Unexpected Treasures: A Storm, a Trailer, and the Mystery Boxes

Poor Man Houses Family in His Old Trailer during Storm, Finds Dozen of Boxes near Home Next Day

As Adam and his family turn on the radio to enjoy supper, a severe weather warning comes on. The storm gets worse as the night goes on, and the family is forced to seek shelter in the run-down caravan in their yard.

Adam proceeded to arrange the dinner table by retrieving bowls from the cabinet. His wife Maggie was honing a fish stew on their two-plate cooker in their small kitchen.

She questioned, “Parsley with fish stew, yes or no?”

Adam answered, “Yes, my mum used either parsley or coriander.”

Maggie grabbed the parsley from the yellow pot that was resting on the ledge. She cherished cultivating her own veggies and plants. It was her weekend pastime, she said. Adam, though, was aware that the true reason was so she would always have some fresh veggies on hand to prepare for their dinners. Their family will always have food in this way.

While he arranged the table and removed some bread, he heard the children laughing in their room.

Adam winced as he remembered his twisted ankle from work, then smiled again. His boots got wet in the construction site puddle, and he was worried about getting them dry for work. If not, he would have to spend more time in the office filing paperwork and would have to work fewer hours for less money. In addition, he had to purchase Maggie’s epilepsy prescription.

“Supper is prepared. Could you please get the children?” Distracting him from his thoughts, Maggie questioned.

“Obviously. Could we possibly have some music playing while we eat?”

Grinning, Maggie turned on the radio.

Emma, eight, was laying on her bed in the children’s room, and Charlie, five, was colouring a picture of a dinosaur.

“Did Emma draw that?” Charlie was asked by Adam.

“I did, Dad,” a sitting-up Emma replied. “I finished my homework early and drew it for Charlie so he can colour it.”

Adam reminded them to wash their hands before calling them to dinner and praising her effort.

Maggie had served the bread and stew in the kitchen. She lit two candles, adding a little something extra to the plain arrangement for their kids. Adam observed her as she steadied herself on a chair.

“Are you okay, Mommy?” Emma sat down and inquired.

With a “I am,” Maggie answered. “It’s just been a very long day, and I’m ready for bed.” Returning to the kitchen, she went to fetch a pitcher of water.

“But you have to eat first, Mommy!” Breaking off a slice of bread, Charlie said.

Adam firmly stated, “And that’s exactly what Mom is going to do.” Her blood pressure had plummeted so low the last time she skipped a meal that Adam had to drive her to the doctor.

He questioned Maggie, “Are you okay?”

“I just feel this intense pressure in my head,” she stated. “There was that massive storm the previous time this occurred. Thus, it seems likely that we will have a storm tonight. That’s it.

Adam took her word for it, since Maggie had read most of the epilepsy-related books available at the town library when she was diagnosed. She’s gotten extremely adept at handling it since then. She had very few seizures since she began researching epilepsy, if Adam had to think about it.

“But you’re feeling fine, otherwise?”

Indeed. All I’ll have to do is exercise caution if there is any lightning,” she remarked as she walked back to the table.

Maggie asked the children, “So, tell us about school,” as she took a seat.

“I’m working on a science project soon. We might create a volcano or a tornado,” Emma remarked.

She asked Adam, “Dad, how do we make a tornado?”

He said, “We could try to build a structure out of steel wool.” With the children, he always enjoyed working on projects.

Rain started as they were eating, and a severe weather alert cut through the music on the radio.

“There is a tornado warning in effect. Please seek shelter right away. Remain inside. Avoid going outside. Keep your windows closed. People, be aware that this is a risky and uncertain scenario.”

Maggie and Adam exchanged anxious looks, both of them worried about their flimsy roof.

“Dad, what’s happening?” Emma asked.

Maggie said to Emma, “There’s a storm warning, but we’re ready.”

They did not say anything after they finished eating.

Adam peered out the kitchen window at the rain that was getting heavier. Maggie remarked, “At least my head predicted this one,” as she was clearing dishes.

Adam was worried about his ankle pain and the roof.

Maggie noticed Adam’s anxious expression and said, “We’ll be fine, Adam.” “We just need to keep the children calm.”

Adam took another look outside and saw that the weather was becoming worse. He had to call an urgent family meeting.

Adam stated, “Okay, family meeting,” as he sat down next to his kids. “We’re going to sleep in our clothes tonight, not pyjamas.”

Charlie questioned, “Why?”

“You heard the weatherman,” Adam answered back. “We need to be ready for anything.”

“Exactly,” Maggie said.

After a few hours, Maggie and Adam were sleeping in their bedroom after getting the kids dressed in their cosiest yet warmest clothes. Maggie insisted on sleeping in one room with the entire family.

In the middle of the night, Adam woke up and made his way around the home. He pulled out his trusty old torch because the electricity had gone off a time ago. Maggie was sleeping with the kids, and for that he was thankful. Now that the thunder and lightning had begun, he wasn’t sure how they would deal with Maggie having a seizure.

Adam heard leaking as soon as he entered the kids’ bedroom. He observed a developing leak when he pointed his torch towards the ceiling. He mumbled, “Damn it,” and slid a bucket beneath the leak. However, things weren’t good. Anything could happen to the roof at any time.

He woke Maggie and showed her how things were becoming worse. “We have to get out, right?” Startled, Maggie enquired.

Adam said to Maggie, “I’ll clear out the caravan,” as she was gathering water and food.

Despite the wind and rain, Adam braved the storm to make it to the caravan. He started arranging it as a makeshift shelter as soon as he was inside.

A buddy had given Adam the dilapidated caravan. Though he lacked the funds, he wanted to fix it for family road vacations. The caravan was eventually used as a storage space for equipment and other random stuff.

Adam discovered the mould inside the caravan while attempting to create room for his family. Although he didn’t want to raise his children in such a setting, he was forced to. The cold and rain made his ankle discomfort worse, but he persisted.

Maggie observed him organising their trailer’s mess in the interim. She was aware that his swollen ankle caused him discomfort. Adam came back, and they hurried to the caravan after waking Charlie and Emma.

Adam led the way, covering Emma from the rain. Charlie trailed behind Maggie. Adam went back inside to get some clothes, towels, and other needs.

Maggie washed the mattresses in the caravan while Emma and Charlie watched the storm.

“Come on over here,” she beckoned.

“When Dad comes,” a disgruntled Emma replied.

Maggie had no reason to blame them. The home was only across the lawn, but being in the rain and storm had made them realise how serious things were.

“There he is!” Emma cried out when Adam came back, drenched.

Adam fumbled with his boots in agony. Maggie, who wished she could do more, assisted him in taking them off. With the storm raging, the family took their place.

Adam watched his family go to sleep and their house be destroyed by the storm. He was powerless to keep their house intact. He fell asleep in the driver’s seat.

The rain had stopped by morning, and the sun was shining brilliantly. Gazing out of the caravan, Adam and Maggie saw their wrecked house.

Adam told Maggie, “We’ll fix it,” despite her concerns about money.

“Where is the roof?” Emma questioned, observing the harm.

“Honey, it was the storm,” Adam clarified.

“Adam, what’s that?” Maggie questioned, gesturing to a stack of boxes under a tarp that was positioned directly next to the trailer door.

One by one, Adam opened the boxes and discovered food, drink, and necessities. In one of the boxes, he even discovered pain relievers.

Maggie, meanwhile, discovered a note among the goods that said:

“The storm did not damage the library. When you’re ready, come here,” it commanded.

The family decided to look into it and strolled over to the library. They noticed folks milling about as they got there. There were tables inside with various supplies arranged in case someone needed them. There was also a children’s play area.

Diane, the librarian and friend of Maggie, remarked, “I was so worried,” as she walked up to them. “I heard that your side of town was hit the most by the storm!”

“It was fairly awful,” Maggie informed her. “We remained in the caravan till the situation subsided. However, this morning we noticed that the majority of our roof had collapsed.”

“Oh no!” Diane let out a cry and gripped Maggie’s hand.

Adam said to them, “I’m going to take the kids to the play area,” and he walked them out.

Maggie stated, “Adam is really stressed out about the whole thing.”

Diane said to her, “I get it. “Did you get the boxes?”
“That was you?” Maggie asked, gripping her hand even more firmly.

“Yes, but I asked my son to drop it off because I had to set up here,” Diane clarified.

Di, I’m grateful, Maggie said.

Maggie got tears in her eyes. Maggie and Adam could finally relax knowing that someone was watching out for them. With adults and other kids in similar circumstances, their kids were safe and secure in the library, so they could relax. And Maggie was happy with that.

“Listen, I know you’re probably stressed about where to go,” Diane responded. However, you need to know that your family is welcome to stay at my house. It’s also more than just a stopgap till you locate somewhere else. Maggie, you are welcome to remain as long as you need to. Really, I do.”

Maggie gave a nod and gathered Diane in her arms.

Maggie remarked, “I wouldn’t know how to thank you,” in response to Diane’s hair.

“I could use your assistance with cooking,” smiled Diane. “You know I hate cooking.”

Maggie chuckled.

Emma and Charlie, meanwhile, raced to play in the section of the library reserved for them after spotting other kids from their school. Adam was alone himself as he watched them, smiling as one of the nurses came over.

She said, “Sir, do you need anything?”

He paused and said, “Uh.” “Yes, in actuality. My ankle,” he murmured. “I twisted it yesterday at work, and I haven’t stopped moving since. Are you able to have a look at it?

She answered, “Come with me, of course.”

Adam allowed the nurse to guide him to the medical supplies located in a different section of the library. She looked at his ankle.

“Oh, what a boy,” she exclaimed. “This must hurt.”

“Like hell,” he concurred.

Adam was given strict instructions by the nurse before being discharged after she had attended to his ankle. “All right, I understand that you want to see your wife and kids. But locate them, and take a seat,” she uttered.

Adam departed after thanking her.

Maggie was having tea with Diane when he found her.

She added, “Diane brought the boxes, Adam.”

“Diane,” he sat down across from them. “I’m grateful. How then can we pay you back?”

“By remaining at my house till your house is arranged. On Monday, my kid is heading back to university, so I’ll be spending time by myself once more. I’ll like having your family here at home.”

With a smile, Adam grasped her hand. “I’m grateful,” he said. “Truly.”