The Best Worst Gift Ever
Cheap Seats Revelation • Superhero Envy
Three Line Conversations
Cheap Seats Revelation
“This game is incredibly boring.”
“Perhaps it’s because the season doesn’t start for a month, and there is no one out there.”
“Fair point.”
Walt & Stan
Superhero Envy
Some superpowers don’t get any respect.
Story
The Best Worst Gift Ever
It was our 25th wedding anniversary. It had been a good twenty-five years. We had raised two great boys, had a charming home, and I still looked pretty good for my age.
We had worn the rough edges off each other and learned to get along. We were still in love. It was different now, of course. More comfortable. But deeper. I couldn’t imagine life without Dan.
We decided to have dinner at home. Dan cooked my favorite. Chicken Cordon-Bleu. I realize I am lucky to have a husband who can cook. It was delicious. Afterward, we exchanged gifts.
“I got you something,” he said as if it was unexpected.
“Me first,” I said and handed him an envelope. Inside was a card he could care less about. But inside the card were season tickets to the Bulls. They were crazy expensive, and I had to pull some strings to get them, but he is worth it.
Of course, he was ecstatic.
“I’ll be right back,” he said.
He returned with band new carry-on bag. A yellow bow stuck to the top.
A carry-on bag! I was furious. Twenty-five years, and he buys me luggage? I got up without saying a word and walked out the front door.
Dan followed me to the door and said, “Wait!”
It was too late. I didn’t want to hear his excuses or apologies. I was too mad to talk. I started to walk faster.
I must have walked for close to half an hour. Running through our life together in my mind. We weren’t newlyweds. How could he be so insensitive?
When I got home, Dan was gone. The dishes were done. That stupid carry-on bag was sitting on the table with a note taped to it. The note read: “You didn’t finish opening your gift.”
I unzipped the carry-on bag. Inside were two tickets to Paris.
I started to cry.
Happy Monday. Thanks for reading and responding. You make it fun.
Mark
Golly, Mark. What a sweet story. Reminds me a bit of O.Henry. I loved this line: "We had worn the rough edges off each other and learned to get along." That is exactly what it takes.
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