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“We’ll see about that,” she said.
When it came time to exchange gifts, Jake was so excited he could barely contain it. They were on his couch this time. He’d taken the time to decorate his little apartment with a tree and decorations his mother had given them, saying, “I have decorations for ten Christmas trees.”
“Your place looks so good,” Geri said. “After doing the firehouse, I didn’t want to think about decorating my place.”
“You should let me do it,” he replied. “You know the brothers go around decorating each other’s houses.”
“It’s too late,” she said. “Maybe for the next holiday. So where’s my gift?”
She had heard from the family that she’d be pleased with the gift he got her. He disappeared into his bedroom and came back with a box she thought was candy. Standing over her, he bowed, offering the gift. “Merry Christmas, Geri.”
Tickled, she took the gift from his hand. He was so pleased with himself. After she took the top off, she found another box within, and so on, until she reached a long business envelope.
“What’s this?” She placed the corner of the envelope against her head and closed her eyes.
“What are you doing?” he asked, confused.
“Didn’t you ever see reruns of Johnny Carson where he plays a fortune-teller and touches the envelope against his head to read what’s within?”
“I’ve never seen that. I don’t even know who Johnny Carson is.”
“Oh God, Jake, no way. I’m getting you Johnny Carson DVDs for Christmas, then.”
“So can you tell what’s in it?”
She shook her head. “No way, I have no idea. So can I open it?”
“Yes! Hurry up. I can’t wait.”
For Christmas, Jake got them a weekend cruise along the Pacific coast.
“Oh, how nice, Jake! I’ve always wanted to see the coast from the ocean. This is a perfect gift.”
“There’s a lot to do, so we won’t always be in the room. I know how you hate that.”
“Ha! Jake, it’s not that…”
“We can play pool, there’s a spa, and not that I want to do it, we can even run. They have an indoor track.”
Geri laughed, pleased with such a thoughtful gift. She wondered why she felt like she needed to keep her guard up with him every second. Everything Jake did was about trying to please her. Looking down at the tickets, her heart melted a little more.
“Well, Jake, it just sounds perfect.”
Offering him a hand, she stood against him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. “Jake, I’m serious. This is like the perfect gift.”
Kissing him, she was really pleased that he’d put so much thought into it.
“Wow, I guess you do like it,” he said, smiling.
“Oh, I like it alright. I love it. Now, come with me. It’s time for part of your gift.”
After Christmas, the next workweek began with Geri going in alone after having the weekend off while Jake had worked. She pulled into a parking space just as Big Mike parked next to her.
“My sons tell me Jake sang the blues all weekend,” he said, greeting her.
“It was different not being here with him, that’s for sure. I already miss him.”
“He tells me you’re back in school already,” Big Mike said as they walked into the station together.
