The room is full of twinkling lights and Christmas décor, and if it were snowing outside, I’d feel as if I were in a Hallmark movie.
Soon, Barfred is coming in with a tray of hot chocolate. He sets it on the coffee table between where my father's and my gifts are placed and where Abraham and Theodora are sitting.
“Open the box first,” Theodora says with excitement, pointing to the blue-and-gold-wrapped object in front of me. “Both of you, save your envelopes until last.”
The box is the largest of my four gifts, and as I open it, I find a brand new laptop.
“What…” I start, my eyes widening. It’s a MacBook, so I know it had to have cost anywhere between a couple of hundred and a couple of thousand dollars.
“Do you love it?” the woman presses, her hands clasped at her chest over her silk, maroon dress.
“I—yes, I do! But it’s such a big gift. I—”
“No buts,” Abraham says. “You open one now, Jeremy.”
I fall silent, and my father takes a large gulp of air and reaches for the biggest box of his four gifts as well.
Inside is a pair of skiing goggles.
“Thank you,” Dad says earnestly, though I can see the confusion on his face. He has never gone skiing before.
Abraham lets out a loud, boisterous laugh. “Are you ready to take some lessons, old man?” he asks my father. “You and me, a summer holiday. We’re heading off to Mt. Hood for a few days.”
Dad’s eyes are so wide they just might fall out.
“All expenses paid, of course,” Abraham adds.
“Wow, I—that’s very generous. I look forward to it, Master Abraham,” my father stutters out.
Abraham looks pleased with himself, and as the three Chastains on the floor continue to open their gifts, my father and I do the same.
I open a nice pair of black loafers and a collection of cologne with the brand name Creed on the front. Dad is gifted a nice leather belt and a brand-new iPhone to replace the little flip phone he’s had for years.
When all that’s left are our envelopes, we look at each other nervously. Surely it’s not some kind of notice, a termination of employment? I mean, they clearly seem to really like us.
With a shrug, Dad begins to open his envelope carefully. I follow suit. Before I can fully remove the paper inside of mine, I hear his breath catch; a few seconds later, mine does the same.
Inside the envelope is a check for 5,000 dollars.
“What?” I ask softly, staring confusedly at the many zeroes.
“Master Abraham,” Dad starts, but he doesn’t move to finish his sentence, staring in awe at this check.
“Thatis the actual bonus,” Abraham says with a slight chuckle. “A small thank you. Really, gentleman, we love having you here. Jeremy, you are attentive and never complain. You’re a brilliant assistant. And Julian, the way you care for Abigail and deal with Atticus’s wayward attitude is so special.”
“Hey!” Atticus demands.
But I’m still staring at the check. I’m shocked and honestly a bit emotional. My father and I have worked hard for what we have; we’ve never beengivenanything. And now… I don’t know how to swallow this.
“Thank you. Really,” is all I can say.
“Yes, thank you. This isbeyondgenerous,” Dad adds.
Abraham and Theodora smile at us, as if they’re happy to have made the day of two of their employees. I’m waiting for the feeling of being a charity case to set in, but it’s not coming. This doesn’t really feel like that. This just feels like kindness.
“Papa, look! I got a certificate to name a star!” Abigail shouts, and I refocus my attention on the other members of the Chastain family.
Abigail sits surrounded by various toys and clothes, and Atticus is surrounded by his own expensive apparel and shoes.
