Pallid

Today’s word is pallid, an adjective that means:

1. Having an abnormally pale or wan complexion; or

2. Lacking intensity of color or luminousness; or

3. Lacking in vitality or interest.

Series: The package, part 6

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It was such an unbelievably large treasure that it first thrilled her, then very quickly scared her. Twenty-six envelopes, each containing one brand new five dollar bill was an outrageously large sum to an eight year old, who usually received a dollar allowance  each week on an occasional basis. What if someone followed her home and wanted the money back or, worse, reported to the police that she had stolen the box containing all of the envelopes. Besides, her brother’s eyes were the size of hula-hoops when he saw how much money was inside the first envelope; he just couldn’t be trusted to keep their secret. And even if he could, how would they be able to buy all of the camping equipment they picked out of the Sears catalog if their father didn’t take them in the car to the store, and, even more daunting, how would they explain so much money in the first place. Now, suddenly fearful that she had somehow unwittingly gotten herself into trouble, she made her brother came along to help corroborate her story, as she went up the stairs to the kitchen and confessed to her mother, in front of Mrs. Quackenbush, the gray haired pallid-skinned chatty next-door neighbor.

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