Page 60 of My Little Doe
“Yes, for you. It’s Christmas after all,” he said.
“I didn’t get you anything, though,” I said, my eyes dropping to my plate.
“And?”
“I feel weird getting gifts without giving them.”
“Don’t. I don’t need them,” he said.
“As I don’t need them either.”
“It’s not anything lavish. Christmas was huge for your family, you deserve to have a little slice of that,” he said.
“I guess.”
He finished before I did and started washing the dishes. Once I finished, I walked over to the sink, plate in my hand. He reached for it. I didn’t have it in me to argue. Not today. Today was meant to be a joyous day.
“Go. Sit down,” he said sharply.
“Yes, daddy,” I said, teasing him.
His head turned to me so quickly.
“Nope. Nope. We are not doingthat,” he said. The laughter rolled out of me. That reaction was a chef’s kiss, and I’d absolutely be doingthatagain.
I walked to the chair and sat down. Within a few seconds, he was at the tree, grabbing the presents. He handed me the smaller one first. I gently pulled the paper back.
A journal.
The front of it had a beautiful sunset with geese silhouettes flying. I opened it up to flip through it. On the first page,something was written. I stopped reading it a couple of times, thumbing my finger over the writing.
For when the grief feels too heavy to say, write it. -Quinn
A single tear rolled down my cheek. I quickly wiped it away. Nope. No tears today.
“Appreciate you,” I said quietly.
He gave me a gentle smile before handing me another present. I gently opened it. As soon as my eyes locked with the little eyes staring back at me, tears escaped before I could control them. It was a ten-by-thirteen close-up picture of Aspen. She was smiling, with big blue eyes staring back at me. Her hair looked blonder than when I last saw her.
“How’d you get this?” I asked.
“I had Callie get it and mail it here,” he said.
“You planned this? For me?”
“I knew you were missing her. I know it doesn’t replace holding her, but it’s a reminder to keep fighting to live,” he said.
“I don’t know how to thank you, truly,” I said. “I’m afraid of what the other present is.”
“Ha. I got the emotional ones out of the way. This one shouldn’t elicit tears,” he said.
“Alright, let’s have it then,” I said. I was still clutching the picture in my hands. The remaining present was a larger box. He gently placed it on my lap. I tore the wrapping paper free and opened the box. There was a nice pair of Nike running shoes. They were white with teal accent ovals and a purple Nike symbol on the sides. Size eight and a half. The size I needed. Exactly what I needed.
Under the shoes was something thick and black. I pulled the shoes out and grabbed it. They were sparring gloves. I held them up.
“Oh?” I looked at him.
“You said you wanted to train… I prefer you have better shoes and protection for your knuckles,” he said.
