Date: Wed, 04 Dec 1996 15:32:22 +0000

From: Joe Light <lightjoe@maco.net>

Subject: SRU:Home for the Holidays





Home for the Holidays



     Carla glared at her husband as he sat watching soap operas on tv. 

In the seven years since he had retired, it was getting harder and 

harder to get him to do much of anything. She had thought Jim would 

enjoy living in Florida. He loved golf, and still had the skills to play 

well. He just wouldn't do it. It wasn't that she begrudged him his 

relaxation, he had worked hard for almost fifty years and earned the 

rest. Still she grew daily more frustrated with him.

     The final straw came yesterday. Every year since they moved south, 

they would drive to Pennsylvania for the Holidays and visit with family, 

primarily her brother and sisters. She planned all fall for the trip, 

but yesterday Jim had declared that he didn't want to go. He didn't feel 

up to making the trip and just wanted to stay home this year.

     A rap at the door broke her reverie.

     "Delivery for Carla Delong." said the young man waiting there.

     "But I didn't order anything." Carla looked at the man and his 

truck. "And just who or what is SRU?"

     "It stands for Spells R Us, Mam. And if you are Mrs. Delong then my 

package is for you. It's already paid for, all you have to do is sign 

and I'll bring it right in"

     "Maybe it's an early present. Ok I'll sign."

      A few minutes later Carla stood in her bedroom admiring the 

beautiful antique dressing mirror the delivery man had brought. It was a

free standing mirror, oval in shape, on a stand that allowed it to be 

rotated to any angle, or even reversed. Oddly this one was mirrored on 

both sides. Carla then saw the note attached to the frame. Hoping it 

would provide some answers she picked it up.

     "My dear Mrs. Delong,

Knowing your need and how difficult it would be for you to visit my 

shop, I took the liberty of forwarding this item which I feel will be of 

some service to you. Do not concern yourself with payment, as my 

supervisors are 'encouraging' me to liquidate some of my stock toward 

worthy causes. Please read the following carefully. This is a magic 

mirror. To use it's powers you must...."

     After carefuly studying the instructions, Carla smiled toward the 

living room. She went to the closet and dug out some items she had 

thought she wouldn't use this year. Selecting the one she wanted, she 

held it in front of the mirror, then reached over and flipped the mirror 

to its opposite side.

     "Jim, could you come here for a minute?" She called.

     After what seemed like hours her husband slowly shuffled into the 

room.

     "What do you want, and what is it with this mirror? I hope we 

aren't paying for it. We have enough useless stuff around this house." 

Jim barked at her.

     Stifling a reply, Carla quietly said "Look how beautiful it is. 

Step up to it and look at yourself."

     When Jim did, Carla quickly reached over and flipped the mirror 

again. She watched Jim stiffen, his eyes wide with a look of surprise.

She stared in fascination as his body shrank before her eyes. Finally 

all that was left was a pile of dirty clothes with a green cord dangling 

out.

     With care not to tangle or brake him, Carla gathered her husband 

and the rest of her decorations and carried them outside. 

     Later, after giving careful attention to the placement of "Jim's" 

string of lights, she sat down to call her sister.

     "I'm afraid we won't be coming north this year for Christmas." 

Carla told her. "I decided to give in to Jim's wish this year and just 

let him hang around the house"