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I carefully open it and pull out a round-trip plane ticket to Australia. My eyes go wide in disbelief.
How did she know?
“I ran into Brian a few weeks ago. He mentioned going to Australia with some friends over winter break and that he has been trying to get you to go with them. I know money can be tight, but I don’t want you to miss out on this opportunity with your friends,” she says.
“Mom, this is too much. I can’t—” I shake my head, but she cuts me off.
“No, it’s not. I wanted to do this. You work so hard in school and at work and always take care of your brother and me. You deserve this, sweetie.” Her big brown eyes mist over.
Without a second thought, I get up from my seat and hug her. “Thanks, mom. This is amazing.” I look over at Mark. “And thanks, Mark, for everything. Really.”
“Anytime, kid,” he responds.
“Alright, what did I miss?” Uncle Harry asks as he enters the room.
“Uncle Harry!” Both Nick and I say simultaneously, excited to see our favorite and only uncle.
“Hey, you two! Nate, happy birthday! Get anything good?”
“Well, he got a basketball from me, luggage from Mark, and a plane ticket to Australia from mom,” Nick chimes in. “So obviously, mine is the best gift so far.”
“Clearly.” Harry chuckles and sits next to Sheryl.
“Ok, everyone, there are still more gifts to open, food to be eaten, and cake to be cut into before this one goes off with his friends tonight. Oh, to be twenty-one again,” Sheryl says then looks off, lost in thought.
“Earth to Sheryl.” Harry waves his hands in front of her face.
“Sorry, I was just trying to remember what it was like to be young,” Sheryl remarks.
“Oh, you’ll always be young in my eyes, dear.” Harry takes her hand and places a kiss on the back of it.
“That’s because you’re as blind as a bat, but I appreciate it just the same. Do you have Nate’s gift with you?” she asks.
“Right, yes.” Harry gets something out of his pocket and tosses a key across the table.
“What’s this for?” I ask, picking up the gold key.
“It’s the key to your boat,” Harry responds.
“Funny. No, really, what is it?”
“I’m serious,” Harry says matter-of-factly.
My jaw drops to the floor. “W-what? I don’t understand.”
“Well, Sheryl and I know how much you’ve always wanted one since you were a little kid. Of course, it’s nothing fancy, but for your first boat, we thought it would do. We’ve been keeping it over at Mark’s place.”
I turn my head to Mark, who says, “Free of charge.”
“You guys … I don’t even know what to say.” I examine the key in my hand, waiting for it to disappear like this is some kind of crazy dream. “Thank you.”
Harry leans over to Nick with a big smile. “I still think your basketball is the clear favorite.”
* * *
Pulling up in front of Tim’s house a few hours later, I notice cars lining the street and taking up both sides of the road. Damn, this is way more people than I expected. I look down at the Superman costume I changed into at Sheryl and Harry’s house and start feeling self-conscious.
Nothing a few shots won’t fix.
