Page 11 of Threads of Kindness
“The news about Sunday and Josh is wonderful,” Maggie said. “Lyla is over the moon.”
“Robert was in the den with us. Living in England until recently, he’s not into U.S. sports. So, while we watched the games, he talked about Josh and Sunday and the happy life he and Lyla are building. I agree with you—it’s wonderful.”
Maggie pulled back and looked at him. “Are you hungry?”
“I stuffed myself at the potluck. I don’t need anything else tonight.”
“Me too,” Maggie said. “I think I’ll go upstairs and get ready for bed. But there’s one thing I need to do before that.”
John studied her face.
“I’ve got one little gift for you,” Maggie said. “I’d like you to open it before I head up.”
“I thought we agreed not to exchange gifts this year,” John said. “We were going to take a week off and go somewhere this winter instead.”
“We’re still doing that,” Maggie said. “But I found something you had to have. I couldn’t resist. It’s fine if you don’t have a gift for me. That was our agreement.”
“Well, as it turns out, I found something I knew you needed, too,” John said.
“Well then,” Maggie said with a smile, “let’s exchange our gifts in the living room.”
“I’ll start the fire again,” John offered. “Let’s sit by the hearth to open them.”
“Perfect,” Maggie said. “My gift is in my closet. I’ll bring it down.”
“I hid mine behind the tree,” John said.
I looked between them, quivering with anticipation. I adored surprises. Suddenly, this day was looking up.
John got the fire going.
Maggie retrieved her gift from her closet and returned to the living room. She handed him a square box, about the size of a watch box.
John pulled off the red and green plaid bow and tore the wrapping. He chuckled as soon as he saw the manufacturer’s logo.
“This is perfect,” he said. “I’ve been wanting one of these for ages.”
I hovered over John’s shoulder, straining for a better view. It looked like a regular coffee mug, but the bottom was thicker and emitted a pulsing red glow. The mug came with a matching disc. This was one of those newfangled gadgets we didn’t have in my day.
“I know,” Maggie said. “Everyone who has one of these rechargeable heated mugs swears by it. I figured you could take it to the animal hospital. You’re so busy, you never get to finish a cup of coffee. I’m sure it’s stone cold by the time you get back to it.”
“That’s exactly right,” John said, his eyes twinkling. “Your turn.” He picked up another small box and handed it to her.
Maggie pulled off the stick-on bow easily but then struggled with the layers of tape John used when wrapping packages.
“Honestly, John,” she laughed, “I’ll need power tools to open this.”
“Here, let me get a corner started,” he said, tearing a piece of the paper for her.
Maggie finished unwrapping the gift. They both burst into laughter.
“This was a really good gift,” she said.
I floated to John’s other side for a better look. He had gotten her the same thing—only in rose gold instead of gray.
“I know how focused you get when you’re working at your computer,” he said. “You ignore your coffee for hours. I figured this fancy new warming mug would be perfect for you.”
“Thank you,” Maggie said. “When I bought yours, I thought about getting one for myself. The price tag stopped me, but I’m thrilled to have it.”
