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“I better get back, though. Gotta clean that kitchen.”
“Do you need help?” good old Freddy asks. He clearly has no clue about the state the kitchen is in.
“That would be wonderful,” I exclaim eagerly, startling some of the puppy dog eyes away.
I can tell from the expressions on their faces as soon as they walk in, they all regret their decision. But no take backs. I put them all to work faster than they can say ‘Dante Santoro is the worst boss we’ve ever had’. Their impeccable work ethic has the kitchen spick and span in under ten minutes, and before I know it, I’m alone again, standing in front of a bunch of ingredients which, with a little luck, will resemble a cherry pie once I’m done with them.
When the pie is in the oven and I’m almost done with the kitchen cleanup, Fred pops his head in again.
“Another delivery.”
I look up, confused. I thought everything I ordered had arrived already, but I must have missed something. Racking my brain for what I could have possibly forgotten, I follow Fred to the main entrance, where I’m met with a large brown box.
Now, before I continue, I’d like to insert a caveat here. In all my years on this earth, I have not received presents. Not on birthdays. Not Christmases. No ‘just because gifts’. Nothing. Zilch. Nada.
So excuse my excitement as I tear into a package I have not expected. With the delivery box shredded into tiny pieces, I freeze, gazing upon the most beautiful thing I could ever imagine.
My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I pull it out, answering without taking my eyes off the thing I most definitely didn’t order.
“By the panting coming through the phone, I can safely assume my gift has arrived.”
“Arrow,” I whisper, my free hand reaching out to stroke the shiny red surface of the handlebar.
They clear their throat. “It’s nothing, really. You’ve just been so obsessed with the idea of a scooter I figured someone ought to get you one. Just to shut you up.”
“It’s red.” My fingers stroke down the column to the wheel, then the porous deck.
“Might as well go with the colour scheme you had in mind. What’s one more thing?” they chuckle. “Well, actually, a few more things. There’s a red helmet and elbow and knee pads, too, and a little bracelet.”
“Arrow...” My voice comes out choked up as tears well in my eyes. “It’s perfect. Thank you so much. And I’m putting the bracelet on right now. The scooter charm is perfect.”
“Oh my god. Stop it. It’s nothing.”
“It’snotnothing. It’s the first gift I have ever received.”
There’s a sharp intake of breath, and my eyes lift briefly to meet with Fred’s. He looks confused, his eyebrows drawn, so I smile at him reassuringly before looking back at the beautiful scooter in front of me.
“I’ll be like all these techy billionaires now,” I bite my lip.
“If you wanted to be just like me, you should have said. I’d have gotten you some abandonment issues and dubious morals.”
I laugh. “I’ve got those all on my own, but thank you for the offer.”
“Well, take the Red Devil for a spin. I’ve got places to be, computers to hack.”
“Arrow?”
“What’s up, sausage?”
“You’re the best friend I could ever wish for. Thank you for being you.”
“Back at you, sister.”
I rest my phone in my lap as I reach for the shiny red helmet, my fingers shaking.
Fred’s warm hands envelop mine as he takes the helmet away from me. He gently places it on top of my head before locking the strap in place.
“What did you mean you’ve never got a gift before?” The fingers under my chin lift it up until my eyes meet his.
