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“Okay,” Charlie says with a smile that doesn’t quite meet her eyes.
I watch her pick at the wrapping paper with one long, red nail. I can see she’s trying to keep calm. Something must have happened earlier for her to be acting so weird. Did they get into another fight? Other than art products, makeup, and fashion, I have no clue what Charlie likes. It looks like Mike got her some sort of book.
My eyes widen when Charlie finishes unwrapping Mike’s present. It is indeed a book. And not just any ordinary book, but Lucas’s recently published novel. I glance at Charlie, wondering if she hates it. I can’t see her reading romance novels, but one never knows. Romance could be her thing. However, when it comes to books, I usually see her reading fashion magazines…or art books. Never fiction.
And the expression on her face is everything I need to know. She hates it. She holds the book up, gripping it in a white-knuckled grip. No one speaks and it’s the most awkward feeling ever. I look between Charlie and Mike. Mike is smiling, not seeing that she hates it, while Charlie appears to be doing everything in her power to remain calm.
So what if Mike got her something she didn’t want? It’s not the end of the world. Presents don’t make or break a relationship, right? Or maybe…in this case they do. Charlie and Mike haven’t been doing well in a while. Actually, I wonder if they were ever doing well.
“Thanks, Mike,” Charlie says without looking at him. “It’s great.”
“I knew you would like it!” Mike says cheerfully.
Oh, Mike. How can you not see that she hates it? Are you really that blind?
“My turn!” Lauren shouts while picking up a big box and plunking it into Charlie’s lap. “I hope you like it!”
Charlie giggles and slides the book from underneath and into the crack of the couch. I have a feeling we will find it later, after she leaves, and then we will have to hide it and never tell Mike about how Charlie left his gift. Just wonderful.
“I’d better!” Charlie shouts while ripping open the box. Her eyes widen and she gasps.
I lean toward her, taking in the shimmering pink-and-red garments. “Wow,” I breathe while taking in the different textures and patterns. “Now, that’s pretty.”
“Oh, Lauren!” Charlie picks up one long piece and holds it up, displaying the red floral lace. “It’s wonderful.”
“I know, right!” Lauren says while clapping her hands. “I hoped this could be the start to your new fashion brand. I expect to see a lot of your work in the coming years.”
Charlie scoffs. “Most likely I will be someone’s poor assistant for the first five years. It will be like the Devil Wears Prada, and I will be gallivanting all over New York, carrying coffee and someone’s dry cleaning.”
“Nevertheless,” Lauren says with a shrug, “this can at least be your beginning. And if you ever need a model, you can use me.”
Charlie sniffs and waves a hand in front of her glimmering eyes.
“Okay, enough with this sensitive crap,” Seth says while sitting down next to me and handing me a box. “I got you something too. And, please, don’t cry. It’s Christmas, for Christ’s sake.”
Lauren, Charlie, and I give him a scowl while I unwrap his present. “Oh, Seth,” I gasp.
He got me a camera. A very nice, old camera with different lenses.
“I thought, once you graduate, you can start taking pictures again. Like how you did when we first met.”
“Seth, this is amazing. I can’t believe… How were you able to afford this?”
The bell rings before I can get my answer and my heart stills, all the joy leaving me at that high-pitched sound. I glance over my shoulder, watching Seth go to answer it, and I can’t help but imagine my mother’s face popping through that door. I can’t help but wonder what she’s going to say this time, if she’s going to demand again that I give Maria up. If she’s there, I’ll insist Seth not allow her in. It’s Christmas. I don’t want to be ruining Maria’s first Christmas with my mother’s selfishness.
But, to my pleasant surprise, it’s not Mom who steps inside.
It’s Dad, carrying several bags filled with presents wrapped in gold, red, and green. He smiles brightly at me while plopping them onto the floor and holds out his arms to me.
“Merry Christmas, sweetie.”
“Dad!” I shout, mostly in confusion and a bit in joy.
I run to him, throwing my arms around him. He hugs me tightly. “I missed you so much,” he says with a soft chuckle. “You look so good. Are you good? I hope you are.”
“I’m good,” I say while releasing him. “Everything has been fine since the delivery. Nothing crazy has happened.”
“Well, almost,” Seth says while making a face. “Your mother happened.”
