Special Delivery (part 3)

 Maddie was shivering when she picked up the phone. She dialed and waited. Actually, Maddie picked up the phone and put it down several times before actually dialing. She didn't have too many people to call in the city.

"Hello!? Maddie, what a surprise! Happy holidays! Haven't heard from you in a while."  The voice on the phone said.

"Hi Ursula, how have you been? Happy holidays to you too."

"We'll you know hanging in there, the usual. What you've been up to?" Ursula asked. Maddie and Ursula had been friends since childhood, and throughout most of their school years. 

"Just came back from visiting family back home, and just trying to enjoy some of my time off at home."

"Lucky you that you get all of that vacation time at your fancy job. We've been quite busy at the restaurant this holiday season. At least it's good tips." Ursula replied.

"Listen, I think I'm going crazy..."

"Why!?

"A couple of days ago I got a package delivered to my front door. It had a bottle of wine a CD and a large winter coat. I drank the wine and listened to the CD and ..."

"And!?" Ursula asked 

"Ever since... I feel this intense cold that I can't shake. It was like a chill had settled deep into my bones, and no matter how many layers of my own clothing I put on, I can't get warm. I can only warm wearing that coat. I thought I had a fever, but my temperature is normal."

"That is really strange. Are you wearing the coat right now?"

"No! Of course not!" Maddie balked.

"And are you feeling ok? Cold?" Ursula asked.

"Well yeah, I'm wearing sweatpants, two sweaters, the heater is cranked up, and I'm still shivering."

"I'm sorry to say this, but I think for now you should put on the coat, until you can figure out what's going. It's just a coat. What harm can it do?" Said Ursula with a grave concerned voice.

"Ok, I'll do that... You're right."

"Go on, I'll stay in the line." Replied Ursula.

"Ok, hopefully this makes me feel better while I think what's going on."

Maddie went downstairs and pulled out the long coat. With some trepidation she pulled her arm through arm holes, and very deliberately pulled up the zipper. 

"Ok... Now I'm wearing this stupid coat..."

"Feeling any better?"

"Not really."

"Ohh Maddie, are you sure you're not sick?"

"I might be going crazy, I can tell you that. But besides that, I don't think so. But it's the holidays, my doctor's office is closed and don't want to wait six hours at the ER just to be told I'm imagining things."

"Hummm that's really weird. And stuff the box have a return label? Anyone you can contact?"

"No... It had no labels what so ever. Just like the second box that arrived today."

"A second box!?" Uttered Ursula with in a surprised voice. "What did it contain?"

"I haven't opened it yet." Maddie replied.

"Well maybe you should. There might be a clue inside regarding what's going on." 

Maddie opened the new box, and  stared in disbelief. It contained even more warm clothing. It had a pair of quilted down pants, and a short down jacket. Both garments were warm obviously, but they were lighter than the coat she had been sent originally.  Maddie took them out of the box, hoping there was a clue regarding the strange situation. In the bottom of the box there was a small bag with another item, a quilted trapper hat with ear flaps.  She described the items to Ursula over the phone.

"Ummm, maybe you should try wearing those new things, just to see if it makes a difference."

"I don't think so... "

"Just give it a shot. Maybe it will make you feel better while I drive over to your place and we can try to figure out what to do." 

Maddie took off her coat and grabbed the pants. Maddie tried to slip her legs into the quilted down pants, but it was too tight of a fit.

Maddie removed her sweatpants and the thick cardigan she had been wearing. She was only wearing her turtleneck, bra, and underwear. She was shivering. She grabbed the down pants once more and slid her legs into it. The smooth lining of the pants felt nice against her legs. She the grabbed the short down jacket, slid her arms in and zipped it up. The jacket was nice and soft. It was light, but surely warm. Maddie was still feeling chills up and down her spine. Maddie sighed, but instinctively grabbed the long heavy down coat out of the box and put it on. Soon, she felt chills no more.