They might not bite, but they do chop off fingers.
I don’t think Vanessa would let this turn into a bloody Christmas, but there’s always the day after.
Giulio and Damien start handing out gifts. The pile isn’t as big as I expected. I’d assumed the Pavone children would all be spoiled rotten, but they must have rules about how many presents everyone gets.
Of course, it’s still a lot of people distributing gifts. Vanessa helps too, and soon paper and packaging is getting ripped open while everyone coos over what they receive and thanks the gifter.
I sit on my corner of the couch and try not to let envy eat into me. I don’t even care about receiving gifts, but watching everybody have such a good time, seeing them enjoying the simple act of exchanging wrapped boxes, reminds me again of what I’ve never had.
What I still don’t have.
What I’ll never have.
I don’t expect to receive anything here. I’m staying with them for free, and that should be enough.
I scoot closer to Mel to see what she got.
It’s a new dress, this one in a dark red but still with all the usual lace and fancy trim she always wears. It’s the one Pandora had bought for her during our shopping trip, mostly because she’d been shocked that Harmony even had a goth clothing store.
“Thanks, Mama,” Mel says, holding the dress up.
Vanessa shakes her head. “That’s not from me. I only wrapped it for you since your sister is hopeless with wrapping paper.”
I can’t help but smile at that, because it’s true. I’ve seen Pandora try to wrap presents before, and she’s a lost cause.
“Oh,” Mel says, looking at the dress with renewed scrutiny. “It’s pretty.” She bites her bottom lip. “I hope she likes what I got her this much.”
“I’m sure she will,” Vanessa says, her voice encouraging. “Here. This one’s from me and Papa.”
It’s a box that has a pair of boots that perfectly match the dress, and Mel touches the leather. “Thank you,” she says. “I’ll wear this to the?—”
Vanessa looks startled, a reaction she quickly masks, but both Mel and I have caught it. “I’m so glad you have somewhere you want to wear it,” Vanessa says.
I’m surprised. From what Pandora has told me, Mel doesn’t leave the house much.
Before Vanessa can ask her about it, Pandora and Samantha return.
Pandora spots the dress immediately, and she beelines over to us. “Ooh, what do you think, Melly? I saw it in the store and immediately thought of you.”
“It’s really pretty,” Mel replies. “Thank you, Pandora.” Her mismatched eyes find Pandora’s, and she says much more softly, “I hope you like your gift, too.”
“I’m sure I will!” Pandora says with cheer.
It’s so simple. So easy for her.
Before I can wallow about the presents I almost never received, Damien shoves a box into my hands. “For you.”
I blink up at him in confusion. “What?” I ask dumbly, only for my brain to catch up a moment later. “Sorry, I’m just—” I cut myself off again. “Thank you.” I unwrap it with care, opening the box to find a thick, soft scarf. I recognize the brand at once, and I know it’s far out of my price range. It may be somewhat generic, but it’s also thoughtful and practical all at once. “Thank you,” I say, taking it out and wrapping it around my neck.
I’d ask Pandora what she thinks of how it looks, but I feel awkward enough already, and her parents would probably think I’m fishing for compliments.
“I hope you like it,” Vanessa says, reaching out to straighten it. “And don’t worry. No one’s going to try to strangle you with it.”
That… is less reassuring than she thinks it is. I hadn’t even considered strangulation until she’d brought it up.
“Here, Samantha! You get a present too,” Pandora says, handing a similar looking box to her.
Samantha is more wary as she opens it, but it’s a beanie-and-glove set. “Thank you,” she says quietly, but her voice wavers and I can see her eyes shimmering.
