The Solidarity Project.
While the quarantine affects the whole world, the POstables are called to participate to the Solidarity project. The characters belong to the talented Martha Williamson.
Author's note : This story were an entry in the Heroic Actions category of the Quarantine Writing Challenge.
General information.
To the employees of the Denver Post Office.
The solidarity project will take place on Monday, May 11th and the post office will be open.
This project on a voluntary basis is limited to 15 people and aims to deliver food parcels as well as medical equipment. All the material necessary for your protection will be provided to you to work in the best conditions on this day.
To register and participate in this day, please send an e-mail to this address or call the phone number below and indicate the time slot, 10am-1pm or 2pm-5pm.
Thank you everyone for your help.
Very sincerely.
J.M
Director in charge of the Solidarity project.
Shane McInerney sent an email immediately. She had been in quarantine at home for three weeks and wanted to do something to help people.
Oliver O'Toole read the note and picked up the rotary phone.
Rita was finishing the e-mail registrations when Norman came in with bags of groceries.
"Rita, darling. And I didn't find your favorite pasta," Norman said as he came into the house.
"That's too bad." Rita exclaimed, disappointed.
Norman thought for a moment and ran to climb up the cupboard of food.
"Norman, what are you doing?" Rita asked, laughing as Norman squirmed around.
" I've found it ! I knew there had to be a pasta packet left somewhere," Norman said after jumping out of the cupboard.
"Norman, you are so wonderful", Rita exclaimed.
The D-day, at the afternoon, the POstables arrived at the post office. Different rooms had been set up and the few people present wear masks. They grabbed their protective gear and headed for the reception desk. Hazel kept a ledger to check the registration.
"Thank you very much Hazel. I see that everything is well organized and under control," Oliver exclaimed with a smile.
"Yes, it is. You are expected in room A-12, it's right next to the terminal annex. See you later," Hazel said, whose POstables could see her smile through her mask.
They headed to the designated room and ran into some colleagues coming out. It was a large room with a table and a lot boxes in the back. The person in charge of the project was standing from behind and reading a register. Then he turned to the post office employees.
"Welcome my dear POstables," he exclaimed.
"Jordan Marley!" Oliver exclaimed, surprised.
"Jordan, it's amazing to find you here," Shane added.
"Well, after overseeing to the Santa's letters project, it seemed more than obvious to me to take the Solidarity project. And I believe a lot has changed in your lives since my last visit," Jordan said.
"Yes, a lot. So what can we do to help you?" Norman asked
Jordan looked at the register.
"There are still a few packages left... Norman, here's for you, the auxiliaries at St. Clare's need syringes and test tubes for testing... Shane, here are some food parcels to deliver to different addresses... Rita, some medicine to deliver to the clinic in Denver... Oliver, here are some masks, tablets and books for a retirement home" Jordan says as he assigns them the different tasks.
"Can we write on the parcels, " From the Denver Post Office with love?" Rita suggested
" Of course... Oh, well, now, everyone's already started the solidarity project." Jordan said looking at his watch.
"You mean it's a project that's going on all over the United States?" Shane asked
"Actually, it's a global project... As we speak around the world, postal workers are doing what you're doing," Jordan Marley replied
" That's so cool! "Norman exclaimed.
"Well, now all we have to do is deliver," The postal detective said.
"Good luck," Jordan said to them before they left.
Norman, Shane, Rita and Oliver spent the afternoon delivering packages. Every time they passed by, they were greeted with smiles.
"Mommy, look at the big package we got, it's huge. Thank you so much," said one little girl when Shane delivered a package to a family.
"Oh, thank you. It's a miracle, since a long time, we've been waiting to receive the stock of drugs for our patients. Thank you so much," says a clinic employee says to Rita.
" From the POstables with courage and love. It's really kind," one nurse said as she picked up a parcel from Norman.
"God bless you. We were running out of books. People need to keep contact with their families. It's nice to see so much support, especially now." an employee of the retirement home said to Oliver.
At the end of the day, all deliveries were completed and the POstables met Jordan Marley at the post office.
"Bravo! You all did a great job. All the packages were delivered for everyone... By the way, Shane, Rita, Oliver and Norman, I know you all love miracles, and I have one last mission for you" Jordan announced.
He took an envelope out of his suit jacket.
" It's a Dead Letter who wasn't included in the system. This envelope was addressed to Denver Mercy Hospital but the recipient's name was erased. It's a letter from a little boy who hopes to see his dad again soon," Jordan said as he handed the envelope to Oliver.
The postal detective opened the envelope to read the letter.
Dear Dad,
It's been three weeks since you left our pretty little mountain town of Breckenridge to help out at Denver Mercy Hospital.
Me and mom are fine.
Denver is a big city and you have surely a lot of work to do. I hope all sick people get well soon.
Every night, before I go to sleep, I pray and look out the window to see the mountains.
I'm sure you do the same thing there.
We miss you so, so, so, so, So much.
I hope you come home soon.
I love you, daddy.
Louis Berkeley.
Wellington Road
Breckenridge, Co 80424.
"Wow, this letter is really beautiful," Shane remarked.
"And we're going to deliver it, immediately, thank you very much Jordan," Oliver declared.
"It was my pleasure. Thank you guys for coming. Now, my mission here is over and I have to go. Goodbye," Jordan said.
He walked out of the room when Oliver run and calls him.
"Jordan, wait!"
"Yes, Oliver?" Jordan asked, turning around.
"The Christmas tree in the DLO last time, and today, this project, it was you, isn't ?" Oliver asked.
"Oliver, don't forget that a miracle can happen at any time, even when all seems lost. Nothing can replace the faith and hope that one can have. And that's what you do every day, delivering the mail. Goodbye, Oliver," Jordan Marley said before he left.
Denver Mercy Hospital.
Nurses were running around while doctors were examining patients. The Postables have entered in the hospital and waiting.
"Now all we have to do is find Dr. Berkeley," Rita remarked.
"Everybody must be busy" Shane added.
"Hello. Excuse me, can I help you?" asked a doctor who was passing by with a medical chart.
"Hello, yes. We're looking for a Dr. Berkeley who works here," Norman answered.
"Right in front of you. I'm Dr. Peter Berkeley," he said, surprised.
"It's a miracle! We're from the Denver Postal Service. My colleagues and I found a letter. Sorry we had to open it to locate you," Oliver said as he handed the letter to him.
The doctor opened it and smiled.
" It's not easy, but we work very hard, every day. And we will continue to do. This letter makes me really happy and I really needed it. Thank you very much. I don't even know your names" asked Dr. Berkeley.
" Just remember the POstables," Shane said.
They left the hospital.
" Well, it's time to continue live in the quarantine. Grandma Ardis began to learn us how to weave." said Norman.
"This is fun. Oliver, Shane, we'll keep in touch by phone. See you later." says Rita before leaving with Norman.
"It was a wonderful day, seeing all those smiles and helping people... You know, Oliver, after seeing you today, I think I'm going to miss you more, even we talk a lot on the phone." Shane remarked.
"I know this is as hard for you as it is for me. We have to be patient, my love"
"Just trust the timing. I'm going to go. I'll call you tonight," Shane said.
" Don't forget to look at your mailbox," Oliver said smiling.
Shane raised an eyebrow, curious to know what to find in her mailbox. She quickly went home and found an envelope with her name on it . Moments later, she sat on her couch to open the envelope.
Dear Shane.
This is a difficult time for all of us. We must keep hope and keep praying.
Time and the distance which separate us can't alter my feelings for you. On the contrary, they grow stronger every day.
I will wait for you at the altar to marry you and love you forever.
With all my heart.
Oliver O'Toole.
She smiled and held the letter close to her heart.
The end