John held his breath as he opened the box… Every day he’d checked the mailbox, crestfallen to see it wasn’t there. Until brilliant, glorious today. He’d snatched it up and run to the kitchen table.

Having been previously let down by burgeoning anticipation, he was aware of possible disappointment once he dared to reveal the contents. As the light blessed the object of his abundant desire, however, his chest flushed with sweet, golden satisfaction.

The “Cap’n Crunch Pirate Treasure Chest Cereal Bowl and Matching Shovel Spoon” was a work of art in light-brown wood-grained plastic. He ran to rattle some cereal into it and try it out.

His mom had helped him clip, save and mail in the box tops, and although the box said “delivery in four to six weeks”, he’d waited the full six.

At least the first time, forty-three years ago. This time: Mastercard, PayPal, one week.

“God bless you, Ebay”, he thought, warmed by cold milk and crunchy cereal in a familiar treasure chest bowl.

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