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“Ohhhhh.”
“Well! It’s time for our own gifts!”
I climbed up onto our natural rock bridge and dragged Jules with me. She had already set out our blanket. The stone was dry, it hadn’t snowed since yesterday and the afternoon sun melted all the wet snow and dried it. I climbed into our cocooned blanket and she squeezed in next to me.
“Elliott?” Her voice trembled.
“Yes love?”
“Yesterday I drove to the church on my own because we were running late from Charleston. Did I tell you that?”
“No,” I shook my head, wondering where she was going with it.
“After church and dinner, after you walked me to my car and said goodbye, I got in and turned the key in the ignition, and when I went to put Carmen in reverse I noticed a wrapped package in the passenger seat.”
“Yes?” I said.
“It read, ‘From Elliott’.” I froze. “I knew automatically that it wasn’t from you. First of all, because it looked like it had been wrapped by a guy and I know you get your mom to wrap all of your gifts and second because we agreed on our question gift.”
“Where is it?” I demanded.
“Here,” she took her messenger bag and removed the thermos, some Christmas cookies, and a wrapped square box. “I couldn’t open it. I was too afraid. In fact, I don’t even want you to open it.”
“Jules, honey, I have to.”
“No you don’t actually,” she said. “Actually, you could just throw it in the creek and be done with it for good. The only reason I’m telling you is because I can’t keep the knowledge of the things they do locked up inside anymore or I’ll go mental.”
“I’m glad you told me. Maybe we should take it to Danny and have him open it,” I suggested to make her feel better. I could see that it did. The anxiety melted off her fair skin and some color was brought back into her paled cheeks.
“Thank you Elliott. Now, throw it over there so I don’t have to look at it anymore. I refuse to let him ruin our day.” She grabbed the thermos and poured hot chocolate in two mugs. “Cookie?”
“Yes, please. Thank you sweetheart.” I took a bite, “Wow! Did you make these?”
“I did. Do you like them? They’re a Jacobs tradition. Grams just taught me the recipe this morning.”
“Like them? I’m thinking of stealing the one out of your hand.”
She laughed like she hadn’t in a very long time. I missed it. I was determined to fix it.
“Oh Elliott! I can’t wait to ask you my question, but you first,” she requested.
I was happy to oblige, “Okay,” I reluctantly put down my cookie and mug and dusted the gingerbread off my hands. “Jules, I would like you to help me sell my bird houses again and I don’t want you to ask me why. Will you do this with me?”
She stared at me strangely.
“You know we won’t make enough in time for the trip right?”
“I know.”
“Okay,” she sighed. “And I can’t ask you why?” She asked. When I shook my head, she squealed in mock frustration, “I’m dying to find out why you want to do this. I can only imagine! I’m going to conjure up all sorts of strange things as your motivation, but I promise. I promise I won’t ask why.”
I felt incredibly empowered. My motivations were my own, the money had to sit there and I couldn’t wait to begin saving.
“You’re turn,” I said, excited for her question.
“You’ve made me rethink my question now Elliott. What a strange request. I feel like torturing you with a similarly vague question.”
“You can ask me what you’ve planned or you can ask me something off the cuff. I’m satisfied to say yes to any request since you’ve so selflessly agreed to mine.”
