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You had been waiting for so long--
(Like a week.)
Basically forever--
(It hadn't been more than seven days.)
For this particular package to make its way into the hands of your neighbourhood's dutiful mailman.
Now, you knew that Eddie didn't control the mail. He was simply the conduit through which the mail was sent, sorted, and delivered. You knew he took his job with the utmost seriousness he could muster and would never, ever delay or otherwise withhold a package from its destined receiver without a genuine reason, like a lack of proper postage or a tornado, or something.
(And even if a tornado were to touch down in Home and cause whirlwinds of chaos, you were sure as anything that Eddie would simply put on a good raincoat and perhaps add some cleats to his shoes before strapping on his mailbag and heading out with the afternoon's deliveries.)
But even with said reasoning and logic, you still found your smile morphing into a scowl once you had gone through your morning and afternoon mail every morning and afternoon since sending along your letter and enclosed cheque to the
But today.
Today.
It had been a perfectly reasonable amount of time for a piece of mail to make its way through the post system. So perfectly timed that you were sure, with absolute, complete certainty, that it would be arriving this morning.
...
Which was why you were hovering around your door, houserobe tossed on your shoulders, peeking through the holes in your white knitted curtain (courtesy of Poppy) and searching for the orange felt of the ever duteous Eddie Dear.
It was early morning, so early the sky was a light white-blue, and it was around this time that Eddie would reach your house on his rounds. You had heard him crank the flag on your mailbox around now when you had letters, or the sound of his shoes on your front steps when he deposited a parcel. You knew he'd arrive any minute, any second, any moment now.
...
Aaaany moment now.
...
When you saw your neighbour's cheerful grin, holding a package under his arm, it took all of your strength to not slam the door open and run out. You were only in socks, and they'd get damp in the morning dew. Plus, you'd probably frighten Eddie.
Instead you waited, nearly buzzing in excitement and eyes incrementally growing wider as he ambled up the path and turned towards your house. He was only a few steps from your front door when you simply couldn't take it anymore.
"Eddie!!!" you shouted, throwing open your door with reckless abandon. Your shout garnered a reciprocal, surprised yelp from the mailman as he stopped on the spot and nearly jumped a foot in the air. He landed on his feet with a thump, whole body wavering for a moment as a dazed, frightened expression lingered on his face before he shook his head to clear it.
"Wh- good golly neighbour, y'got my stuffin' thumpin' harder then a hare's hind leg!" he said, letting out a loud, exaggerated sigh as he raised a hand to adjust his cap.
"Why're you up so early in the morning? It's..."
He turned his wrist to check his watch.
"Why it ain't even six thirty in the A-M! No one's up at this time-- save me 'n Wally, a'course."
You felt a yawn coming on when he mentioned the time, too weak willed to stop it from slipping out.
"Ooogh-- I know, I've just been waiting on that package for what seems like a million years." you said to him, leaning your shoulder on the doorframe.
Eddie looked at the package under his arm.
"This'ere thing?"
You nodded, and he chuckled.
"Ah, yeah, makes sense why you were all over the mail like a chicken on corn kernels."
Eddie reached into his mail bag with his free hand, sticking his tongue slightly out of his mouth as he rummaged around in it before pulling out a small handful of letters. He placed them on top of the box.
"Ya know, you can always come on down to the post office and check ta see if I've got yer mail. Ya don't have to wait for me ta deliver it."
You nodded, a crease in your brows as you took the package and letters and tucked them under your own arm.
"Oh, I wouldn't want to interrupt your work in some way..." you said, scratching at your cheek. Eddie shook his head.
"Wouldn't be botherin' me at all! Could use the company once in a while!"
You nodded again, tilting your head as you considered it.
"Alright then-- would you, um, like some tea? Or a cup of coffee?" you asked gesturing with a tilt of your head inside your home. Eddie shook his head rapidly.
"Oh no, I'm finer than a fiddle! Or is it fitter..? Anywho, that's a mighty kind offer, but I still got mail to deliver that ain't gonna deliver itself. Have a good rest'a yer mornin'."
"You too! Thank you!" you said, giving him a wave. Eddie tipped his hat with a warm smile before turning and walking away down the path.
Then, with a maniacal giggle, you retreated into your house to tear open your package.