Day 27: the Vending Machine

Bridget sat forlornly in the hospital waiting room chipping away at a peeling linoleum tile with the toe of her shoe. She was about to be a big sister for the 4^th time and the novelty of that particular title had worn off after her sister Millicent was born. Millicent cried a lot. Millicent was probably a banshee. At least she had sounded like one, and as she grew up she didn’t get any less shrill. Next came Bobby who was probably part Sasquatch. He was obscenely tall for his age and quite hairy. He didn’t really speak in full sentences; he mostly grunted, took food from the fridge or pantry and disappeared back into his room. His hair was continually clogging up the shower. Bridget didn’t mind him so much, but it would have been nice to have someone to talk to. Candace was the baby, at least for the next few hours. Candace was sticky; there was no other way to put it. No matter if she had just been given a bath, Candace found some way to get into a mess. She always had something on her face and her fingers left trails of sticky smudges all around the house.

It wasn’t that Bridget didn’t like her siblings; they just didn’t have very much in common. Millicent liked boys, Bobby liked, who knew what Bobby liked and Candace liked toys. Bridget liked quiet and reading her books. She liked doodling in her journal and daydreaming, but there was always noise around the King house and always someone in need of her attention. If she wasn’t watching her siblings, she was doing chores or schoolwork. It was a happy family, truly, but sometimes Bridget wished she could have a break.

Bridget fidgeted in the hard plastic waiting room chair and wished her newest brother or sister would be born already so they could go home. Grandma had picked them all up straight from school and taken them to the hospital, Bridget thought about her new Jenny Murray mystery that was sitting on her dresser. She wished she had it now. Bobby and Millicent were mildly arguing about what to switch the waiting room TV to and Candace was sitting with their grandmother bouncing a baby doll on her lap. Everyone was occupied but Bridget who kicked at the peeling linoleum with a bit more vigor.

Her siblings were getting a bit louder as they argued over the TV and suddenly Millicent lunged for the remote. Bobby held it above his head easily putting it out of Millicent’s reach and gave a lazy half smile. He waggled it above his head and chuckled. Furious Millicent stamped hard on his foot and he dropped the remote in surprise. It clanked to the floor somehow hitting the mute button and everything went quiet except for Bridget’s stomach which chose that moment to gurgle with displeasure. It was loud enough to garner the attention of her family and Millicent sniffed her nose in disgust. Grandma put down her knitting, gave the squalling siblings a look and said, “Bridget reminded me that it has been a while since lunch and I think a snack would help settle our nerves. Bridget dear, would you go find a vending machine and pick out something for us?” “Why does she get to go,” Millicent asked. “She won’t get anything I like. I think I should go.” Bobby rumbled something about chips and Candace started bouncing in her chair chanting “canny, canny, canny.” “I’m sure Bridget will make fine choices,” Grandma said as she pulled her wallet out of her purse. She handed Bridget her debit card and smiled. “Go on dear. I’ll hold down the fort. Pick me out something crunchy,” and she winked.

Bridget took the card and nodded. She slipped it into the pocket of her jeans and scooted down the hall before Grandma changed her mind or any of her siblings followed her. As she turned the corner she could still heard Candace chanting about candy. Bridget remembered passing some vending machines when they first came in the hospital doors so she made her way to the elevators and pushed the down button. The elevator dinged immediately and the doors in front of her opened. She was about to walk on when she saw that the elevator was already full. A man in a brown suit smiled at her and beckoned. “We can squeeze you in little lady.” But Bridget smiled back, shook her head and said, “Its ok, I’ll get the next one.”  All right, suit yourself,” the man said and reached over to hit the door closed button.

As soon as the door closed the elevator dinged again and the elevator to the far left opened. Bridget peeked around the doors and saw that it was empty. She smiled and stepped in, pushing the stared button for the ground floor. The doors closed and the carriage gave a slight lurch and started to descend. 4, 3, 2, the elevator slowed and stopped. The doors opened and there was no one there. Bridget poked her head out but the corridor was empty. She moved back in and hit the door close button. Nothing happened. She waited then hit it again. She pushed the button for the stared floor and then the door closed button but the elevator doors remained steadfastly open. She bounced back on her heels in frustration and stepped out of the carriage. She pushed the down button on the panel and dashed back into the elevator. Still it sat there. She huffed out a sigh, of course this would happen. She pressed the buttons one more time and then stepped out again. She could see the sign for the stairs from the elevator and it was only one more floor down. She could walk.

Bridget trudged down the hallway grumbling about how things always happened to her when she felt her toe come in contact with something and heard a clink. She looked down and saw a silver and orange coin the size of a silver dollar laying a few feet from her. She must have kicked it. Bridget walked over to the coin and bent to pick it up. It was heavy in her hand. She turned it over and looked at it. On one side was a grinning jack o’ lantern, on the other an oak leaf. Around the border of the coin were words which read, “October fun has just begun. Make your selection.” Bridget flipped the coin back and forth in her hand wondering where the strange coin had come from. When she looked up she saw a tiny alcove set back from the hall. In the alcove was a door and through that door was a vending machine that was giving off a faint golden glow. Bridget looked back and forth across the hallway. It was still deserted. She looked down at the coin and saw that it too was giving off a faint golden glow in her hand. The coin was jack o’ lantern side up and as she looked at it the pumpkin winked at her. Bridget was so startled she dropped the coin. This was all too weird. She must be imagining things. The vending machine must have neon in it and coins didn’t wink. Haltingly she bent down to retrieve the coin. She paused midway, looked at it and then picked it up. She flipped it over to the pumpkin side and the jack o’ lantern didn’t wink. Its face was frozen in its toothy smile and it stayed that way.

Bridget haltingly walked into the alcove and towards the vending machine. As she got nearer she saw that it was filled with bottles, glass bottles that had brown paper labels on the front. Great, she thought. No food here, what a wasted trip. But the glow coming from the machine intrigued her and she kept walking toward it. Standing in front of the machine she saw that the bottles came in every size, shape and color. There were round ones, bottles that glittered like gold, and ones so tiny they were bunched 3 to a slot and tied with twine. There was a sign on across the top row of the machine in gold painted calligraphy that read “October Vending: Where Imagination Takes Flight.” How odd Bridget thought. She looked at the glasses again and really began to read the labels. Fall Day, read one, Wolves at Midnight read another. Fog Follies, Brisk Breeze, Ghostly Gambols, Moonbeam, Cider Party, Childhood. One bottle seemed to be smoking on the inside and another was rocking back and forth in its holder as something inside tried to get out. Bridget stared. This was no ordinary machine, of that she was sure. But what should she do? There was no slot for a debit card, only a glowing button on the right side that said “CHOOSE.”

Bridget had read about things like this in her books, but she never imagined that they were real, or that if they were they would happen to her. She looked at the labels again. Should she choose? But by now her curiosity was getting the best of her and she wanted to press the button. She reached her hand tentatively toward the button and hesitated. She looked back out the door to the hallway. She didn’t see anyone. The glow of the machine was so inviting and the button seemed to pulse and grow brighter. Bridget screwed up her eyes, reached her finger out and pushed. Nothing happened that she could tell and she cracked one eye open to peek. A slender tray popped out underneath the button. It had a depression in the center where one could put a coin. Bridget didn’t have any change and her shoulders slumped in dejection, then she felt a warmth in the palm of her other hand. She opened her fist and saw the pumpkin coin. It looked about the same size as the depression in the tray. Why not, she thought. She slotted the coin into the tray and almost immediately it was sucked into the machine.  Silvery purple words appeared across the front of the vending machine glass, “Make your selection.” Bridget looked all around the face of the machine and the sides, but there were no other buttons to push and there were no corresponding numbers under the bottles so how was she supposed to choose? She huffed in frustration. Of course she would get a magic vending machine that she couldn’t operate.

Bridget sighed and looked at the machine. It would have been neat to see what was in the moonbeam glass she said out loud then turned to leave. But as she turned she heard a CLINK. The cobalt blue moonbeam bottle was floating above its row. It floated out and then gently descended into the waiting receptacle below. There was a chime of tiny bells and the vending door opened. Bridget stared at the bottle. She stared at the machine. She stared at the bottle again. With eager but cautious fingers, she plucked the bottle from the machine and held it close. Inside the bottle she could see tiny lights moving back and forth. She hesitated only a second before pulling the cork stopper from the bottle. Nothing happened and then everything happened. Inky smoke started pouring from the container into the room. Bridget dropped the bottle in surprise and it landed with the muffled thud on the carpet on its side. More inky smoke came out and soon the whole room was covered. Bridget backed toward the alcove door but found it was gone. The light from the machine was slowly diminishing as the contents of the bottle continued to spill out, then there was nothing but blackness. Bridget tried to edge toward the wall but her fingers found no purchase. Then tiny lights began to appear. It was like snow, but it wasn’t wet or cold. Hundreds of twinkling white dots pierced the darkness. They shimmered and danced across Bridget’s outstretched fingers and swirled in a frenzy as she waved her hands in front of her face. Bridget laughed. They were moon beams. She blew on them and sent them cascading into each other. She gathered them in her hands and poured them out like water. They floated and fell, spun and cavorted. She chased them around the room and let them dance on her skin. Bridget felt giddy. After a while she grew tired of chasing them and sat down on the ground. She reclined back and stared at the twinkling display above her. Gradually the room began to lighten and the moonbeams began to wink out one by one. In the end there was only one moonbeam left on her index finger and it faded into her nail like melted snow. Bridget stared at the glowing spot on her finger and was started when she heard chimes. She looked up and saw the tray on the machine slide out again. On it was the pumpkin coin. She stood up and plucked the coin from the slot. The tray disappeared and the CHOOSE button began once more to glow.

This time Bridget didn’t hesitate, she pushed the button and waited for the tray to slide back out. The second it did, she slid the coin into the tray and said after a minute’s perusal, “Boney Boogey.” The frosted glass rattled as it floated down and when the vending door opened Bridget could hear the sound of drums and a trumpet. She pulled the stopper from the bottle top and instantly the room became a night club. There was a wooden planked stage with a crimson curtain behind it. On the stage were a motley collection of musicians. There was a man with 4 arms playing the drums, a fish like creature bulging out its cheeks playing a trumpet, while a mermaid in a giant glass bowl sang from a microphone clipped to the lip of the tank. A regular looking fellow played the guitar with his beard and a kitten was bouncing back and forth on the piano keys.

Below the stage was a dance floor already packed with couples moving to the music. Bridget was watching them whirl and glide when she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned and a skeleton with a top hat gallantly bowed and asked her if he could have this dance. Bridget was getting used to the strangeness of the situation by now and placed her hand in his outstretched palm. His bones were surprisingly warm and as he led her to the center of the floor she could feel the beat of the music pulsing through them. He put a skeletal hand to her waist, and off they went. Bridget didn’t know how to dance at all. She had seen things like this on some of her grandmothers black and white films, but she didn’t even know how to Dougie let alone dance, it didn’t seem to be a problem though. Her boney partner was light on his feet and he swept her along in time to the music. Bridget let out a squeal of laughter when he twirled her and lost herself to the music. They waltzed and tangoed, did the Monster Mash and the twist. Bridget had never had such fun and was sad when finally the music ended and the band began to pack up. Steve, for that was her partners name, turned and bowed to her and kissed her hand. As he backed away the room began to fade and she was once more standing in front of the vending machine. The tray slid out with the coin on it and Bridget reached for it once more.

One after the other, Bridget chose bottle after bottle of October treats. She attended a tea party with a wolf man who only drank Earl Grey, flew over treetops that were in full fall color with a bat, went to a cider party with a scarecrow, sailed on an orange ocean full of apples that tasted like October treats, and sat at a campfire that burned logs of pumpkin spice, caramel, and maple. She also sailed across a river of chocolate in a marshmallow boat, had a sleep over with a ghostly trio inside a jack o’ lantern,  and wore a dress made out of fog, but Bridget was getting tired. She had no idea how long she had been choosing bottles but the novelty of it was wearing off. She promised herself that she would only choose one more and then stop. She stood in front of the machine looking at all the bottles. Toward the bottom she spied an orange bottle with a red sparkly ribbon on it. It read “Autumn Memories” and as she spoke it aloud she knew that this was the perfect last bottle. It floated down like all the others and she paused just a second before opening it.

The vending room turned into a neighborhood full of fall color. It was her neighborhood and Bridget saw her house. She walked toward it and could see her father was out in the front yard raking leaves. She saw her mother sitting on the front step with a papoose carrier slung around her body. She was cooing at whichever baby was in the sling. Bridget’s father said something, she couldn’t make it out from this distance and her mother laughed. The sunlight caught her caramel colored hair and made it shine like gold in places. Both of her parents were smiling and her father put down the rake and moved to sit next to her mother. She scooted over to make room and both of them looked down at the tiny bundle in the sling. Bridget’s father reached in and scooped the baby out and held it up to the sunlight. It squealed in delight and he pulled it back down to his chest rocking it slowly. Her parents looked at the tiny bundle with wonder and played with its toes. The baby cooed and wiggled and gave another delighted laugh. Her mother began speaking to the child and talking about how it was their responsibility to care for the baby and how they would show it the world and shower it with love. They both promised to do their best and to guide the infant and provide listening ears. We love you Bridget and we can’t believe you are ours.

Older Bridget gasped. The baby was her. She didn’t remember this, but why would she? She watched her parents coo and play with her tiny toes. They drew closer together and shared tender looks over baby Bridget’s head. Bridget’s father deposited his tiny daughter back into the hands of his wife. He kissed them both on the forehead and then resumed his raking all while humming a silly tune. Bridget’s mother put tiny Bridget back in the sling and reclined in the autumn sunshine. Baby Bridget watched a butterfly go by and then yawned and closed her eyes. It was a perfect moment and Bridget could feel the warmth and love permeating her bones. She closed her eyes to bask in the memory and when she opened them she was once again in front of the vending machine. The coin slid out once more and Bridget took it from the tray. It was warm in her hand and glowing. Thank you she whispered. The coin pulsed. She took one last look at the machine. Its silvery purple lettering sparkled and the bottles twinkled in their rows. She smiled and walked out of the room.

Once out of the alcove she found herself back in the hallway where she had started from. She turned to look at the machine one last time but only saw a blank wall where it had been.  A sign on the wall advertised flu shots at the downstairs walk in clinic. Bridget turned trying to find the alcove but it had disappeared. She still had the coin in her hand so she knew she hadn’t imagined it. She was about to put it back in her pocket when she saw new lettering appear on the oak leaf side. “Let me go,” it read. “Put me down.” Bridget blinked and the words shimmered at her. She ran her fingers over the grooves in the leaves and she thought she could hear a rustle. She looked at the coin once more then bent to the ground and placed it on the floor. The coin gave one last glimmer of gold and then went dull. It was time for someone else to find it and become part of the magic. Bridget whispered a thank you to the coin and then turned to go back to the elevator. The doors were still open and Bridget walked into the empty carriage. Almost immediately the doors closed and she soon found herself on the first floor. She walked out in a daze and saw the front lobby full of people, doctors, nurses, visitors, orderlies, housekeeping and more. She spied the regular vending machines and after a stutter step she moved toward them. There was nothing special about these machines. They had candy, chips and gum like any other machine. She was a bit disappointed but made her selections anyway. Arms full she headed back up to the waiting room.

Millicent and Bobby were still arguing Candace was still swinging her baby doll but now had a sucker in her mouth and a sticky trail across her cheek. Grandma had gone back to knitting and Bridget just stood and stared at them all. This was her family. They had a magic all their own. Sure they could be annoying, but she knew their quirks and they knew hers. Family. She was about to open her mouth to tell them she had brought snacks when her father burst through the waiting room doors. He had a huge grin on his face. Everyone looked up at the sudden intrusion and he said “Your mother is doing just fine and so is your baby brother, Patrick. Grandma clapped her hands in delight; Bobby let out a whoop and said something about not being the only boy anymore. Candace ignored them all and Millicent grumped and lamented that she had another brother to deal with. Bridget’s father told them they could all come back one at a time to meet the newest addition. He turned to Bridget, knelt down and looked at her. “Would you like to be first my girl? You are the oldest after all.” Yes, Bridget said, and meant it. Her father rose and told them that Bridget was going back with him. Millicent argued that it wasn’t fair, but only halfheartedly.

 Bridget followed her father out through the doors and down the hallway to her mother’s room. Bridget’s father put a finger to his lips as they entered and Bridget smiled and waved at her mother who was lying against the pillows looking tired but happy. She waved back at her daughter and pointed to the bassinet next to her. Bridget came closer and peeked inside. There wrapped swaddled in a green blanket with monkeys was her new little brother. He had a dark halo of hair and a scowl on his tomato red face. He was squirming and gurgling and when Bridget said hello in a soft voice, he stopped. Bridget leaned a little closer and whispered “Hi Patrick, I’m your big sister. My name is Bridget and I am going to help take care of you.” Patrick unfurled his brow a bit and made smacking sounds with his lips. Bridget continued, “I promise to protect your ears from Millicent’s squawking and save you some of the good treats before Bobby gets to them. I will protect you from Candace’s sticky fingers and someday I will tell you all about the magic vending machine I found while you were being born.” Patrick wiggled and cooed and smacked his lips again. “Welcome to the world baby brother,” Bridget said, “it’s a magical place.”