of course, a box can too be beautiful. Flossie, look! It’s for me! And it’s from my friends who went all the way to Hawaii on a dream vacation.”
“Benny, can you read the labels? My eyes are a little runny right now. Must be the dusting.” Sniff “Ooh, and it’s Priority Mail. Someone really wanted us to get this quickly. So, what do the labels says?”
“They say, ‘FROM Grace & Karissa, c/o Aulani, Hawaii’ and ‘SHIP TO Nanea, Islandshire’. Why don’t you open it?” Sniff “Beautiful? Nanea, it’s just a cardboard box. It isn’t any better because it was shipped from Aulani. They use the same cardboard that we use here.”
“Oh, Benny! You just don’t understand what a box from Aulani means to a girl. I wonder what’s in it. It’s awfully large. Does it rattle? Well, you carried it here. You should know. Okay, I’ll open it. But don’t you love trying to guess? That’s half the fun, you know. Now, let me see. Flossie, can you think of anything that big that we’ve been hoping for?”
“Look, even Flossie says, ‘Open the box, Nanea.’ Well, she’s thinking it. I can tell by the way she’s pecking at the side of the box. Why don’t we just do it? I’ve got my box cutter right here.” Rip Slice “Hey, look there. A note. Maybe you should read it before you look through the box. Well, let me have it. I’ll read it.”
“Oh, Benny! Look! An authentic seashell necklace from Aulani. I know, but our shells aren’t from Aulani. Isn’t it amazing? These are special! I wonder how Grace & Karissa knew I always wear a flower in my hair. And I don’t have one this color! Okay, I’m listening. Go ahead and read it out loud. Ooh, I want everyone to be as happy as I am right now. And my very first souvenir letter from Hawaii. Oh, look, Benny! Flossie wants to read it!” Giggle
Dear Nanea,
We thought you would enjoy these souvenirs from Aulani. Be sure to have ‘Olu and LinaBell help you unpack it all. We hope the new fashion accessories go with one of your outfits. Aloha!
Grace & Karissa
(Cluck cluck.)
“What a good idea! I’ll go get them, now. Back in a minute. Don’t start without me. Oh, Benny, you’re such a good brother! Thank you for sharing this moment with me. I’ll be right back. Hey, Benny, think it’d be okay if I bring Mickey and Minnie, too? That’s what I thought. Here we are. Aren’t they just adorable?”
“I don’t think I’ll ever have a more special day than this. Almost everyone I love most is right here. You, and Flossie, and my plush. Right. Well, some of my plush. And you notice I did put you ahead of Flossie.” Giggle “It’s a good thing we don’t have a plush store here on the island, or we’d have a sleeping problem in the house. There’s barely room for me in the bed anymore. Hmm. Maybe you have room in the hammock.” Batting Eyelashes “No? I didn’t really think so, but I’m not expecting to buy anymore plush right now anyway. So, you and your hammock are safe.” Giggle “Now, let’s see what’s in the box. Should we move the tissue and take a peek?”
“Ooh, I just know it’ll be something wonder–” Silent Stare followed by Squeal of Delight “Oh, Benny! Look! It’s Duffy Bear, and he’s dressed like YOU!”
“Mind if I take a look? Hey, man. You’re pretty cute. You know, Nanea, come to think of it, there might be room in the hammock for one plush. If your bed gets full, Duffy can sleep with me.”
“Hey, everybody! Meet Duffy Bear!” Muffled Murmurs from the Group “Oh, Benny. Everyone knows that plush don’t talk. You’re so funny! Isn’t Duffy amazing?! But don’t worry. I think there’s room for him in my bed with the others. Besides, he’d get lonely without his friends. Well, because I know, that’s all. Plush may not talk but they still have feelings. Now, Duffy, you sit right here with the others, and Nanea will finish unpacking her box.”
“Uh oh. Nanea, you’d better not make any permanent sleeping arrangements just yet. Look what’s next.”
“Oh, Benny! Look!” Jump Jump Jump “Look! It’s Shellie May, Duffy’s friend. And she’s dressed like ME! Isn’t she amazing?! Oh, I don’t think I’ll ever be happier than I am right now. And we’ll make room for her if I have to sit up all night. Ooh! Isn’t she the cutest?! And just look at the seashells on her sandals! And the flower in her hair matches mine exactly!”
“Um, Nanea. You’d better put her down with the others and look under this tissue paper in the box. I’ll wait . . . Yeah, she’s real cute. I wonder if I still have that old sleeping bag in the basement.”
“Oh, Benny! I need to sit down! This is more wonderful than even I could imagine! I think the dust is getting to my eyes again. Can you believe it? It’s Stella Lou and Gelatoni! And he’s dressed like you, too! Isn’t he adorable?! And look at his hat! Ooh, feel his tail. It’s silky soft. And Stella Lou! Oh, my–” Silence then Quiet Voice Filled with Awe “Benny, look at her skirt. Her skirt. What do you see? It’s the . . . Aulani arches. And it says ‘Aulani’. Right there on her skirt.” Sniff ” Not one. Not two. Not even three. But FOUR of my very own plush souvenirs straight from Aulani. And it says so right there. Isn’t this amazing?!”
“Let me put Gelatoni with the others, and we’ll set them up for a picture. You can recycle the box, but I’d like the labels for my keepsake box. And you’d better let me have the tissue paper, too. I’ll bet Bunty can use that in the Sheep Shop. Now, who do you want to stand next to, Gelatoni– More?! Are you sure?! Just let me put the little kitty down with Duffy, and I’ll be right back. It’s a good thing we didn’t send the box to recycling before we dug to the bottom.” Giggle
“Are you sure there’s more in there? Maybe that’s just packing under the tissue paper. Ooh, Benny! You’re right! I see more plush! Oh, I can’t believe my eyes!”
“That’s it, the box is clean. Nanea? What’s wrong? Oh. What’s that one’s name? Nanea? What’s the little puppy’s name? Cookie Ann? That’s better. Uh-oh, I think the dust is getting to you again. Hey, that puppy’s bathing suit sure is cute. Looks like something you’d like to wear. Hasn’t this been a fun day? I’ll bet you can’t wait to show all your new plush to Janie. I’ll go over tomorrow and pick her up. She can spend the day with you and play with your new friends. Put Cookie Ann over there with the others, and we’ll sit back and admire them all together. Man, this sure does explain why that big box didn’t weigh much.”
“That’s a good-looking group, Nanea. Let’s see. That makes four girls and three boys in your Duffy & Friends collection now. How much room did you say you could find in your bed? Wait, please don’t look like that. It’s okay. I’ve been thinking. Maybe the boys could sleep with me. No, no, really. I can find more room in the hammock than you can in that bed of yours. And the boys could join the others up there during the day. Really, I don’t mind at all. Anyway, those three plushies are all dressed like me, and island boys stick together, you know. Besides, it’s been a fun day, and those little guys would remind me of how happy you’ve been. Hey, what’s wrong with Flossie? Look at her. I’m not joking. She looks green.” Raucous laughter “Nanea, look at Flossie! She’s “green with envy”. Ha ha. No, I’m not laughing at her. You take care of Flossie, and I’ll recycle the box.” Soft Chuckles
“There, there, Flossie. How could you even think I’d love those little stuffed animals more than you? Why, you’re my very own Grand Champion Chicken! Let’s go get a nice piece of cornbread. That’ll make you feel better. There you go, girl. Now, just a little nap while Benny and I take a break. Oh, Flossie, I’m so happy!”
“Oh, Benny, I’m glad you’re back! How about a group photo for my keepsake box? Yes, it has been an amazing day. I was thinking about it while you were gone. I’m not sure, but this might have been more fun than a real trip to Aulani. I mean, sometimes an unexpected surprise from thoughtful friends can make you happier than just the doing or having of something ever could. While Aulani is still my dream vacation, and I hope to visit there some day, an amazing box of souvenirs sent from there sure does make the waiting easier. Oh, I think it’s time now for the picture. On the count of three, look at the camera and say ALOHA! One . . . two . . . three–DUFFY!”
(Benny’s the tall one in the back. I have to go and figure out sleeping arrangements, now. What do you think? Should I just squeeze in with them all or let the boys sleep with Benny?)